USA > New Hampshire > Cheshire County > Walpole > A history of Walpole, New Hampshire, Volume I > Part 59
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Anxiety and concern were widespread. As usual in such circumstances a few energetic, interested people moved to action. The Rev. Robert M. L. Holt of the Unitarian Church telephoned Mrs. Thorndike H. Endi- cott in Boston. Her unfailing interest in Walpole and her indomitable spirit gave assurance that in some way funds could be found to save the
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property from commercial use. Until money could be raised she suggested that it might be borrowed. Through the interest and help of Dwight W. Harris, Treasurer of the Savings Bank of Walpole, a loan was arranged and the property purchased.
This marked the beginning of the Walpole Historical Society. On August 11, 1930, the first meeting of the incorporators was held at the Savings Bank of Walpole, called to order by Dwight W. Harris. Bylaws were adopted and a public meeting was scheduled for August 18, 1930 at the Bridge Memorial Library. At the public meeting the following officers and directors were elected: President, Arthur P. Davis; Vice President, Rev. Robert M. L. Holt; Clerk, Mary Bellows Quincy; Treas- urer, Herbert R. Tucker; Directors, Mary Bates, Fanny P. Mason, Mar- garet McG. Sparhawk, Langdon Bellows, Ellen B. Endicott, Andrew R. Butler, Agnes C. Bunker, Mrs. C. P. Howland, Mrs. Robert A. Hubbard, Hermon O. Woodward, Charles H. Barnes, Dwight W. Harris.
Incorporation under the laws of the State of New Hampshire was ac- complished.
The property at Turnpike and North Main Streets was retained by the Society until 1948. At that time the rooms available to the Society were not fully adequate for the growing collection. In addition, the problems of landlord, the house being rented, became onerous. Mrs. Ma- bel Cole bought the property. The proceeds of the sale were set aside until a suitable home for the Society's collection could be found.
In June of 1950 it was learned that the Walpole Academy building, until then in use as a high school, was to be sold at auction. It was said that one prospective buyer intended to use the grounds for house lots. A meeting of the Historical Society was called and all interested townspeo- ple were invited to attend. Once again Mrs. Endicott urged that some- thing be done to save an historic building with its long sloping lawn to Main Street. She suggested it as a museum for the Society and it was voted to try to obtain the Academy for that purpose.
September 2, 1950, was the auction day and a large gallery gathered on the Academy grounds. Mr. F. Dana Hooper, appointed to bid for the Society, in good voice and good courage, carried on the bidding until it was knocked down to the Society for $8000. The Society had a new home, but at a far higher figure than had been planned. Messrs. Arthur H. Bunker, Austin I. Hubbard and Samuel A. Lewis most generously provided substantial financial aid to make the purchase possible.
At this writing, twelve years later, what appeared to be a vast expanse
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of room for future collections is filled. The Academy, through the gen- erosity of townspeople, descendants of former residents and friends, has acquired a good collection of furniture, utensils, artifacts, books, early records and art objects. Outstanding is its collection of old costumes and apparel, ranging in style over a century and a half.
The history of a society is the history of the devoted people who have given of their time, energy, talents and money to make their ideals come to being. No list of them can ever be complete. There is scarcely a family in town which has not helped in some way. Yet some stand out.
The dedicated service of two curators, Mrs. A. M. Bragg and Mr. Her- bert R. Tucker, has made noteworthy exhibits of the many gifts to the Society. Mrs. Thorndike H. Endicott, interested and active as a director in almost all phases of the Society's work has been especially notable for fund raising activity. Mrs. Guy H. Bemis, as president and a director, has been tireless in efficient management of various displays, dinners and the collections. Mrs. Edward L. Cutter, an officer and director for many years, has helped everyone in many ways. Mrs. Robert A. Hubbard, in charge of Ways and Means for the first seven years of the Society and President for eight years, gave generously of herself in those difficult starting years. Pageants, teas and exhibitions run by her, not only kept the Society in the town's consciousnesss but provided the funds for existence during the early and the war years. Mr. Herbert R. Tucker's good work has been sustained for over 32 years, occupying almost every office in the Society.
The presidents of the Walpole Historical Society and their tenure are listed below.
Mr. Arthur P. Davis
1930-1937
Miss Emily M. Jennison
1937-1938
Mrs. Robert A. Hubbard
1938-1946
Mr. Donald E. Hubbard
1946-1948
Dr. Charles Houghton
1948-1949
Mr. Herbert R. Tucker
1949-1952
Miss Jessie M. Graves
1952-1954
Mrs. Guy H. Bemis
1954-1958
Mr. Stephen B. Williams
1958-1959
Mrs. Howard S. Andros
1959-1961
Mr. Donald H. Spitzli
1961-
THE NEIGHBORHOOD PARTY CLUB OF WALPOLE (N.P. CLUB)
This club began several years before the outbreak of World War I. It started when Mrs. Herbert Smith, who lived on a farm outside of Wal-
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pole Village, invited a few neighbors to her home for an afternoon of sociability and sewing. This affair was enjoyed so much that they decided to meet every two weeks, bringing their own sewing and refreshments and spend a few hours together.
The group consisted of Mrs. Will Leonard, Mrs. Warren Kingsbury, Mrs. Warren Thompson, Mrs. John Graves, Mrs. Orrin Ramsay, Mrs. Rose Glynn and Mrs. Daniel Clark.
During World War I these women, with many new members added, devoted themselves wholeheartedly to war work. Knitting for local men in service was done, bandages, blouses and dresses for refugees and many articles for the Red Cross were made. Small dues were assessed on each member to provide the necessities for this work and from that time (1917) records were kept.
After the war the club continued sewing for refugees and needy French babies and also did much for local institutions, such as the Dis- trict Nurse, Keene Hospital, Rockingham Hospital, Franklin Home, Near East Relief, Mousley Hospital, Mothers' Club of Community Health Center of Boston, Daniel Webster Home, Warner Home, Vermont Or- phans' Home, Second World War Relief and Kurn Hattin Homes. Mrs. Albert Dickey was for many years in charge of the sewing and did much to prepare work for the meetings and to finish the various projects.
In addition to the sewing, the Club has contributed to many local projects-the School Nurse, Community Christmas Tree, Infantile Paraly- sis Fund, Marlow-Stoddard Fire Relief, School Library, American Legion, Pre-school Clinic and the Red Cross.
The N. P. Club, as it is known, has kept the name chosen by that small group so many years ago, and still meets, with few exceptions, every two weeks. Since 1917, it has been entirely charitable in purpose and though comparatively small in numbers and limited in funds, the record shows that it has accomplished much.
WALPOLE GRANGE #125 by Vera F. Kenrick
Mr. E. C. Hutchinson, Milford, New Hampshire, State General Deputy, organized Walpole Grange #125-Patrons of Husbandry-December 15, 1887, after securing the required number (30) of farmer signatures.
The officers elected at that time: Master, Alvin Dwinell; Overseer, Charles H. Barnes; Lecturer, Edwin Guild; Steward, Willis Foster; As- sistant Steward, J. B. Russell, Jr .; Chaplain, Warren Thompson; Treas- urer, George R. Jennison; Secretary, A. C. Dickey; Gatekeeper, Norman
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Guild; Pomona, Mrs. Edwin Guild; Flora, Mrs. George R. Jennison; Ceres, Mrs. George Patten; Lady Assistant Steward, Mrs. Willis Foster.
All officers were duly installed at that date, except Ceres and the Secretary, in the Academy Building (present Historical Building). Here they held most of their meetings using the furniture of the Lodge of Good Templars. Members served as janitor, splitting kindling and fur- nishing their own kerosene lamps. In 1897 the Grange had outgrown the Academy Building and moved into the Lower Town Hall. They have held their meetings there regularly except from June 1917 to August 1918 due to the disastrous fire in Town Hall in 1917.
The Walpole Grange was affiliated with the Cheshire Pomona. In 1951 Cheshire County Pomona was redistricted because of large membership and the distance for some of the Grange to travel to the meetings. Two districts were formed, the Monadnock in the southern part of the state and the Cold River Valley in the northern part of which Walpole Grange is a member.
Programs consisted of Agricultural essays and discussions, also vocal and instrumental music; an organ for accompaniment. In 1904 a question to be discussed was for a law regulating automobiles on the public roads.
Scholarships were granted from the Subordinate and Pomona Grange to the New Hampshire College of Agriculture (Cow College) of Durham, New Hampshire, even before it was the University of New Hampshire.
The Secretary and Treasurer were first bonded in 1916. All ledgers for Grange meetings are complete from December 15th to the present date and can be found in Walpole Savings Bank.
Walpole Grange approved of the U. S. Food Administration of World War I. No refreshments were served on Children's Day in 1918 due to war conditions.
First woman to serve as Master was Mrs. Lucy Davis in 1922.
In 1922 a penny collection was voted to be taken at each meeting and to be used by Chaplain for the sick.
Dances have been sponsored by the Grange to raise money for such purposes as to help repair the Grange Hall on Eastern States Exposition grounds following the hurricane; British Aid Benefit 1941; Red Cross; Stoddard, N. H., fire; Christmas Tree Fund and Student Loan.
The Home Economics Committee have collected eyeglasses for "Eyes for Needy"; sent a high school girl to Girls' State; paid the servicemen's dues during their war service.
Today the Grange allows people of all occupations to join the organi- zation and tries to aid Community projects.
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WALPOLE LIONS CLUB
The Club was organized by Mr. James Mills, a representative from the Lions International, chartered March 16, 1954, at the Walpole Inn with one of the largest memberships in the State of New Hampshire.
The main purpose of the Club is eyesight conservation. The Club cooperates with the School Nurse and local doctors in helping any needy person acquire glasses or eye treatment. All expenses for this purpose are earned by Fund Raising Projects put on by the Club.
RUTH KILBURN REBEKAH LODGE #89
On January 11, 1905, in the hall of Mt. Kilburn Lodge #102 in the old hotel that stood where the Post Office is today, Ruth Kilburn Re- bekah Lodge #89 was instituted by the Grand Master, Charles L. Emer- son, assisted by other Grand Lodge officers. The Grand Secretary called the roll of members who had petitioned for a Charter. The list com- prised sixteen names as follows: Henry A. Slade, Agnes Slade, Royal M. Marden, Mary E. Marden, Samuel M. Seabury, Lina F. Seabury, Edward J. Snow, Lora A. Snow, John W. Prentiss, Katie N. Prentiss, Fred A. Ramsay, Mary Ramsay, Willie G. Leonard, Clara E. Leonard, Jennie A. Hawks and Alice M. Kingsbury. Of the sixteen Charter Members Sister Mary Marden is still a member in good standing of this Lodge.
Election of officers resulted as follows: Noble Grand, Agnes Slade; Vice Grand, Alice Kingsbury; Recording Secretary, Lina Seabury; Financial Secretary, Katie Prentiss; Treasurer, Lora Snow; Trustees, Jennie Hawks, Ed J. Snow, Clara Leonard. Twenty-three applications were presented and acted upon. The evening session was called to order at 8:00 P.M. The Grand Master announced the Degree staff of Oasis Re- bekah Lodge #80 of Alstead would confer the degree upon the candidates of the new Lodge. Following came the Installation of Officers by District Deputy President Catherine Fox and staff of Marlow.
As facilities for getting meals were not available in the hall, box sup- pers were held.
In 1916 the Odd Fellows purchased the hall on Turnpike Street and Ruth Kilburn Lodge moved in with them. The Odd Fellows and Re- bekahs held many dances, card parties and suppers. In October 1961 the Rebekahs were told that the Fire Marshal had condemned the building and they would have to find another place to meet, so the Rebekahs moved into the Town Hall.
In October 1961 the following officers were installed by District Deputy
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President Yavonne D. Britton and staff of the Walpole Lodge: Noble Grand, Annie Goodrich; Vice Grand, Carmen Kenyon; Recording Secre- tary, Yavonne D. Britton; Financial Secretary, Marion Nowers; Treas- urer, Alice Shattuck; Chaplain, Etta Harlow; Warden, Helen Enman; Conductor, Helen Gilman; R.S.N.G., Esther Houghton; L.S.N.G., Greta Jameson; R.S.V.G., Lola St. George; L.S.V.G., Ruth Barry; Inside Guard, Carola Graves; Outside Guard, Louis Goodrich; Color Bearer, Helen Graves; Jr. Past N.G., Nancy Christian and Musician, Lillian Smith.
HOMESTEAD GOLF CLUB by Russell Hastings
Golf was introduced to Walpole through the organization of the Homestead Golf Club in July 1898, with Copley Amory, President; John H. Williams of Bellows Falls, Secretary and Treasurer; and Mrs. S. L. M. Post, Member of Executive Committee. The booklet published at the time tells us the links were located "On the West side of the 'Valley Road' about one mile from Walpole Village." They were on the upper part of the Amory pastures where the grazing of both cows and sheep had created favorable conditions for their construction. The Club House was de- signed and constructed by T. Nelson Hastings and dedicated to the Club on Nov. 24, 1899. The reservoir on the property was constructed a few years later by Mr. Amory to provide more adequate fire protection for his rather extensive farm buildings down on the lower road.
It can be said that the club operated successfully until 1914 when it became necessary to surrender the use of the land to its owner who had been leasing it to the club for a nominal fee of "$1 a year". Being unable to find land suitable for another golf links, the Golf Club was dissolved and the Walpole Country Club undertook the moving of the club house to a new site about 3/4 of a mile south of the village on the property of Hudson E. Bridge. To move the building to its new location over nar- row roads and through the village streets, it was sawed into several sections which were then reassembled on the site. With its two new ten- nis courts and its social gatherings the club enjoyed a successful career for about twelve years when it was again decided to make a major change and join forces with the new Hooper Golf Club at the head of Prospect Hill. The old club house was sold in 1926 to its present owner Russell Hastings who at the same time purchased the land on which it stood.
HOOPER GOLF CLUB by John A. Hubbard, Secretary-Treasurer 1962
The Hooper Golf Club was formed June 26, 1926, at a meeting held at the Walpole Inn. The officers elected were President, Raymond
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Bunker; First Vice President, John H. O'Brien; Second Vice President, Dwight W. Harris; Secretary-Treasurer, Reginald Cahalane.
It was voted to name the organization Hooper Golf Club of Walpole in honor of Mr. and Mrs. George L. Hooper, late of Walpole, who willed to the Town of Walpole a tract of land known as Meeting House Hill Farm.
The amount of authorized capital stock was $25,000 divided into shares of the par value of $25.
The Club proposed at this time to lease part of the Meeting House Hill Farm for the construction of a golf course. This proposal was pre- sented to the Selectmen of the Town of Walpole, who called a special meeting July 10, 1926, and voted to accept the proposal.
Wayne E. Stiles of Boston was hired as the architect and the greens were to be constructed by Italian workmen under the direction of Jake DiPucchis. Local labor under the direction of C. S. Bain constructed the fairways.
On August 28, 1926, the Articles of Agreement were signed. Those signing were R. U. Bunker, John H. O'Brien, Dwight W. Harris, Reg- inald Cahalane, Arthur P. Davis, Clarence W. Houghton, Susie B. Flint, and G. F. Wilson. A tentative schedule of membership rates was adopted and a loan was secured from the Savings Bank of Walpole to meet cur- rent expenses. On September 9, 1926, Mr. Lewis Wright was engaged as caretaker and greenskeeper for the Club. On May 6, 1927, it was voted to permit the townspeople of Walpole to use the golf course for regular greens fees. Mr. and Mrs. R. F. Cahalane were engaged to run the Club House which was the old Watkins Tavern at the top of Prospect Hill.
On July 2, 1927, at 10 A.M. the golf course was officially opened. Mr. F. B. Allen drove the first ball followed by President Raymond Bunker. A supper was served to 130 guests with dancing following for the evening.
The Bylaws and Constitution, drawn up by a committee of Mr. Francis B. Allen and Mr. George S. Harris, were approved at the August 1935 annual meeting.
In 1932, through the will of Charles N. Vilas of Alstead, the Club was left $5000 which was voted to be used to reduce the indebtedness of the Club.
Through the efforts of C. A. Bellows in 1938 an amount of $3250 was raised through subscription. This was used to reduce the debt.
During the period of 1957 to 1962 the Club has grown in the number of members and operated at a profit, many people from Keene joining the Club.
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In August 1959 it was voted to amend Article 2 of the Bylaws for tax exemption purposes. This changed the Club to a non-profit organization, paying no dividends to its stockholders.
The following have served as president: Raymond U. Bunker 1926; Dwight W. Harris 1937; Arthur H. Bunker 1940; H. J. Nichols 1946; Holmes Whitmore 1950; S. Trafford Hicks Jr. 1954; George R. Harris 1957; Stephen Williams 1958; Thomas Turner 1960; Albert P. Oot 1962.
INDEPENDENT ORDER OF ODD FELLOWS by Everett E. Houghton
In the spring of 1904 several residents of the Town of Walpole, who were members of the I.O.O.F., decided to see if there were enough men interested in forming a Lodge in Walpole. These original members be- came the Charter Members of the new Lodge. They were: William Galloway, John W. Prentiss, Sr., John Taggard, Royal Harden, Frank Spaulding, Carl Smith, Henry Slade, Ralph Slade, James Snow, Edward Snow, John Warren, Thomas O'Brien, Eugene Smith and Albert Brig- ham.
On the 14th day of July, 1904, at 3:30 p.m., a meeting was called to order by the Grand Officers of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows of New Hampshire for the purpose of Instituting a Lodge in Walpole. This was to be known as Mt. Kilburn Lodge, No. 102, of Walpole, N. H. There were presented at this time forty applications for membership and all, being 21 years of age and residents of the town, were found eligible. The degrees were exemplified by the two neighboring lodges, Bellows Falls No. 23 and Anchor Lodge No. 96 of Alstead who were sponsors of the local lodge. When the last man had received the third degree, the meeting was closed in form at 4:15 a.m., July 15th. With the exception of giving the men time to go home to milk and do chores, from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m., the meeting was open from 3:30 p.m. to 4:15 a.m. A lengthy meeting of any kind!
The first meetings were held in the Town Hall, but during the year 1906 the Lodge moved to the second floor of the old Shirt Factory. The Lodge bought this building in 1916 from Michael W. Murray of Newton- ville, Mass. Meetings in the early days were quite lively and very lengthy. Several times they lasted until 3:00 a.m. These men took everything they did seriously. They lived by the rules of the Lodge. Any member who did not live as he should was brought before the Lodge to account for his actions. The ideals were, and still are, of the highest.
From the first meeting until the time of the first World War, the Lodge prospered. The heavy duties at that time seem to have caused the
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Lodge to have a hard time keeping members interested. The older mem- bers worked hard and, after the War in the late 20's and early 30's Mt. Kilburn Lodge made itself again an order of goodly size. These men are no longer with us; they were devoted to the order and loved and respected by the people of Walpole. Such men of character and stature leave a void that the present generation cannot fill and may never achieve again. They lived at a time when elders were respected and consulted; when there was always someone who needed help and some who cared enough to give it. Some of the Walpole members of the Odd Fellows who met these qualifications were: Warren D. Knowlton, Frank A. Spaulding, William A. Galloway, John W. Prentiss Sr., Russell G. Graves, Fred A. Ramsay, Charles Seward, William Fletcher and Albert Brigham.
The Odd Fellows have had at times nearly 100 members and at other times as few as 20. At this time there seems very little hope that the Lodge can survive for long. There are but a few members left.
WALPOLE PARENT TEACHER ASSOCIATION
The Walpole P.T.A. was established as a branch of the National Con- gress of Parents and Teachers in 1948. Mr. Holmes Whitmore was the first president. From the beginning the Association has met the first Monday evening of each month of the school year. The Association mem- bership grew to 200 by 1951. At this time the Association averages about 175 members.
In its 15 years the P.T.A. has done many fine things for the school and community and for which many people have worked hard on fund- raising projects. One of the first of these was the public address system with radio and phonograph for the present High School soon after it opened. To raise the $2,000.00 needed for this project a community auc- tion was held.
Prior to this large project, the Association had brought the Welch Male Choir to Walpole, using some of the proceeds from this to purchase seven cheer-leader uniforms.
The following are some of the projects which the P.T.A. has helped sponsor and finance: playground equipment, a piano fund at the school, the Community Recreation Council, a Boy Scout Troop and Cub Scout Pack, instruments and equipment for the school music department, and books for the school library.
To raise money for these projects the Dartmouth Glee Club was brought to Walpole in April of 1952, a community minstrel show was sponsored, a food and rummage sale was staged, a radio-TV show with
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Carl Webster Pierce was sponsored and, also in 1955 and 1956 Mrs. Charles Houghton conducted Pop Concerts to augment the music depart- ment fund.
Since 1958 all funds have been raised through the P.T.A. Community- Birthday Calendar which realizes about $350 annually.
However, although these projects have taken much time and energy of the P.T.A. members, another feature of the Association is as important. The programs offered at the monthly meetings are of great interest and value. Some most excellent programs have been presented to the member- ship by our own teachers and some by specialists in the fields of reading, mental health, and guidance, to mention but a few. Very important to the parents have been the programs on planning for the Walpole School development, presented by School Board members from time to time, and new developments in education in New Hampshire, presented by people from the State Board of Education.
MASONS
Columbian Lodge #53 was established June 13, 1827. Sometime later the charter was surrendered until 1861 when it was applied for by Dr. Jesseniah Kittredge, William Mitchell, Jacob B. Burnham, Dr. Hiram Wotkyns and 16 others. It lasted for some years.
GOOD TEMPLARS
On March 21, 1876 23 citizens organized a Lodge of the Independent Order of Good Templars (IOGT) and met weekly for some years. The group was very active with a Dramatic Association, a class in Oratory, a Literary and Debating Club.
OTHER ORGANIZATIONS
In April 1874 an Anglers' Club was organized, its object the "enforce- ment of the laws for the protection of fish and promotion of good fellow- ship and true sportsmanlike feeling among its members." In 1875 the officers were President E. W. Barker, Vice President Josiah G. Bellows, Secretary-Treasurer E. K. Seabury. In October 1930 an Izaak Walton League chapter was organized with 60 members.
In 1913 a Girls' Basketball Club was formed, the officers: President Langdon Bellows, Vice President Lila Pierce, Secretary Minnie Hatha- way, Treasurer Mrs. John McLeod.
In 1916 there was a Thimble Club on the River Road. They were meeting in the evening, enjoying entertainments with as many as 35
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present. They were sure of a good time whenever Edna Ingham enter- tained.
January 8, 1920 a Board of Trade was organized with Dr. Mousley as president, R. M. Peck as secretary, Fred Metcalf as treasurer.
In November 1923 an Outing Club for the purpose of furthering winter sports was organized. The officers were President Dr. Bayard T. Mousley, Vice President Roy Peck, Secretary Rev. Robert M. Holt, Treas- urer Fred A. Metcalf; Executive Committee Oliver Hubbard, W. J. English, George E. Wheeler, Reginald Cahalane, L. C. Fisher. Sixty-eight joined and plans were made for building a ski jump and toboggan slide in Russell Graves' field east of North Main Street.
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