ENJOY PLYMOUTH'S 250TH CELEBRATION
Article by Mary Emma Allen Photo by Jim Allen
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George H. Borst famed Boy Scout
Statue |
Experience the excitement of celebrations in various towns, villages
and cities as you travel. These may commemorate historical events or
present day festivities. However, they'll bring enjoyment to your
visits in those locations.
Plymouth, NH, this year, celebrates its
250th anniversary
with a variety of events. This small town, where I live, has
much historical significance and present day interest,
characteristics you'll find in other parts of America as well.
The historical society, chamber of commerce, town library,
merchants, townspeople, and Plymouth State University have joined
together to present events highlighting the historical and current
significance of the town.
As you visit Plymouth and other celebrations, you'll discover facts
of interest.
DID YOU KNOW (in Plymouth) that.....
- Babe Ruth and other Red Sox players special
ordered their baseballs and gloves from the D & M (Draper Maynard)
Manufacturing Co? (Louise Samaha McCormack, researcher on this
topic, gave an informative presentation in February about the D & M
Co.) You'll also find an ongoing display at Plymouth State
University, located in the former D & M Building, now the
university's art center.
- Plymouth was the center of skiing in NH in
the 1930s with numerous ski slopes, including one founded by Wendy
Hilty, a noted skier from Switzerland. Snow trains from Boston and
New York City brought skiers to the area. (In March, ski historian
John Allen presented a program on Plymouth as a ski destination.)
- Author Nathaniel Hawthorne visited Plymouth
and unexpectedly died there of apparently unknown causes.
- A number of houses operated stations, with
secret rooms, on the Underground Railroad during the Civil War era.
Noted abolitionist, William Lloyd Garrison, visited the town but was
refused permission to lecture there. So he gave his talk in a pine
grove in the adjoining town of Holderness.
- A rare drinking fountain with Boy Scout
statue stands on the village common and was created by famed
sculptor, George H. Borst of Philadelphia.
ONGOING PROGRAMS
As is typical of many celebrations, there are ongoing programs in
Plymouth, which may correspond with your travels.
- One-room school houses provided education
for residents of the town, some of whom are still living. Rondi
Garron has researched these institutions and gives a presentation in
May. She also is compiling a book on her findings.
- The history of the Plymouth Fair, a long
time an annual summer event in the state, will be presented by Dick
Flanders in April.
- Remembering Plymouth through Post Cards is
the event in June, presented by Ross Deachman.
PLYMOUTH HIGHLIGHT WEEKEND
Culminating the 250th anniversary, July 19-21, will be a
significant celebration encompassing a parade, fireworks, train
ride, historic walking tours, singing, dancing, art exhibit and more
CHECK OUT EVENTS ACROSS AMERICA - Wherever you're planning to
travel, check out the area for celebrations - fairs, historical
gatherings, anniversaries, festivals and more. These will contribute
greatly to your exploration of America.
(I've written about the history of Plymouth for newspapers and
magazines for many years and am compiling a book of my articles. I
also have written children's stories based in Plymouth and plan to
make these into books. For more information, e-mail me:
me.allen@juno.com )
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