The Rochester Historical Society will be at the Plumb Library on Saturday, December 14 from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm. At the Christmas Fair we will be selling all of our Rochester items which make great holiday gifts. We will have our 4 styles of sweatshirts-full zip, hoodie, crewneck and 1/4 zip. Also, t-shirts, denim shirts, hats, and our new long-sleeve T-shirts. We’ll have maps, books, Rochester themed Tic Tac Toes, cup plates and small boxes. Stop by to say “hi” and you can even join or renew your membership.
On December 15 at 2:00 pm, Bruce Gardzina, an organist for over 50 years, will be playing holiday songs on our rare Vocalion organ built in 1893. Like all of us as we age, it has a few aches and pains (which we have plans to fix soon), but it is eminently playable. Bruce is able to make beautiful music fill the church/museum. There is something magical about listening to music on an organ from the 1800’s in a church built in 1857, especially when the sunlight streams through the stain glass window. There will be refreshments to follow the concert. All are welcome.
On December 18, beginning at 6:30 pm, we are having a Christmas party and music will be a big part of it. At 7:00 pm, we will have some holiday trumpet solos played by Andrew Cody, a sixth grader at Rochester Memorial, and then we will all join in carol singing (or listening) led by Sheila and Tom Perry who have headlined many musical nights for the Historical Society. We will be serving cocoa and cookies to round out the night.
Both events are at the Rochester Historical Society Museum at 355 County Rd., Rochester and all are welcome. We are requesting attendees to bring an unwrapped toy for a child or teen. Anyone with questions may call Connie at 617-750-2818 or Sue at 508-295-8908.
As part of the Rochester Historical Commission Historic Plaque program, the Commission has presented a historic plaque to the North Rochester Church. The plaque is shown here being held by Commission members, Tim Bates and Sue La Fleur. While this church building built in 1841 is old, it is not the original North Rochester Congregational Church building.
The first North Rochester Church was about a mile from today’s church and was built in 1748. A second meetinghouse was built on the same location as today’s in 1791 and then today’s church was built in 1841.
The Historic Plaque program is open to anyone with an antique home. All the information needed can be found on the town’s web site under the Historical Commission. Application and a check may be left at town Hall or mailed there.