The Rochester Historical Society, begun in 1967, has been around long enough to be considered historical in its own right. Like any organization with longevity, it has undergone changes over the years.             The Society founders bonded over discovering the histories of their old homes and also creating maps of Rochester through its over 200 […] Read more »

One very interesting donation that the Historical Society received this year was a “six-board chest.” This good-sized wooden chest is -have you guessed it? – made of exactly six boards – top, bottom, front, back and ends. The chest is 44″x 20″x 18″, so we know a good-sized tree must have been involved.          Written […] Read more »

Sippizine, the South Coast Massachusetts literary journal showcasing local creative talent, proudly announces the release of its fourth volume. Centered on the theme of “Home,” this issue brings together local voices with prose, poetry, and visual art.          The fourth volume features prose and poetry from Lenore Balliro, Anne-Marie Grillo, Amanda Lawrence, Lilo, Joan McKinley, […] Read more »

The Mattapoisett Free Public Library’s Teen Advisory Board (TAB) requests your help collecting new hats, gloves, and white socks through January 15.          TAB understands that winter can be especially tough for veterans, so our members have partnered with The Veterans Transition House in New Bedford to help. Your donations of NEW hats, gloves, and […] Read more »

The Mattapoisett Historical Commission is pleased to announce that Phase One of the multi-phase community-wide survey of the Town of Mattapoisett’s historic and cultural resources has been completed by preservation consultant, Lynn Smiledge. The project was funded by a grant from the Community Preservation Act and the Massachusetts Historical Commission.             Identification and documentation of […] Read more »

Turning Point, the day resource center of Wareham Area Committee for the Homeless (WACH), is looking for the public’s help to ensure area children in need enjoy the Magic of the Holidays.             Turning Point’s “Holiday Magic” Outreach Program provides clothing and gifts to those that qualify for assistance from the towns of Wareham, Buzzards […] Read more »

As I’ve mentioned before, Abraham Holmes doesn’t make much mention of either Christmas or Thanksgiving. This is not surprising as the Puritan influence was strong. Christmas and Thanksgiving weren’t official national holidays until 1863.             While we live in a state where the first Thanksgiving occurred in the 1620’s, the idea of a national day […] Read more »

The rafters of the Mattapoisett Museum rang with excitement when Center School’s curious and eager 1st graders visited. Welcomed by Curator Connor Gaudet, they quickly settled in their seats and were ready to learn about Mattapoisett’s past.             Gaudet showed the attentive first graders two rocks to explain what an artifact was. He explained that […] Read more »

The Mattapoisett Congregational Church would like to invite the community to several special events to kick off the Advent season with the first Sunday in Advent on December 1 at 10:00 am as we light the Candle of Hope.             The Holiday Fair will be held on December 7 from 9:00 am to 1:00 pm […] Read more »

The collection at the Rochester Historical Museum consists of papers, books, newspaper clippings, maps and more. It also includes more concrete items most of which have been donated by people who realize the historical significance of items in their homes or businesses.             Recently, we had a visit from Albert Foster and his wife from […] Read more »