Last year’s exhibit at the Rochester Historical Society Museum was Maps, Signs and Celebrations. As so often happens when we start looking in closets and behind cabinets, we found more maps and signs than we expected. In addition, it became apparent that when it came to Rochester celebrating an anniversary, less was never more.
That brings us to our new exhibit aptly named Maps, Signs and Celebrations; Part II. In our new exhibit we have signs of all kinds from one of the old church signs to a sign that lists all the rules that campers were supposed to follow at the old Knight and Look Campground.
Two new related donations to the museum are the Bettencourt’s sign and the bench (pictured here) that once sat on the store’s front porch. Both were donated by Jan Bettencourt. The bench was a favorite of Hartley Sawmill workers who would cross the street and sit on it to eat their lunch. Some even carved their initials into the wood.
We are proud of our yearly exhibits and feel that they shine a light on various aspects of Rochester history. The cost of materials for the exhibits would take a big chunk of our budget if it weren’t for the support of the Rochester Cultural Council, a local agency, supported by the Massachusetts Cultural Council, a state agency.
The grants we have received have helped with the cost of paper, ink, mounting material, and especially, for these last two exhibits, the cost of Plexiglas sheets to protect original maps and pictures. In addition, it made it possible for us to buy good quality magnifying glasses so visitors could better read the map details.
We will try to be open on Sundays from 1:00-3:00 throughout the Fall. It’s best to check with Connie, 617-750-2818 or Sue 508-295-8908 to make sure that we have someone to staff the museum. We will be open on Sunday, 10/15 from 1:00-3:00.
By Connie Eshbach