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 years. With each map moving from century to century, they added roads, businesses and homes of residents with the names of the people living there at the time.
Because the Society had no building to call its own, meetings were held at the homes of members, often accompanied by a meal. Any items donated to the group had to be stored at these same member’s homes. Most meetings were for members only. Many projects were proposed and there was a constant search for a place to make it into a museum.
They held antique shows, helped plan the celebrations for the Bicentennial and more whole-heartedly, the 300th anniversary of Rochester. They conducted historic tours of town, spoke about the town’s history to groups, and held Thankful suppers,
Finally, in 2003, the East Rochester Congregational Church became the Rochester Historical Society Museum. In the following 21 years, the mission of the Society has expanded with most if not all meetings and events open to the public. Monthly meetings with speakers sharing historical knowledge or expertise, yearly exhibits, along with bake sales, an annual yard sale, concerts and special outdoor events have helped us to share Rochester’s history.
In the past, the Society had Christmas parties for the members. The picture shows Betty Beaulieu sharing her Christmas wish with Santa Claus. When my husband and I first joined the Historical Society and attended a Christmas party, Anna White was happy to see me, assuming, that as Marion Hartley’s (church organist and expert pianist) granddaughter, I would be able to take over the piano playing duties. I had to disappoint her as my few years of lessons left me with only the ability to find middle C on any piano.
The museum’s piano hasn’t been played in years, but that isn’t standing in our way. Inspired by the many dolls, games and toys in our current exhibit, we are having a Christmas party. As always, we’re inviting everyone (not just members) to join us at the museum at 355 County Rd. on December 18 at 6:30 pm. Come and see our decorated church and play with some of the exhibit items.
Then at 7:00 pm, the musical part of the party begins (if you can only attend this part, that’s fine). First, sixth grader, Andrew Cody, will entertain us with some trumpet solos. You may have heard him perform in October at the SAR ceremony at Rochester Center cemetery. After that, we’ll join Sheila and Tom Perry in singing holiday songs. We’ll have cookies and cocoa to finish the evening.
We are asking attendees to bring an unwrapped gift for a teen or child.
On the Sunday before the Christmas party, we will be having what has become our annual holiday organ concert. Organist, Bruce Gardzina, is back and will be playing our rare Vocalion organ at 2:00 on Dec. 15th. The concert will be followed by refreshments and conversations.
Again, an unwrapped gift can be brought to the organ concert.
By Connie Eshbach
