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Fall 2006 Our Archives: Is there Anything Still Out There to Collect? by Patrick Browne
Yes, the collection is certainly still growing. Duxbury related papers and photographs are constantly being generously donated by a broad variety of families and organizations. They come from near and far, from attics and from E-bay. Some are even left anonymously on our doorstep. To provide an indication of exactly what we are collecting, listed below is a sampling of items that have been donated or acquired for the archives in the past few months, in no particular order: · Duxbury Ledger of Asa Delano. Accounts spanning 1807-1826 related to his work as a carpenter, carter, and hauler. 350+ pages. Purchased from Dan Casavant Rare Books. · Barbara Vaughan Woodward—Reminiscences of a World War II Naval Family in Plymouth County compiled by James D. Carl, 43 pages with photographs. The Woodward family lived in Duxbury after WWII. Mr. Woodward taught high school here. Donated by James D. Carl. · Letter on the history of 341 King Caesar Road with disk of photographs of the interior and exterior. Donated by Prilla Smith Brackett, former resident. · Alden House History: A Work in Progress by James Baker, 2006. 2 copies donated by the Alden Kindred of America. · 56 early 20th century postcards of Duxbury and the vicinity. Donated by the Washburn-Norlands Living History Center, Livermore, ME, August 3, 2006 · Two photos of a 1941 Duxbury gathering. Donated by David Mittell. · Papers of Benjamin and Joseph Boylston of Duxbury c.1839-c.1878, donated by Rockland Trust. 1 box consisting of: § Daybook, 1845 § District No. 10 Book, Minutes of the School Board Meetings in Crooked Lane, Duxbury § Daybook of Joseph Boylston, 1839 § Daybook of Benjamin Boylston, 1858 § Journal of Joseph Boylston, 1852 § Daybook 1876 § Daybook 1878 § Miscellaneous papers relating mostly to Benjamin Boyslton of Duxbury consisting of letters, deeds, receipts, etc.—approximately 150 pieces. · Two certificates for Duxbury Playhouse stock shares, 1949. Donated by Dr. Richard Schiff. · History of Engine House #1, Washington Street, and dateboard research by Tony Kelso. · 18 slides of Duxbury Bay and vicinity in the 1950s and 60s. Donated by Sally Sawyer. · 31 photographs of King Caesar House, Myles Standish Monument and Gershom Bradford House c. 1990. Donated by the Plymouth County Convention and Visitors Bureau. · Four photos of gatherings at the Winsor House tavern and restaurant c.1945. Donated by Dr. Richard Schiff 2006. · History of Duxbury by Justin Winsor, first edition with special ornamental cover and slipcase, 1849. Anonymous donor. · Six 8x10 photographs of Powder Point and boating on Duxbury Bay c. 1905-1910. Donated by Anna Millar. · Nine 4x6 photographs of Duxbury beachgoers (1950s) and the 1938 Duxbury Yacht Club Show. Donated by Alice Walker Loehlin. · Box of material pertaining to Duxbury Hall and Chorley Church in Chorley, Lancashire, England. Donated by the Chorley St. Laurence Historical Society § Brochure, “The Duxbury Hall Trail,” a guide to the grounds of Duxbury Hall. Although a coach house, stable, barns and gardens still stand, Duxbury Hall itself no longer survives. § Brochure, “The Myles Standish Festival, March 2005” § Print of Chorley Church, pre-1860 § Photo of Chorley Church, 2005 § Book, Chorley Church by John Wilson, 1914 As you can see, there is plenty to collect. We regularly receive materials pertaining to Duxbury in the 20th, 19th and (when we’re very fortunate) even the 18th century. Regardless of age or subject matter, all such papers serve to document the fascinating people who have lived in and made their mark on this town. If you own papers similar to those listed above and are interested in donating them to the Society, we hope you’ll contact us. We look forward to the day soon approaching when we will have a safe place in which to preserve these documents. We will then be able to forge ahead in seeking out larger collections with the confidence that we have the means to care for them.# |
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Send mail to
pbrowne@duxburyhistory.org with
questions or comments about this web site.
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With the
exciting Wright Building project underway, the Society’s focus lately is
certainly on our archives. The collection is one of Duxbury’s great treasures
and we’ve been working to promote its importance throughout the community. As
we do so, we often get some very good questions about the collection and its
composition. For instance, we recently had someone ask if the collection is
still growing and, if so, what exactly were we collecting?