Fair Haven to host Local History Day
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By Gordon Dritschilo Staff Writer - Published: July 9, 2009
The Fair Haven Historical Society wants to fill a void.
The void was created late last year when the Vermont Historical Society announced it had canceled the Vermont History Expo, which drew an estimated 5,000 people to the Tunbridge Fairgrounds for exhibits and re-enactments.
"That was a big extravaganza," Fair Haven Historical Society President Victoria Angis said. "It's a big deal. Our historical society has participated for years and really enjoys the opportunity to see what other people are doing and learn new things."
Angis said the group was disappointed when the Expo was canceled and wanted to do something for local history buffs. So, she said, they joined with the Fair Haven Area Farmers Market to plan Local History Day, which will run from noon to 5 p.m. Sunday, July 19, on the town green.
Angis said the group hopes to attract other historical societies disappointed by the cancellation of the Expo.
"We've invited Addison County, Rutland County and a few south of us," she said. "I'm sure Castleton will show up. We've had some inquiries from people, but nothing confirmed."
Fair Haven got the Vermont Historical Society's blessing, Angis said, along with a request not to call the event an "expo."
"A lot of historical societies have ventured forth and are having their own gatherings," said Vermont Historical Society spokeswoman Julie Nelson. She said events in Windham County and the White River Valley are scheduled for August.
Angis said her group expects to display some of the books they put out, but their exhibit will consist largely of work done over the years by students at the Fair Haven Grade School. She said history classes there have produced models of old churches and factories in town.
The Fair Haven Historical Society will also promote its "post project" at the event, in which it is raising money to replace wooden posts on the fence around the park with marble ones.
Nelson said the Vermont Historical Society would resume the Expo in 2010, and has scheduled it for late June and set the theme as "Back to the Land Again." Promotional materials said exhibits will look at how techniques from Vermont's past help Vermonters get through troubled times in the present.
gordon.dritschilo@rutlandherald.com
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