Salmon Brook Historical Society offers open house tours

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The Summer Open House Tours began Sunday June 2, and will continue every Sunday thru Sept. 29 except Sept. 1. The hours are 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. Our Stitch in Time exhibit located in the Preservation Barn features two antique sewing machines and a variety of textiles and sewing items used by women in the 19th century. Have you ever used a treadle sewing machine? For our very first interactive display, a treadle sewing machine will be on display for visitors to try their hands and feet at. 

On display through July 14 is the Circa 1830s Eight-Pointed Star Quilt along with a completely handmade reproduction lovingly made over the last seven years by SBHS members and Farmington Valley area quilters. The original quilt from Granby is extremely fragile and will be returned to storage, but the beautiful reproduction is a must see and will remain on display through the end of the summer.  Don’t miss the circa 1830s maternity dress and a recently acquired circa 1850 cheese press on temporary display

The Colton-Hayes Tobacco Barn c. 1914 was built by Fred M. Colton and donated to the society in 1976 by his daughters. Visiting the barn, you get a sense of life in Granby during the 19th and early 20th century through a recreation of an early Meeting House, Village Store, Dressmaker Shop, Shoemaker Shop and Creamery. Displays include Indian artifacts, spinning wheels and tools for quilting, spinning and weaving. Other instances of rural life are showcased in displays consisting of cider mill tools, grist mills, blacksmithing, maple sugaring, hog slaughtering, bee keeping, harness making and ice cutting. A tree was found in West Granby with Civil War era names carved into it and is on display at the back of the barn.

Don’t miss the Cooley School House c. 1870. This one room schoolhouse was originally located in North Granby and relocated to the society’s campus in 1980. When originally built, the school was located in Granby while the outhouse was in Southwick, Mass. The blackboard is original and contains the last teacher’s arithmetic problems. 

Built by Moses Weed, the Weed-Enders House c. 1790 was originally located in West Granby. In 1924 John Enders purchased the house and used it as a hunting cabin. This house includes a Victorian parlor, a room where donations are accessioned and the museum store where you can find old maps, Granby history books, vintage cards and many more items. 

An interior hallway leads to the Abijah Rowe House c. 1732. This house was donated to the society in 1966 by the Colton sisters, daughters of Fred M. Colton. Original features include the paneling and corner cupboard in the south parlor. 

The house is furnished by donations from Mary Edwards. On the second floor you will find Victorian toys, an antique doll house and doll collection.Find us online at salmonbrookhistoricalsociety.com, and also on Facebook.