As the curator of Salmon Brook Historical Society, Martha Miller is responsible for collecting, exhibiting, maintaining and protecting objects of historic importance to Granby. She meets with people wishing to donate items, and coordinates with more than 20 volunteers on fund-raising events including the spring and fall flea markets and Appraisal Day. She plans the society’s annual meeting and dinner in April and the Holiday Wassail Party in December.
On Tuesday and Thursday mornings, when SBHS is open, Miller will be found in the middle of an activity, a meeting, or a decision-making group. Her involvement does not end at noon on these days. It is rare that she is not called upon to handle a SBHS matter on other days of the week, including weekends.
A specific interest of Miller’s has been her involvement with Granby Art Conservator David Kimball in the creation of a catalogue raisonné for the paintings of Granby artist Aaron Draper Shattuck (1832-1928). Miller has displayed the 16 Shattuck paintings owned by SBHS on the walls of her office, creating a mini-gallery.
Most recently she has been intimately involved with the planning and work, currently in progress, to prepare the Captain Sadoce Wilcox House (built in 1800 and acquired by SBHS in 2020) for public viewing. In particular, she successfully oversaw the delicate process of moving the 18th-century loom found in the attic of the house to the first floor. She located people who had the specialized skills to restore the loom to working order — and searched out weavers who demonstrate their art on the loom on visitor days.
SBHS is indeed fortunate to have Miller in their midst. She embodies the upbeat personality, energy, and patience so critical for success in a people-intense position. In her spare time, Miller visits with daughters and friends, shops at T.J. Maxx, and plays cribbage. She and Petunia, her cuddly little pup, can often be seen welcoming the day at Salmon Brook Park.