Looking for something to do now that school is out for the summer? Why not come to the Salmon Brook Historical Society on a Sunday afternoon and learn about the history of the town we live in? Tour the society’s five buildings to see how Granby has evolved to what it is today.
In the Weed-Enders House, learn about life on their farm in West Granby. The 19th century home is a much smaller house than the Abijah Rowe House. You’ll see pictures of how the house was transported from Enders State Forest in three sections in 1974 and attached to the Rowe House at the Salmon Brook Historical Society.
At the Rowe house, you will learn how Abijah Rowe and his wife Debbie raised 13 children in 1758. As time progressed in Granby, well-to-do residents had social events and parties in their homes. In some parlors, the men smoked cigars and spit tobacco juice into spittoons as the women socialized in another room. Kids can see the toy room upstairs and learn what games were played and see the dolls that childen played with 100 years ago.
All the toys, plates, table settings, tables, chairs and musical instruments were donated by Granby families including Loomis, Case, Maltbie, Hayes, Bunce, Edwards, Shattuck, Colton and others. These families’ donations allow people to continue learning about their town.
From the two houses, you can visit the Tobacco Barn, built by Fred Colton in 1914. The Barn Museum, which opened in 1994, exhibits how Granby families lived. See how tobacco was harvested and cured, as well as the tools that carpenters, ice makers, shoemakers and blacksmiths used for their trade. You will also see what the old Loomis Store looked like in 1910, and items used in the Pendleton Hospital around 1925.
In the Preservation Barn, see a real 19th century horse-drawn hearse. Also there are the Civil War artifacts of Colonel Richard Holcomb and drums made by the Granville Drum factory in Granville, Mass.
The last stop on our tour is the only one-room schoolhouse still in existence in Granby, the Cooley School House, last used by Granby students 77 years ago. The original desks and chalkboard are still inside!
So, bring your friends or families down to the Salmon Brook Historical Society and see Granby history come alive as you learn about your town. The society is open every Sunday afternoon from 2 to 4 p.m., and a donation of five dollars is appreciated.
Consider becoming a member by calling 860-653-9713, or visiting salmonbrookhistoricalsociety.com
The special summer exhibit, “Here Comes the Bride–Wedding Gowns from Granby’s Past,” is a collection of wedding gowns and bridal accessories worn by Granby brides from 1866 through 1954. The exhibit is included with admission.