Granby Drummer (https://granbydrummer.com/category/history/page/2/)
As the Salmon Brook Historical Society prepares to celebrate 80 years of preserving Granby’s history in 2025, it proudly reflects on the progress it has made—and the strong foundation it continues to build for the future.
Next year marks the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence and the birth of our nation. At the Salmon Brook Historical Society, a notable book in our library from our 200th anniversary in 1976 continues to offer insight into the early history of our republic. Trumpets of Glory, written by Henry Hawken, focuses on July 4th speeches and orations delivered between 1786 and 1861.
Textile volunteers at the Salmon Brook Historical Society happened across a blue wool military coat last year. The coat appeared to be from the Civil War era. A detailed search of our records found no information about this coat, but a handwritten signature was discovered inside its left sleeve. In flourishing cursive, it states “C. A. Coffin, Co. A.”
In the final days of the school year, students at Granby Memorial High School receive their yearbooks and flip through the pages filled with memories, signatures and well wishes. It is a beloved tradition that has endured for generations.
I recently found a small book, The American Soldier’s Creed, in my grandfather’s papers. My grandfather, Elmer C. Vreeland, proudly served in WWI and the creed (reprinted in this article) depicts the ideals for which his generation was fighting.
Tucked away off Canton Road lies an abandoned elementary school— named the Frank Kearns School. Though the building now stands empty and may soon be replaced by new development, the legacy of the man behind the name should not be lost to time. Frank Kearns, a dedicated public servant and visionary, made lasting contributions to education and agriculture in Granby. His story deserves to be told.
First the loom, now the hearth: ready for action
Previous parades honoring those who gave their lives for our freedom
The Consolidated School and Getting to know Jean Potetz
Here we are at the culmination of our five-part series. We started with Granby’s Congregational church life and added the Connecticut River Valley’s Great Awakening, plus the church’s harsh response. This awakening moved to the Southern colonies, resulting in yet harsher persecution by the Episcopal Church of Virginia. Madison and Jefferson were instrumental in the Virginia Declaration of Rights in 1776, but how did their religious freedom idea get to be the First Amendment to the Constitution in 1789, 13 years later?