The beauty of the world about us is only
according to what we ourselves bring to it.

Eldress Bertha Lindsey, Shaker Community, Canterbury, New Hampshire

Dear Friends,

Greetings and Happy New Year. Even though we are closed we are still busy with behind the scenes projects and planning for next year. We are working on a new exhibit leading up to the 100th anniversary of Women’s suffrage. This is exciting for us as we have some unusual artifacts relating to Susan B. Anthony. The new exhibit will be on the second floor and hopefully be ready by our reopening in 2017. As we get closer we will be giving more details about the “special items” to be displayed. If you would like to help us with this or any other part of Historic Valentown please let us know. We continue to make improvements to the Town Homestead and Valentown Hall including exhibits and highlights to our Historic Made in America tour.

ANNOUNCEMENT

Barns on the Borderline
A Note in Passing

Do you pass by an old barn in your travels in the area? Historic Valentown is now accepting photos of old barns, barn complexes and barn like structures (in any condition) in the region around the Valentown site. This will be through our 2017 season. You can be a part of recording regional history and help us document the remaining historic barns either still in use, in decline or disappear as many are doing. You may either send a photo or e-mail one to us. Please include the exact location and any history about the barn if you have it. You may also send us old photos (or copies) of barns now gone that were once a part of the landscape. These will be on display (8x10’s) next year on the walls of our historic Ball Room on the 3rd floor at Valentown Hall. After, these beautiful barn photos will be assembled into an album, both digital and hard copy to document these structures. Your contribution and name will be recorded as part of this Valentown archives reference document for future generations. Duplicate images of individual barns will be accepted. Please be respectful and aware that these structures are on private property and asking permission to photograph them may be a courtesy to the owner if entering their land. For more information: president@historicvalentownmuseum.org .

Our site is the history of hometown business and community because of Valentown Hall but we are also stewards of almost 13 acres of land that used to be part of the Town/Valentine farm. Our goal is to reflect that heritage also. We are now creating programs that will promote the following educational ideas at the Historic Valentown site:

Natural Landscape & Conservation – The “Practical & Pretty” program is designed for low maintenance. Having our site in its original rural setting keeps our buildings in their proper context. But it also promotes native flora, fauna and heirloom species as examples of historically useful plants (like American chestnut, Paw paws and other less recognized species) as alternative ideas for living space landscaping for today. On just 13 acres we have fallow fields, hillside meadow, architecture landscape (grass & gardens) and even spring fed wetlands. We will use our natural landscape program to promote and support the conservation of wildlife such as butterflies and bees as well other species in jeopardy from loss of habitat. Our first focus will be on our section of the Victor Hiking Trail system by adding trees and underbrush along the trail path for people using the trail. Many people are introduced to our site by walking through our property thanks to our valued partnership with Victor Hiking Trails. Our site is a manageable size and is near 3 major thoroughfares that give us the ability to be a small but well done regional historic destination. Education Opportunities – exposure to and identification of native flora and fauna including habitats in a small but accessible area; creating stronger connections and appreciation of the natural world and the need to conserve it; learn methods to maintain, nurture and appreciate nature in different environments; learn to incorporate natural landscaping in living space and encourage people to “try a trail” starting at Valentown. Recycling and repurposing will be discussed as a useful practice in history and now.

Farmscape – In addition to our natural landscape we will be promoting the rural farm landscape. Weather cooperating, we will be planting heirlooms such as gourds and pumpkins in little corners and nooks on the property to show different ways to use available space, hopefully with a harvest. We have vintage apple trees, hops and possibly grapes that need to be evaluated and promoted. With these heirlooms we hope to start a program educating people on brewing at home and as a business. We are also looking for small vintage structures such as a corn crib or a wind mill pump that can be relocated on the property. Educational Opportunities – Promoting independent farming like CSA’s and other agricultures; home growing and alternative growing space ideas; promoting heirlooms plants, fruits, vegetables and rare, endangered domestic animal species and their importance in diversity; historic farm practices compared to modern; demonstration and use of antique farm equipment;

With both of these programs we will be looking for partnering with others organizations or groups with similar goals to promote these ideas using the site and its ideal location.
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If you would like to get involved with any of these projects or others at Valentown please contact us: info@historicvalentownmuseum.org . Please also consider supporting us through a membership if you are not already a member.

We thank all the people who helped us this year and in the past. We wish everyone a wonderful New Year and thank you for your much appreciated support.

From all of us at Historic Valentown