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| The Nashua Historical Society photo courtesy of Barbara Poole http://lifefromtheroots.blogspot.com/ |
Recently I tagged along with the Hudson Genealogy Club on
their recent field trip to the Nashua Historical Society. The Hudson Genealogy Club meets every second
Friday at the Rodgers Memorial Library, 194 Derry Road. We had a personalized tour by Beth McCarthy,
curator, and Frank Mooney, the Nashua city historian, and several other volunteers.
The Nashua Historical Society owns two side by side properties, the Abbott
Spaulding house and the Museum at 5 Abbott Street. It was founded in 1870, and the collections
were kept in private homes until the 1970, and lost twice to fires! In 1972 the current museum was built. Since then the collection of artifacts,
records and documents has grown tremendously.
There are changing exhibits of life in Nashua, as well as archives and a
meeting room.
Some of the collections of interest to genealogists include
books (including a large collection of city directories back to the mid-1800s),
manuscripts, artifacts, and a large photograph and postcard collection. The postcards are an underutilized genealogy
resource, with messages to and from kin.
Imagine being lucky enough to strike genealogy gold on the back of some
of these postcards? There is also a
large surname file, which is currently not cataloged, and new files are being
added to this every month. If your
family has roots here in Nashua you should consult this file, or consider
donating family notes and charts to this file.
Before visiting the Nashua Historical Society, fill out the
request form on the website, or call or write by post. This gives the Historical Society research
committee time to research your request and pull files and material pertaining
to your surname or family. Much of the
collection is not currently cataloged, and is stored in two buildings. At the time of your visit your material will
be ready for you, and a volunteer will be able to assist you. This is a perk not available at most other Historical
Societies in New England!
Their gift shop includes many books pertaining to Nashua
history and, of special interest to genealogists, a cemetery guide to the Old
South Burial Ground. The historical society
offers special events, free to the public (see the website or newsletter for a
schedule). They also sponsor a changing
exhibit case in Nashua City Hall. Please
consider joining the Nashua Historical Society, too!
The website for the Nashua Historical Society is www.nashuahistoricalsociety.org
and the phone number is 603-883-0015.
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Copyright 2012, Heather Wilkinson Rojo
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