Step back into the 1700s at the Londonderry Historical Society's Morrison House Museum at 140 Pillsbury Road, just a short walk from the Old Home Day activities on the town common. On the museum grounds you can interact with many colonial craftsmen and women, see period animals at work, listen to the music of the NHSCOT bagpipes (and even try a lesson!), enjoy pulled pork at the Pig Roast, corn on the cob, watermelon and cold drinks. You can also visit the Military encampment of the 1st New Hampshire Regiment which will also offer open hearth cooking demonstrations, colonial games, children's musket drills and of course the traditional cannon firings.
Here is a list of the Traditional Craftspeople on site from 10am to 4pm:
Rope Maker: Bill Wasson, a retired naval officer and captain of sailing and commercial vessels, is an accomplished rope maker and rigger who will interpret the craft and demonstrate his talents with a 50' long rope making rig.
Cooper: Ron Raiselis, Strawbery Banke's resident master cooper is considered to be one of the finest craft interpreters in the country, with work in major museums and private collections. He is one of the few coopers (wooden barrel makers) active in the USA.
Millinary Arts: Tara Raiselis, a devotee of needlework and women's wear of the 18th century, is director of a museum in Maine. She brings her extensive knowledge of textiles and many wonderful examples of the millinery arts to engage you.
Tinsmith: Larry Leonard, a fine colonial craftsman, will demonstrate tin smithing, and may even ask you to help him! He'll also present a wide variety of tinware used in the 18th and 19th century New England homes. Do you have tinware in your home? Cookie cutters or a lantern, perhaps?
Planer and Joyner: Join Daniel LaCroix at his workbench and watch this consummate wood-worker give a hands-on demonstration of plane making and period joinery while explaining his tools and techniques. His work is prized by re-enactors and museums for their collections.
Surgeon: Need an aching tooth or musket ball removed? Colonial surgeon Greg Morin might offer aid and will describe in detail his extensive display of medical instruments as well as the treatment methods used on his patients in the 18th century. His explanations are intricately research an his engaging portrayal of this colonial surgeon may find you with many questions, speechless, or running for the hills!
Washerwoman: Jennifer Roy goes deep into character as an indentured servant trying to pay off her passage to America. Keeping her large wash pot boiling, she continues her chores while interacting with the public, discussing her life in vivid detail, revealing the hardships that she and so many others endured for the sake of freedom.
Horn smith: Skilled in the ancient craft of working with horn, Charles Walker demonstrates how horn was turned into many useful colonial items such as combs, cups, knives, spoons, cooking items, and of course, powder horns. It was also used in lanterns, being valued for its translucency before the widespread use of glass. Don't forget to see the charmingly inscribed version of a young child's school tablet he'll display on Old Home Day!
Corn Husk Doll Maker: Bill Jennison, longtime re-enactor, engages children of all ages in the craft of corn husk doll making. Children in both Native American and Colonial families, wherever corn was grown as a crop, used the natural dried husk of the corncob to fashion dolls. Join in on this understated, simple craft which has been an Old Home Day favorite of our visitors over the years at the Morrison House Museum.
Flax Processing: Peter Cook, a retired museum curator, is a specialist in pre-industrial textile technology. He will demonstrate and interpret the complete processing of flax from field to spun fiber in the making of linen. Nutfield was founded 300 years ago by the Scots-Irish who brought with them the knowledge of linen making, and this heritage craftsman will include all the labor intensive processes that involved entire households in producing home-spun linen.
Weaver: Cathy Goodman is highly experienced in period weaving and spinning and uses original source materials in her detailed demonstrations. Her research for accuracy is extensive and her beautiful display of finished woven work will also include information as to the origins of her designs.
Basket Maker: Karen Zino works with a variety of natural materials to make baskets of historical and regional significance. She weaves many specialized forms such as the colonial market basket, egg baskets, garden baskets, and the rattan Nantucket lightship basket.
Blacksmith: Richard Wright, the Smith River Smithy, is noted for his quality hand forged classics and museum quality reproductions. This former Londonderry resident has been actively involved in colonial living history and has volunteered at various museums around New England. He now has his own blacksmith shop, with his main focus on colonial hardware. We're very excited he'll bring the colonial black smithing trade to life again with the R.P. Clark & Son Blacksmith Shop at the Morrison House Museum.
Gunsmith: David Welch, historical re-enactor, has been coming to the Morrison House Museum on Old Home Day for many years as a Lieutenant with Captain Morrill's Company, then with Dearborn's Company, usually behind the cannon. He'll be returning this year in his new role as Gunsmith, sharing his extensive knowledge of historic armament, long guns, and artillery and bringing along some fine examples of muzzleloaders and muskets.
Sheep Herding: Tim and Lisa Molinaro, owners of Heartstone Farm, will bring a rare flock of Gulf Coast Native Sheep to our 300th celebration. The sheep, a heritage breed, will be herded by working Border Collies at Tim's command. Lisa will narrate the action as the sheep move from pen to pen. Some shearing is also planned.
Animal Handler, Artisan Steward: Jones Gallagher, a self-sustaining farmer, animal handler and set up man, "Jonesy" will circulate on the grounds to give additional support to the animal handlers and the colonial artisans during the day. Feel free to ask him any question you may have when you see him!
The Morrison House Museum Buildings: Open for tours from noon to 3pm: Come visit the historic circa 1760 Morrison House Museum, the circa 1840 R. P. Clark & Son Blacksmith Shop, and the circa 1859 Parmenter Barn on land generously donated by Andy Mack, Sr. In 1990, these buildings, originally situated in other areas of town and slated for demolition, have all been saved by the Historical Society and moved, or taken down and rebuilt on this beautiful property surrounded by the apple trees of Moose Hill Orchards. Inside the Museum will be a new display that features the donation of treasured family heirlooms by two Wallace family cousins that were at our 2nd Annual Antiques Appraisal Day back in May. We're excited about their donation and the extensive historical research that has been conducted since receiving it. We can't wait for those two Wallace family descendants to unveil this wonderful display of Londonderry history for public viewing on Old Home Day!
Heather Rojo, Genealogist: from noon to 2pm. Well known for her Genealogy Blog "Nutfield Genealogy", now in its 10th year, Heather will be situated inside the Morrison House Museum from noon to 2pm to help you with your genealogical queries or point you in the right direction as to how you best use your time to find answers. Heather has been conducting genealogy research for the last 35 years and is proud of her heritage as a Mayflower descendant.
NHSCOT Bagpipe TRY-IT: from noon to 1pm. Ever want to learn to play the bagpipes? After the "Pipes and Drums of NHSCOT" march in the Old Home Day parade, some members of the group will come down to the Morrison House Museum grounds and after playing a few tunes for visitors, will offer a fantastic BAGPIPE TRY-IT class to 12 lucky individuals (first come, first served!) who may have an interest in learning to play. It's a FREE 45 minute class, open to both youths and adults! The Pipes and Drums of NHSCOT is a group organized to "help build the next generation of Pipes and Drummers in support of our mission to preserve and promote Scottish culture for future generations." NHSCOT is "dedicated to the furtherance of dance, music, athletics, and customs of the Scottish people and the continuance of the Gaelic culture." They organize the annual New Hampshire Highland Games & Festival at Loon Mountain, this year on September 20 -22.
1st New Hampshire Regiment: Encampment from 10am - 4pm, Cannon firing from noon to 4pm. It wouldn't be Old Home Day at the Morrison House Museum without a military encampment and live cannons! Come join this American Revolutionary War reenactment group as the women in camp give cooking demonstrations, offer young visitors colonial games to play, and run the day-to-day operations of this 1770's encampment. Their Men at Arms will return to camp after marching the Old Home Day parade and will encourage children who visit the encampment to "Train and Drill" with them. Of course, the Regiment will be giving demonstrations throughout the afternoon and firing their muskets and loading and firing their trusty canon hourly with a big finish during the last hour. [Their background: The 1st New Hampshire Regiment reenactment group was founded in 1973. They're based on the original Regiment, created by the Provincial Government of New Hampshire on May 22, 1775, that fought in many battles during the War for Independence. The first commander of the original regiment was Londonderry's Colonel John Stark.
Pig Roast: Enjoy a lunch of pulled pork, corn-on-the-cob, watermelon and a cool drink to celebrate Nutfield's 300th at the Morrison House Museum! What could be better? Londonderry resident Eric Turcotte, a good friend of the Historical Society and owner of Turcotte Tree Service is actually donating the pig, having it prepared, and start the roasting on Friday night, on site, to be ready at lunchtime for guests on Old Home Day. We can't thank Eric Turcotte enough for his generosity! Please come and support the Londonderry Historical Society and enjoy this wonderful meal for a suggested donation of $5 to go towards needed repairs to our buildings, especially the Morrison House roof and entry.
Finally, on this historic 300th Anniversary of Nutfield, we hope all our efforts put forth to preserve the History of Londonderry over the years show how much we care about this town, and we offer our heartfelt gratitude in appreciation of all the kindness and incredible support of the wonderful residents of Londonderry!
Thank you all!
Ann Chiampa and Kay Webber, Co-Chairs
Londonderry Historical Society
300th Anniversary of Nutfield / Old Home Day Celebration
Morrison House Museum & Grounds
UPDATE! If you are a descendant of one of the original Scots Irish families that settled in early Londonderry, you are eligible to ride in a trolley in the Londonderry Old Home Day 2019 parade! If you are interested please email parade@nutfieldhistory.org and we will let you know how to participate.
Thanks so much for this info; now I'm even more excited to visit!
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