Essex Junction, Vermont Fairgrounds for Weathervane Wednesday

 Today's weathervane was spotted at Essex Junction, Vermont.

This sweet steam engine weathervane is located on the cupola over the main gatehouse of the Champlain Valley Expoistion.  It is a two dimensional weathervane with lots of details including the wheels, smoke stack (with smoke!), bell, cow catcher, etc.  Since the gatehouse looks like a train station, this was a very appropriate choice for a weathervane. 

This location hosts over 100 events a year.  The most famous is the 10 day long agricultural fair every summer.  This year the fair runs from August 23 to September 1, 2024.  

For the truly curious:

The Champlain Valley Exposition website:    https://cvexpo.org/    

Champlain Valley Exposition, 105 Pearl Street, Essex Junction, VT

info@cvexpo.org

To see over 500 more "Weathervane Wednesday" posts, click here:

https://nutfieldgenealogy.blogspot.com/search/label/Weathervane%20Wednesday   

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To cite/link to this blog post:  Heather Wilkinson Rojo, "Essex Junction, Vermont Fairgrounds for Weathervane Wednesday", Nutfield Genealogy, posted May 15, 2024, ( https://nutfieldgenealogy.blogspot.com/2024/05/essex-junction-vermont-fairgrounds-for.html: accessed [access date]). 

A Forgotten Fish - Weathervane Wednesday

 This weathervane was photographed on the grounds of the Shelburne Museum in Shelburne, Vermont.

This weathervane was spotted above a maintenance shed in the rear of the grounds of the Shelburne Museum.  We were walking on the path between the Merry-Go-Round and the Railroad Station, when we saw this shed on the other side of the boundary fence, next to the train tracks.  I had previously taken lots of photos of the weathervanes in the collections of the Dorset House and on top of the out buildings (barns, churches, etc.) and written up lots of blog posts (see below), but we had missed this little weathervane on previous trips to the Shelburne Museum.

This three dimensional weathervane of a fish has a nice green patina.  It is probably copper, and knowing the Shelburne Museum, it was probably moved from another location or it might be a newly commissioned piece of art. The Shelburne Museum has a nice little book on their weathervane collection entitled Silhouettes in the Sky: The Art of the Weathervane, by Jean M. Burks, 2006.  This fish doesn't appear in the book. 

For the truly curious:

A blog post about the Shelburne Museum, 2013:  https://nutfieldgenealogy.blogspot.com/2013/07/the-shelburne-museum-and-shelburne-farms.html  

"Three on one Barn!"  2014:    https://nutfieldgenealogy.blogspot.com/2014/02/weathervane-wednesday-three-on-one-barn.html   

"Five Weathervane Stamps"  2014:   https://nutfieldgenealogy.blogspot.com/2014/04/weathervane-wednesday-five-weathervane.html   

"A Circus Performer" 2014:   https://nutfieldgenealogy.blogspot.com/2014/03/weathervane-wednesday-circus-performer.html   

"Another Centaur?"  2014:    https://nutfieldgenealogy.blogspot.com/2014/09/weathervane-wednesday-another-centaur.html   

"The Lion Killer"  2014:   https://nutfieldgenealogy.blogspot.com/2014/04/weathervane-wednesday-lion-killer.html   

"Seen at the Shelburne Museum"  2014:    https://nutfieldgenealogy.blogspot.com/2014/02/weathervane-wednesday-seen-at-shelburne.html   

"My Favorite Eagle"  2014:   https://nutfieldgenealogy.blogspot.com/2014/03/weathervane-wednesday-my-favorite-eagle.html   

"A Fox and Hound"  2014:  https://nutfieldgenealogy.blogspot.com/2014/03/weathervane-wednesday-my-favorite-eagle.html 

"A Familiar Mermaid"  2014:   https://nutfieldgenealogy.blogspot.com/2014/03/weathervane-wednesday-familiar-mermaid.html   

Click here to see over 460 other weathervane posts: 

https://nutfieldgenealogy.blogspot.com/search/label/Weathervane%20Wednesday   

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To cite/link to this blog post: Heather Wilkinson Rojo, "A Forgotten Fish - Weathervane Wednesday", Nutfield Genealogy, posted July 20, 2022, ( https://nutfieldgenealogy.blogspot.com/2022/07/a-forgotten-fish-weathervane-wednesday.html: accessed [access date]). 

Vermont Toy Museum, Quechee, VT

 Last month we visited the Vermont Toy Museum in Quechee, Vermont.  It is located in Quechee Gorge Village, upstairs inside the big antique store.  

This "museum" is a giant display of toys with no admission fee. There is a donation box, so please drop in a few dollars to help with the expenses.  It is a small museum with the displays packed into a small space.  Every bit of real estate is used, even the ceiling (Don't forget to look up!). 

Everyone visiting is guaranteed to find something from their own childhood - dolls, model trains, building and construction toys, action figures, McDonald's freebies, board games, video games, lunch boxes, cereal and Cracker Jack prizes, marbles, Halloween costumes, stuffed animals, and Pez dispensers.   It is a walk down memory lane for all ages.  They even have displays arranged by decades (the 1990s, 1980s, 1970s, 1960s, 1950s, etc.) so you can reminisce.  There are about 100,000 toys in this museum.

This quirky little museum would be a great place to bring several generations.  If you are passing through Vermont on nearby Routes 91 or 89 stop by and see the toys.  If you have grandparents or elders with you, the stories you hear when they see the displays will be great oral and family history!

This small space is crammed with displays.
A huge model railroad is located in the middle of it all!

Some vintage Lego construction sets

GI Joe and all his pals

Viewmaster sets from various decades

Did you own a lunch box?  Was it tin, plastic or soft vinyl? Did it display characters
from your favorite cartoon, movie, or TV show? 

The evolution of lunch boxes

I found my childhood lunch box!

Lite-Brite, rock tumblers, Easy Bake Ovens

For the truly curious:

Vermont Toy Museum

5575 Woodstock Road

Quechee, Vermont

(In the Vermont Antique Mall) 

Open daily 10am to 5pm 

For more information email robin@quecheegorge.com 

The Vermont Toy Museum on Facebook:   https://www.facebook.com/VermontToyTrainMuseum/  

"Quechee Museum celebrates our playthings", October 17, 2018:   https://www.timesargus.com/news/quechee-museum-celebrates-our-playthings/article_4616b1e7-2c5e-5b2a-9206-88c1ed140e06.html

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To cite/link to this blog post:  Heather Wilkinson Rojo, "Vermont Toy Museum, Quechee, VT", Nutfield Genealogy, posted July 8, 2022, ( https://nutfieldgenealogy.blogspot.com/2022/07/vermont-toy-museum-quechee-vt.html: accessed [access date]). 

Little Wooden Airplane - Weathervane Wednesday

 This weathervane was photographed in Berlin, Vermont.

We spotted this unusual little wooden weathervane above a cupola at the Applebee's Restaurant in Berlin, Vermont.  It is located just off Route 89 next to a tourist information center and Vermont state liquor store.  

This wooden airplane weathervane is three dimensional.  It has some cute details such as a whirling propeller, red trim, and little tires.  This appears to be a one seat plane with an open cockpit.  It is unusual to have a weathervane above an Applebee's restaurant, so I'm thinking that this location must have been another business before becoming part of the chain.  This is probably a "one of a kind" or handmade weathervane.  

To view over 460 more weathervane posts, click here:

https://nutfieldgenealogy.blogspot.com/search/label/Weathervane%20Wednesday   

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To cite/link to this blog post: Heather Wilkinson Rojo, "Little Wooden Airplane - Weathervane Wednesday", Nutfield Genealogy, posted June 22, 2022, ( https://nutfieldgenealogy.blogspot.com/2022/06/little-wooden-airplane-weathervane.html: accessed [access date]).  

Vermont Teddy Bears - Weathervane Wednesday

 This weathervane was photographed at the Vermont Teddy Bear Company headquarters in Shelburne, Vermont. 

This adorable weathervane is located above the factory for Vermont Teddy Bear Company in Shelburne, Vermont. It is a simple two dimensional gilded silhouette of a teddy bear waving a welcome to the visitors to the factory tours and gift shop.  This factory tour has been a favorite for our family for three generations. I remember visiting, and we took our daughter there for a bear (she still has it!), and soon we hope to take our granddaughter. 

The Vermont Teddy Bear Company toys can be found online, in shops, and at Amazon.  There are actually two factories, one in Shelburne and the other in Newport.  There is another store in Stowe, Vermont, not far from the Ben and Jerry's Ice Cream headquarters.  

For the truly curious:

The Vermont Teddy Bear Company website:   https://www.vermontteddybear.com/  

Vermont Teddy Bear Facebook page:   https://www.facebook.com/VTTeddyBear/  

To see over 460 other weathervane posts, click here:   https://nutfieldgenealogy.blogspot.com/search/label/Weathervane%20Wednesday   

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To cite/link to this blog post:  Heather Wilkinson Rojo, "Vermont Teddy Bears - Weathervane Wednesday", Nutfield Genealogy, posted June 8, 2022, ( https://nutfieldgenealogy.blogspot.com/2022/06/vermont-teddy-bears-weathervane.html: accessed [access date]). 

The Dog Chapel, Saint Johnsbury, Vermont

The author and artist Stephen Huneck’s Dog Chapel has been a New England landmark since it was constructed in 2000 in Saint Johnsbury, Vermont.  It is located on Dog Mountain, on Huneck’s studio and farm. It was designed to resemble an 1820s New England church,  with stained glass windows and art work featuring dogs. The public was invited to post photos of their dearly departed dogs on the wall known as the Remembrance Wall.  Today every wall of the chapel is covered with photos and stories about dogs from their loving family members.

The farm at Dog Mountain is open to the public, and even when the chapel and gallery are closed.   Recently the Dog Chapel restored the Dog Angel and reinstalled it on top of the steeple.  You can read all about the installation project at the blog:  https://www.dogmt.com/dogmountain_news.html 

My friend Melissa McNulty visited Dog Mountain and Dog Chapel last week, and took these amazing photos. I thought it was beautiful and I wanted to write a blog post for Weathervane Wednesday!  However, the Dog Angel is not a true weathervane, but more of a sculpture and final on top of the steeple. So, Dog Chapel gets a blog post anyways. I hope to visit here sometime soon.

 

For the truly curious:

Dog Mountain website:   https://www.dogmt.com/home.php   

Dog Chapel web page:  https://www.dogmt.com/Dog-Chapel.html   

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To Cite/Link to this post:  Heather Wilkinson Rojo and Melissa McNulty, "The Dog Chapel, Saint Johnsbury, Vermont", Nutfield Genealogy, posted June 18, 2021 ( https://nutfieldgenealogy.blogspot.com/2021/06/the-dog-chapel-saint-johnsbury-vermont.html: accessed [access date]). 

What’s Open for Genealogy Research in New England

Some great news!  We’ve all been mostly cooped up inside using the internet, writing away for documents, and waiting for some archives, libraries and repositories to open.  Here is the latest information.  Caveat:  Please contact these locations for the latest information about their hours and availability during the pandemic.  Things sometimes change overnight and local conditions and regulations may not be reflected in this blog post! 

New Hampshire State Library, Concord, NH

The American Ancestors Research Center (The New England Historic Genealogical Society at 99 – 101 Newbury Street, Boston, Massachusetts) will reopen on June 22^nd by appointment.  Schedule your visit at this link:  https://www.americanancestors.org/visit   For the Wyner Family Jewish Heritage Center (inside NEHGS) visits and appointments, see this link:   https://jewishheritagecenter.org/

For the American Canadian Genealogical Society, 1 Sundial Avenue, Suite 317N, Manchester, New Hampshire, is now open for business on Wednesdays only from 9am to 6pm.  No appointment is necessary, but masks and social distancing are required.  https://acgs.org/   

And there is more!

American Antiquarian Society, 185 Salisbury Street, Worcester, Massachusetts  https://www.americanantiquarian.org/  Is working on a plan to reopen the reading room soon.

Boston Public Library There are 24 branches of the Boston Public Library.  The Central Library at 700 Boylston Street in Copley Square, and neighborhood branches are now open for limited services, and more services are returning soon.  https://www.bpl.org/  and https://www.bpl.org/news/reopening/

Connecticut Historical Society, one Elizabeth Street, Hartford, Connecticut 860-236-5621  https://chs.org/  The Edgar F. Waterman Research Center will reopen on September 8^th.  The exhibit galleries are open.

Connecticut Society of Genealogists Library 175 Maple Street, East Hartford, Connecticut  (860) 569-0002 https://csginc.org/   Open to the public Tuesdays through Fridays 11am to 3pm.  Masks are optional.  News!  The CSG Library is now a certified Family History Library Affiliate, too.

Connecticut State Library 231 Capitol Avenue, Hartford, Connecticut  (860) 757-6500 https://libguides.ctstatelibrary.org/hg/home  Open to the public Monday through Friday 9:30am – 4pm by appointment only.  Call for an appointment.

Maine Historical Society 489 Congress Street, Portland, Maine  (207) 774-1822 https://www.mainehistory.org/   Open Wednesdays through Saturdays.  The Brown Research Library is open by appointment only.  Masks are optional for fully vaccinated guests. Members free, non members $10 a day. See this webpage for more information:  https://www.mainehistory.org/library_visit.shtml 

Massachusetts State Archives  20 Morrissey Blvd, Boston, Massachusetts (617) 727-2816 or fax (617) 288-8429 https://www.sec.state.ma.us/arc/ Open to the public for research Monday to Friday, 8:30am to 4:30pm.  Call ahead to see if what you are researching might be available online.  Masks are required. Free parking. The nearest MBTA station is one mile away (JFK/UMass red line) and the shuttle bus is not running at this time.

Massachusetts Historical Society 1154 Boylston Street, Boston, Massachusetts (617) 536-1608 https://www.masshist.org/     The MHS library is currently closed until further notice.  The reference team is available to assist you remotely.  Please see this page for more information:  https://www.masshist.org/library/visit  The MHS has been holding several online events every month, and their card catalog is online.

Massachusetts Registry of Vital Records (records from 1926 to the present – births, deaths, divorces, and marrriages) at  150 Mount Vernon Street, Boston, Massachusetts  (617) 740-2600 https://www.mass.gov/orgs/registry-of-vital-records-and-statistics  There are limited in-person services at the Registry of Vital Records.  The Public Research Room is closed. Please use the forms for mail-in requests and web requests.  The Public Service Counter will have limited in-person services Monday to Friday from 9am to 4:45pm.  See the website for more information.   UPDATE 14 July 2021:  https://www.mass.gov/alerts/update-to-in-person-services-at-the-registry-of-vital-records-and-statistics#1922996    

Mayflower Society Library 4 Winslow Street (behind the Mayflower Society House), Plymouth, Massachusetts (508) 746-3188, ext. 11 or email the librarian library@themayflowersociety.org  or support@themayflowersociety.org and please include “Library Appointment Request” in the subject line. See this website for more information  https://www.themayflowersociety.org/visit/gsmd-library  The GSMD library reopens in July 2021 by appointment only for members.   

National Archives at Boston (NARA), 380 Trapelo Road, Waltham, Massachusetts https://www.archives.gov/boston   The research room is closed currently.  You may experience a very long delay to your requests and Freedom of Information Act requests or appeals.  https://www.archives.gov/boston/research There are many online research tools available.   

New Hampshire Historical Society Library 30 Park Street, Concord, New Hampshire  (603) 228-6688 https://www.nhhistory.org  and also https://www.nhhistory.org/Research/Using-the-Library  Open by appointment only Thursday, Friday and Saturday 9:30 to 12:30pm, or for 1:30 to 4:30pm.  Masks required.  Email research@nhhistory.org or call 603-228-6688 to make a reservation.  The society also offers research services for a fee.

New Hampshire County Registry of Deeds https://www.nhdeeds.org/   The registries of deeds are open to the public.  Face masks are encouraged, or required and available upon request.  Each county registry has different safety requirements, and limits on the number or individuals allowed access to the records, please check the website. 

New Hampshire State Library, 20 Park Street, Concord, NH, https://www.nh.gov/nhsl/  The library opened to the public on 7 May 2021.  Masks are strongly encouraged and available at the entrance.  Open Monday to Friday 8am to 4:30pm.  You can schedule an appointment for a time with a reference librarian by calling 603-271-2144. 

New Hampshire Vital Records and Archives 9 Ratification Way (Formerly 71 South Fruit Street), Concord, New Hampshire, 603-271-3242.   

During the COVID-19 pandemic the Archives and Vital Records are closed to walk in traffic.  The public is encouraged to use the website.  You may call 603-271-2236 with urgent business or email info@sos.nh.gov  For more information see the website https://sos.nh.gov/archives-vital-records-records-management/archives/genealogy/  

Phillips Library of the Peabody Essex Museum, 306 Newburyport Turnpike, Rowley, Massachusetts.  Open Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays from 9am – noon or 1 – 4pm.  Appointments must be made 24 hours in advance. Masks are required.  Only three researchers are allowed in the reading room each day, and appointments are required by contacting research@pem.org   See this blog post for more information: https://nutfieldgenealogy.blogspot.com/2018/07/genealogy-research-at-phillips-library.html

Rhode Island Historical Society 10 Benevolent Street, Providence, Rhode Island  (401) 331-8575  https://www.rihs.org/ The Robinson Research Center currently closed to the public.  Contact the staff at reference@rihs.org  for research assistance.    

Rhode Island State Archives 33 Broad Street, Providence, Rhode Island  (401) 222-2353 https://www.sos.ri.gov/divisions/state-archives and email statearchives@sos.ri.gov  Appointments must be made for a two hour slot weekdays at 10am or 2pm.  Requests for appointments must be made three days ahead of the requested date. 

Rhode Island State Library 82 Smith Street, Room 208, Providence, Rhode Island  (401) 222-2473  https://www.sos.ri.gov/divisions/Civics-And-Education/state-library  The state house reopened to the public on 1 June 2021 with limited hours 9am to 3pm.  The public may visit, and the reference staff will answer requests by phone and email from 8:30am to 4:30pm.  There is a catalog available at the website.

Rhode Island Vital Records, 3 Capitol Hill, Providence, Rhode Island 401-222-5960 or the website  https://health.ri.gov/records/   Walk in service for vital records is closed until further notice.  See the website for ordering records online. 

UNH Dimond Library, 18 Library Way, Durham, New Hampshire.  See this web page for information on building access and online assistance  https://library.unh.edu/blog/2021/06/covid-19-phased-return

Vermont Historical Society Leahy Library,  60 Washington Street, Suite 1, Barre, Vermont  (802) 479-8509.  Open by appointment only.  See this page for COVID-19 safety procedures:     https://vermonthistory.org/leahy-library-covid-19-procedures

Vermont Vital Records and Archives 1078 Route 2, Montpelier, Vermont (802) 863-3208 or email vitalrecords@vermont.gov  or sos.archives@vermont.gov   The vital records office is currently closed to walk-in services, but curbside services may be arranged in advance. The reference room is available by appointment for researching records in the state archives https://sos.vermont.gov/vsara/research/ 

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Cite/Link to:  Heather Wilkinson Rojo, "What’s Open For Genealogy Research in New England?", Nutfield Genealogy, posted June 17, 2021, ( https://nutfieldgenealogy.blogspot.com/2021/06/whats-open-for-genealogy-research-in.html: accessed [access date]).  

Genealogy Research in New England During the Pandemic: What’s Open? How is the Records Access?

I haven’t been out much during these last five or six months to research in-person.  Most of my personal genealogy work has been online, or some day trips to quiet cemeteries where no one else was visiting.  However, as I get braver about venturing outside safely, this is what I learned about some local genealogy repositories.  Caveat: Please contact these locations for the latest information about their hours and availability during the pandemic. Things sometimes change overnight, and may not be reflected in this blog post!

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American Antiquarian Society https://www.americanantiquarian.org/ :

185 Salisbury Street, Worcester, Massachusetts (508) 755-5221

Closed to the public until further notice during the COVID-19 pandemic.

American Canadian Genealogical Society  https://acgs.org/ :

Recently relocated to 1 Sundial Avenue, Suite 317N, Manchester, New Hampshire (603) 622-1554 and reposed as of June 24^th to the public.  The library is open on two shifts per day, and patrons can sign up for the 8 spaces available for each shift.  Reservations are no longer required, but with the limit call the librarian to make sure there is a place for you. Masks required by visitors and volunteers, see this page for safety guidelines https://acgs.org/acgs-library-reopening/   One major change outlined on this page is that all books that have been used will be quarantined for 72 hours before the librarians put them back on the shelves. This could be problematic for anyone wanting a certain book upon arriving at the library. Use the website or call to make a reservation in advance.  Members are free, and the non-member day fee is $10.  You may become a member when you come in to visit. The website contains links to much information, but most is available to members only.

Boston Public Library  https://www.bpl.org/resources/genealogy/   :

700 Boylston Street (Central Library), Boston, Massachusetts  (617) 536-5400 email ask@bpl.org

Available only for patron pickup of items during limited hours at the current time.

Connecticut Historical Society  https://chs.org/  :

One Elizabeth Street, Hartford, Connecticut  (860) 236-5621

Researchers by appointment only at the Waterman Research Center. Free to members, or $12 for non-members. Public access is restricted due to a renovation project. Call at least 2 weeks prior to your visit at ext. 228. 

Connecticut Society of Genealogists Library https://ctfamilyhistory.com/  :

175 Maple Street, East Hartford, Connecticut  (860) 569-0002

The library opened to a limited capacity on July 7^th by appointment only.  Please call ahead, masks must be worn. 

Connecticut State Library https://libguides.ctstatelibrary.org/hg/home :

231 Capitol Avenue, Hartford, Connecticut  (860) 757-6500

Closed until further notice.

Maine Historical Society https://www.mainehistory.org/ :

489 Congress Street, Portland, Maine  (207) 774-1822

Research by appointment only Wednesdays to Saturdays 1pm – 4pm.  Members free, non members $10 a day. See this webpage for more information:  https://www.mainehistory.org/library_visit.shtml 

Massachusetts State Archives https://www.sec.state.ma.us/arc/ :

220 Morrissey Blvd, Boston, Massachusetts (617) 727-2816 or fax (617) 288-8429

The research area is open with regular hours, but call ahead to find out if what you need is available and the staff will determine if they can assist you remotely before you come in.  Reference phone: (617) 727-2816 or email archives@sec.state.ma.us  Updated COVID-19 policies are on this page:  https://www.sec.state.ma.us/arc/covid-19/covid-19.htm 

Massachusetts Historical Society https://www.masshist.org/ :

1154 Boylston Street, Boston, Massachusetts  (617) 536-1608

The MHS library is currently closed until further notice.  The reference team is available to assist you remotely.  Please see this page for more information:  https://www.masshist.org/library/visit  The MHS has been holding several online events every month, and their card catalog is online.

Massachusetts Registry of Vital Records https://www.mass.gov/orgs/registry-of-vital-records-and-statistics

150 Mount Vernon Street, Boston, Massachusetts  (617) 740-2600 

There are limited in-person services at the Mass. VRs.  The Public Research Room is closed. They are taking mail and web requests, and limited counter service, see this page for details:  https://www.mass.gov/alerts/massachusetts-registry-of-vital-records-and-statistics-rvrs-covid-19-update#1459986

Mayflower Society Library https://www.themayflowersociety.org/visit/gsmd-library :

4 Winslow Street, Plymouth, Massachusetts (508) 746-3188, ext. 11 or email the librarian library@themayflowersociety.org  or support@themayflowersociety.org  The research library is closed to the public until further notice. The staff will be working remotely from home with limited access to the library materials.  Usually it is open to the public by reservation.  Free to members, $5 research fee for non-members. Copies of approved lineage papers can be purchased for $10. 

National Archives at Boston (NARA)  https://www.archives.gov/boston :

380 Trapelo Road, Waltham, Massachusetts  (866) 406-2379

The research room is closed currently.  You may experience a very long delay to your requests and Freedom of Information Act requests or appeals.  https://www.archives.gov/boston/research There are many online research tools available.

New England Historic Genealogical Society https://www.americanancestors.org  :

99 – 101 Newbury Street, Boston, Massachusetts, (888) 296 – 3447

The library and archives in Boston remain closed to the public until further notice.  Members may use the website to access databases online.  There are many virtual events being held online for the general public, see this link:  https://www.americanancestors.org/education/online-classes

New Hampshire Historical Society Library  https://www.nhhistory.org/

30 Park Street, Concord, New Hampshire  (603) 228-6688

The library is now open by advance appointment for research on Thursday, Friday and Saturday 9:30am to 12:30pm and 1:30pm to 4:30pm.  Free to members, $7 for adult nonmembers. See this webpage about the new safety measures: https://www.nhhistory.org/Research/Using-the-Library  or email research@nhhistory.   The society also offers librarians who available for information  by email or phone, and also research services for a fee. 

New Hampshire County Registries of Deeds  https://www.nhdeeds.org/

Effective June 18, 2020 The registries of deeds are open to the public.  Face masks are encouraged, or required and available upon request.  Each county registry has different safety requirements, and limits on the number or individuals allowed access to the records, please check the website. 

New Hampshire State Library  https://www.nh.gov/nhsl/ :

The state library is open to the public by appointment only, with safety measures in place until further notice.  Appointments are for 30 minute and 60 minute sessions only.  See the website for more information.  The statewide interlibrary loan program is suspended for the time being.

New Hampshire Vital Records and Archives https://sos.nh.gov/archives-vital-records-records-management/archives/genealogy/ :

9 Ratification Way (Formerly 71 South Fruit Street), Concord, New Hampshire, 603-271-3242.   

During the COVID-19 pandemic the Archives and Vital Records are closed to walk in traffic.  The public is encouraged to use the website.  You may call 603-271-2236 with urgent business or email info@sos.nh.gov 

Phillips Library of the Peabody Essex Museum https://www.pem.org/visit/library  :

306 Newburyport Turnpike, Rowley, Massachusetts

Only three researchers are allowed in the reading room each day, and appointments are required by contacting research@pem.org 

See this blog post for more information:

https://nutfieldgenealogy.blogspot.com/2018/07/genealogy-research-at-phillips-library.html

The Rhode Island Historical Society   https://www.rihs.org/ :

10 Benevolent Street, Providence, Rhode Island  (401) 331-8575

The Robinson Research Center has reopened to the public by reservation only.  Free to Rhode Island residents, $8 to non residents ($5 for students and seniors).  Please contact the staff reference@rihs.org

Rhode Island State Archives  https://www.sos.ri.gov/divisions/state-archives :

33 Broad Street, Providence, Rhode Island  (401) 222-2353 statearchives@sos.ri.gov

Closed to the public.  Archivists will provide reference and general assistance by phone and email.  Some resources are online. 

Rhode Island State Library  https://www.sos.ri.gov/divisions/Civics-And-Education/state-library :

82 Smith Street, Room 208, Providence, Rhode Island  (401) 222-2473

The state house is closed to the public, including the state library.  Librarians will provide reference and general assistance by phone and email. Some resources are available digitally through the online catalog.  Email statelibrary@sos.ri.gov

Rhode Island Vital Records https://health.ri.gov/records/ :

Rhode Island has changed some service, and closed some walk-in service, so please check this webpage for more information: https://health.ri.gov/about/customer-services-updates.php   They recommend using VitalChek for online ordering of vital records. 

UNH Dimond Library

18 Library Way, Durham, New Hampshire  (603) 862-1535

All UNH library locations are currently closed.  See this page for updates and resources you can access remotely:  https://www.library.unh.edu/news/covid-19

Vermont Historical Society Leahy Library https://vermonthistory.org/leahy-library/  :

60 Washington Street, Suite 1, Barre, Vermont  (802) 479-8509

Open by appointment only.  See this page for COVID-19 safety procedures:  https://vermonthistory.org/leahy-library-covid-19-procedures

Vermont Vital Records and Archives   https://sos.vermont.gov/vsara/about/hours-directions/  :

1078 Route 2, Montpelier, Vermont (802) 863-3208 or email vitalrecords@vermont.gov  or sos.archives@vermont.gov

The vital records office is currently closed to walk-in services, but curbside services may be arranged in advance. The reference room is available by appointment for researching records in the state archives https://sos.vermont.gov/vsara/research/ 

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Cite/Link to:  Heather Wilkinson Rojo, "Genealogy Research in New England During the Pandemic:  What’s Open? How is the Records Access?", Nutfield Genealogy, posted September 17, 2020, ( https://nutfieldgenealogy.blogspot.com/2020/09/genealogy-research-in-new-england.html: accessed [access date]). 

Weathervane Wednesday ~ Above a Congregational Church

I post another in a series of weather vane photographs every Wednesday.  This started with images of weathervanes from the Londonderry, New Hampshire area, but now I've found interesting weather vanes all across New England and across the globe.  Sometimes my weather vanes are whimsical, or historical, but all are interesting.  Often my readers tip me off to some very unique or unusual weathervanes, too!  If you know a great weather vane near you, let me know if you'd like to have it featured on this blog.

Today's weather vane was photographed in Vermont.

Do you know the location of weathervane post #351?  Scroll down to find the answer.

This arrow weathervane can be seen atop the steeple of the Congregational Church on the village green in Norwich, Vermont.  This congregation was first gathered in 1770.  A building was built in this location in 1852.  The bell in the steeple is an original Paul Revere bell, purchased in 1817. Last year, 2017, marked the 200th anniversary of this historic bell.

This quintessential New England church in Norwich
was immortalized by painter Maxfield Parrish
"Peaceful Night, Church at Norwich Vermont"
1950

The Norwich Congregational Church website:  http://www.norwichcongregational.org/

Click here to see the entire collection of Weathervane Wednesday posts!

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Heather Wilkinson Rojo, "Weathervane Wednesday ~ Above a Congregational Church", Nutfield Genealogy, posted February 21, 2018, (https://nutfieldgenealogy.blogspot.com/201/21/weathervane-wednesday-above.html: accessed [access date]). 

Weathervane Wednesday ~ An Old Musket

 I post another in a series of weather vane photographs every Wednesday.  This started with images of weathervanes from the Londonderry, New Hampshire area, but now I've found interesting weather vanes all across New England and across the globe.  Sometimes my weather vanes are whimsical, or historical, but all are interesting.  Often my readers tip me off to some very unique or unusual weathervanes, too!  If you know a great weather vane near you, let me know if you'd like to have it featured on this blog.

Today's weather vane was photographed in Vermont.

Do you know the location of weathervane post #334?  Scroll down to find the answer.

This unique weathervane was spotted above the American Precision Museum in Windsor, Vermont.  We were passing through town when I saw the shiny, gilded musket above the cupola.  We "pulled a U-ey" and circled back to get a photograph.  It is the first time I've seen a weathervane with a musket! It appears to be a three dimensional musket, original to the building's construction in 1846 according to an engraving [see below].  

This building is the Robbins & Lawrence factory in Windsor, Vermont.  It was built in 1846, and recently renovations were completed in 2016 to repair damage done by Hurricane Irene in 2011.  The muskets produced here were the first to be made with precision interchangeable parts. This museum has the largest collection of machine milling tools in the United States. The Robbins & Lawrence firm was responsible for "The American System" of interchangeable parts that gave rise to the development of the precision tool-making industry.

The museum opened in 1966.  See the website below for visitor information.

The 1846 Armory (This print was made the year the factory opened in Windsor, Vermont)
The weathervane was original to the building

The American Precision Museum website:  https://www.americanprecision.org/

American Precision Museum Facebook page:  https://www.facebook.com/AmericanPrecisionMuseum/

A visit to the American Precision Museum on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8fE8gZ2fzs4

Click here to see the entire collection of Weathervane Wednesday posts!

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Heather Wilkinson Rojo, "Weathervane Wednesday ~ An Old Musket", Nutfield Genealogy, posted October 25, 2017, (https://nutfieldgenealogy.blogspot.com/2017/10/weathervane-wednesday-old-musket.html: accessed [access date]).