NEHGS hosts a Mayflower 400th Open House

Earlier today the New England Historic Genealogical Society on Newbury Street in Boston held an opening ceremony commemorating the 400th anniversary of the landing of the Mayflower.  Brenton Simons, the President and CEO of NEHGS gave an introductory speech about events planned for the next few years including new books, tours, online resources and more.  He introduced the four nations that were part of the commemoration (US, UK, The Netherlands and the Wampanoag).  There was intensive media coverage in the foyer of the library as it was crowded with NEHGS members, staff, and invited guests.

Brenton Simons declared the 400th anniversary events open. The UK consul general Harriet Cross gave an address on behalf of Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II.  Dusty Rhodes, the chair of the Plymouth Massachusetts 400th Commission also gave an address, along with Michelle Pecoraro, the executive director the the Plymouth 400th, Inc. who listed 7 signature events in Plymouth with the first one starting on April 24, 2020 (She stated that there were over 125 sanctioned events for the 400th commemoration including lectures, tours, conferences and concerts - stay tuned!)

Paula Peters, the president of SmokeSygnals, a Native American consultancy located in Mashpee, Massachusetts, cut the ribbon for the sculpture created by Steven Peters. This art installation is a beautiful representation of a Patuxet mother and child along with a wampum belt.  Brenton Simons announced that a scholarship was formed by NEHGS for members of the Wampanoag nation to come to Boston and take part in educational events, as well as to bring members of the tribe to NEHGS to educate the public about native culture and history.

Nancy Maulsby, the chair of the NEHGS board of trustees, christened the 11 foot long replica of the "Boston Mayflower".  The large model, created by marine artist Terrance Geaghan of Bath, Maine, was wheeled out to the front of the library, next to the sidewalk and the Wampanoag art installation. These will both be displayed in the front garden during the 400th anniversary commemorations through 2020, except during inclement weather.

After the ceremonies a new exhibit was opened "Origins and Legacy of the Mayflower" on the first floor of the library.  There were many interesting and fun objects on exhibit including art objects, crewel embroidery, books, and a pair of replica chairs (you might have seen the original Bradford chair at the Pilgrim Hall museum) you can actually sit in.  I always thought they looked very uncomfortable, but they were actually quite comfy!

There were games and activities for children, free 15 minute genealogy consultations, and other activities for the general public.  Everyone was invited free to use the library all day until 8pm. Vincent and I explored some of the exhibits and watched the Wampanoag dancing.  Of course we bought a few items at the gift shop, and then wandered down Newbury Street for lunch.  It was a lovely day, almost 60 degrees, and the magnolias were in bloom in Back Bay.  We walked over to see the Boston Marathon cleanup going on in Copley Square, and drove down along the Commonwealth Avenue Mall before returning home to New Hampshire.

The New England Historic Genealogical Society
99 - 101 Newbury Street
Boston, Massachusetts

For the truly curious:

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

NEHGS Mayflower website   https://mayflower.americanancestors.org/

See Vincent photographing the Boston Mayflower installation in front of the NEHGS front door in this video by Boston NBC Channel 10 news:  https://www.nbcboston.com/on-air/as-seen-on/Opening-Ceremony-Held-for-Mayflower-400-Anniversary_NECN-508704312.html

In this film by WBZ TV Boston news you can see both Yours Truly and Vincent, including Vincent dancing with the Wampanoag dancers:
https://boston.cbslocal.com/2019/04/17/genealogical-society-commemorates-mayflower-landing-400th-year/

--------------------------------------

Heather Wilkinson Rojo, "NEHGS hosts a Mayflower 400th Open House", Nutfield Genealogy, posted April 17, 2019, ( https://nutfieldgenealogy.blogspot.com/2019/04/nehgs-hosts-mayflower-400th-open-house.html: accessed [access date]).

Weathervane Wednesday - At the Epcot Center, DisneyWorld

Some more weathervanes we spotted during our vacation at DisneyWorld.  We even found two at the Epcot Center!

This elaborate weathervane is a banner mounted above some filigree above a castle tower in the Norway pavilion at the Epcot center.  This building houses the Akershus Royal Banquet Hall restaurant. The area nearby resembles a village in Norway.  Does anyone know why the banner on the weathervane features the numbers "171" with a crown?  

Note:  Just a few hours after I posted this my 2nd cousin told me (via Facebook) that in Norway the county road 171 runs through the town of Akershus.  Perhaps that is the answer? 

Of course the American pavilion would feature a weathervane, too!  This federal style building was designed to imitate colonial buildings like Philadelphia's Independence Hall.  The weathervane on the cupola is a very familiar style to me.  This banner weathervane would look very appropriate on any 18th or 19th century New England meetinghouse or church. 

Click this link to see the entire Weathervane Wednesday series of over 400 weathervanes:
https://nutfieldgenealogy.blogspot.com/search/label/Weathervane%20Wednesday

-------------------------

Heather Wilkinson Rojo, "Weathervane Wednesday - At the Epcot Center, DisneyWorld", Nutfield Genealogy, posted April 17, 2019, ( https://nutfieldgenealogy.blogspot.com/2019/04/weathervane-wednesday-at-epcot-center.html: accessed [access date]). 

Weathervane Wednesday - Good news from the Notre Dame de Paris Rooster Saved from Disaster

Best tweet I've seen today!

Although the disastrous fire at the Notre Dame de Paris was horrific and difficult to watch on TV and video, small miracles are arising from its ashes.  For me, the story about the rooster weathervane being recovered fills me with joy!

This rooster is not a true weathervane pointing to wind direction.  Roosters are a traditional symbol for church weathervanes and steeple spires due to a medieval edict from a Pope in Rome.  This pope directed it as a Christian symbol to be placed on churches, based on the bible story of St. Peter’s denial of Christ three times before the cock crowed at dawn.   In 1935, the archbishop of Parish placed it on the 300 foot spire, and since 1935 it has contained holy relics to protect the city.  These relics include those from St. Denis, St. Genevieve, and a thorn from the Crown of Thorns.  It was called a “spiritual lightning rod”.

These relics were thought to be lost, but were recovered early on Tuesday morning, April 16^th, giving hope to the faithful that much more would be recovered. 

The Notre Dame de Paris rooster (from the Old Farmer's Almanac website:
https://www.almanac.com/extra/folklore-cocks-cockcrows-and-weathercocks )

From ABC Spanish news:

https://www.abc.es/internacional/abci-milagro-notre-dame-encuentran-gallo-aguja-catedral-guardaba-tres-reliquias-201904162126_noticia.html  

New York Post:

https://nypost.com/2019/04/16/spiritual-lightning-rod-atop-iconic-notre-dame-spire-found-in-rubble/  

For all the past Weathervane Wednesday posts, click here:
https://nutfieldgenealogy.blogspot.com/search/label/Weathervane%20Wednesday

-----------------------

Heather Wilkinson Rojo, "Weathervane Wednesday -  Good news about the Notre Dame de Paris Rooster Saved From Disaster", Nutfield Genealogy, posted April 16, 2019, ( https://nutfieldgenealogy.blogspot.com/2019/04/weathervane-wednesday-good-news-from.html: accessed [access date]). 

Nutfield Gala! Celebrating our 300th Anniversary

The Derry Arts Council hosted a Gala at the Derry Opera House in conjunction with the Founders Weekend, to celebrate the anniversary and the Scots Irish Culture of our first settlers.  Participants were welcomed to the event with bagpipes outside and Irish music inside.  It was sponsored by the Northern Ireland Bureau, and the Ulster Scots Agency.

Irish music by the Madrigal Trio welcomed the public into the Nutfield Gala

A nice crowd attended the evening gala

This is a cake!  Representing a history book, nuts (acorns) and Irish potatoes,
by local baker Carina's Cakes

Richard Hanna of the Ulster Scots Agency
presented Founders Weekend organizer Paul Lindemann with art from Ireland

Professor Linde Lunney of Ireland read some poetry for the occasion,
accompanied by Derry's Poet Laureate, Robert Crawford, who read a historical
poem "At Beaver Lake" about the arrival of the Scots Irish immigrants

Irish step dancers from the McGonagle School entertained the crowd.

-----------------------------------

Heather Wilkinson Rojo, "Nutfield Gala! Celebrating our 300th Anniversary", Nutfield Genealogy, posted April 14, 2019, ( https://nutfieldgenealogy.blogspot.com/2019/04/nutfield-gala-celebrating-our-300th.html: accessed [access date]).

The afternoon session of the Nutfield Founders Weekend Conference and Family Reunion

Celebrating Nutfield's 300th anniversary was a lot of fun, and there was much information shared by all the participants.  The afternoon session was well attended with the conference and reunion attendees, and many drop in members of the public who came over to see the genealogy exhibits and ask questions!  The query board was full of cards filled out by descendants seeking more information on their ancestors (these will be posted online).  The speakers will put their handouts and power point presentations online, as well. 

The public was given guided tours of the renovations ongoing
at the East Derry First Parish Meetinghouse

The current state of the steeple (it has been reconstructed next
to the church tower, and will be lifted up in place in May).

A close up of the work on the meetinghouse steeple

The MacGregor Family had a large turnout of descendants!

Rebecca Graham of the Maine Ulster Scots Project
discussed the Scots Irish Frontier Women.
The other afternoon speaker was William Roulston of Northern Ireland

David MacCrae of Taunton, Massachusetts drove up just to say "Hello!"

---------------------------

Heather Wilkinson Rojo, "The afternoon session of the Nutfield Founders Weekend Conference and Family Reunion", Nutfield Genealogy, posted April 14, 2019, ( https://nutfieldgenealogy.blogspot.com/2019/04/the-afternoon-session-of-nutfield.html: accessed [access date]).

Founders Day Conference and Family Reunion - Morning Session

Some photos of today's morning session and activities at the Upper Village Hall and at the First Parish Meetinghouse for Founders Day, the 300th anniversary of Nutfield (Londonderry, Derry, Windham and Derryfield, New Hampshire).

There were lots of family trees, samplers, photos, and books

on display for the family reunion of Scots Irish families from Nutfield.

Potato head people announcing the Founders Weekend in front

of the First Parish Meetinghouse

Some wonderful displays from the Ulster Scots Agency

Yours Truly gave a talk on "Nutfield Genealogy Resources"

Ongoing work on the First Parish Meetinghouse steeple

Nutfield 300th Anniversary - Founders Weekend Welcome Dinner

In celebration of the Nutfield 300th Anniversary, the Founders Weekend activities kicked off today with over 50 participants.  Everyone checked in and explored the venues at the First Parish Meetinghouse and the Upper Village Hall in East Derry. There was a "Welcome Dinner" at Fody's Tavern on Ryan's Hill that was well attended with a packed room.  Organizer Paul Lindemann introduced Professor Linde Lunney, all the way from Ireland, who spoke about the original Scots Irish settlers and their folkways with food, wine and poetry. 

Look for these events on the local Derry Community Access channel!

Local historian Marilyn Ham cut the celebratory cake for the attendees.

There is still room for more attendees at tomorrow's conference at the Upper Village Hall, and also please drop by for the free-to-the-public activities all weekend at the First Parish Meetinghouse in East Derry.  See this link for more information:   

https://www.nutfieldhistory.org/300th/founders-weekend/conference

-----------------------------

Heather Wilkinson Rojo, "Nutfield 300th Anniversary - Founders Weekend Welcome Dinner", Nutfield Genealogy, posted April 12, 2019, ( https://nutfieldgenealogy.blogspot.com/2019/04/nutfield-300th-anniversary-founders.html: accessed [access date]). 

Throwback Thursday - 1983 Blizzard in Holden, Massachusetts

Here are some more of the yellow photo slides from Seattle Filmworks.  We used this "less expensive" film when we were poor, starving college students.  I wish I could go back in time and tell myself not to be so cheap, use the Kodak!

I don't know the date of this snow storm, but it looks like we were at my hometown of Holden, Massachusetts when it struck.  Maybe it was Christmas? Or a long weekend?

I remember those days, moving the cars to the street so we could shovel out
the driveway. Vincent had a baby blue Ford Pinto station wagon.

It must have been quite a storm. Look at that snow drift on the roof!

Vincent to the rescue with the snow shovel!

That was a funny way the snow drifted off the roof several feet,
hanging right over the front door.

My Dad had a Chevrolet Impala.  We used to shovel the
driveway by hand, no snowblower or snow plow. 

--------------------------------

Heather Wilkinson Rojo, "Throwback Thursday - 1983 Blizzard in Holden, Massachusetts", Nutfield Genealogy, posted April 11, 2019, ( https://nutfieldgenealogy.blogspot.com/2019/04/throwback-thursday-1983-blizzard-in.html: accessed [access date]).