Dover Historical Society launches its new year

Everyone seems to be in agreement that this has been one of the most unusual winters we have experienced in a long time. New London’s Dover Historical Society finally had the first meeting of the year on Friday, March 24.

Things appear to slow down when the museum is closed for the season, but there is a lot of activity going on that isn’t so obvious. As everyone knows, the museum is badly in need of a wall stretcher. Part of the storage area is being converted to a display area. The museum received a $5,000 Hoaglin Foundation Grant to help with this project. The new area has HVAC, a new east wall with a barn door, suspended ceiling and new lighting. Some painting has been done. The museum is now looking at possible storage under some displays as free space is at a premium. Stored items go into special archival boxes to prevent damage and new ones have been purchased.

Did you know that every item in the museum has its photo taken and is entered into a special museum software program? Connie Hutchcroft is heading that project. If you have been through the museum, you know this is going to take awhile.

Last year’s window project is still waiting to be done. The installer is waiting for the first nice week of 50° to 60° weather when it isn’t raining. We haven’t seen a week like that in a long time.

One new thing this year will be the formation of committees to take control of museum functions and spread the workload around. One major problem is that the board is aging. Yes, we are all a year older, but in many cases it feels like more than a year. We are looking for new, younger blood to help. This will help keep programs and activities from being cut back because the current volunteers are stretched too thin.

The highlight of the year before the museum season opens in May is the arrival of the 2nd graders from Clark Elementary. They will be at the museum on Friday, April 21 in three groups. We could use more help for this event. The things that baby boomers grew up with are introduced to the 2nd graders for the first time such as dial telephones and manual typewriters. They also churn butter, grind grain, saw logs and all kinds of other things which are foreign to them. If all goes well, there will also be a special event for them at the depot. The volunteers have as much fun (maybe more) than the kids.

Join us this year as a member, volunteer, visitor or all three. We look forward to seeing you.