Historical Society Oral History Program on Tuesday, July 13
A state ward, a doctor serving in World War I, a newspaper columnist and the first woman to drive cross-country are among the Tunbridge residents whose words will be shared on Tuesday, July 13.
The Tunbridge Historical Society will present the “In Their Words” local history program at the Tunbridge Church at 8 p.m. Costumed presenters will read writings by the following people:
- Florence Spaulding, who lived at the bottom of Monarch Hill Road, was the first woman to drive across the United States in 1914. She did it six times.
- Dr. Olin Angell wrote home while serving in World War I with the U.S. Army Medical Corps in 1918. He was the father of Tunbridge residents Mertie Clark and Byron Angell. Angell will read the letter.
- Hugh Lyman’s 1919 missive challenged Chelsea to a tug of war.
- Carol Mead and two siblings were state wards in the 1930-40s. Her reminiscence tells about life in Tunbridge, where she lived in the house next to the Grange Hall.
- Sena Farnham, who was left with two babies and a farm to run, wrote to her husband who was serving in Virginia during the Civil War with the 12th Vermont Infantry Regiment.
- Henrietta Bliss loved to write letters. A chatty one she sent her sister in 1855 will be read.
- Dr. H.A. Reynolds, who wrote “Tunbridge Tidbits” for a Montpelier newspaper, was leader of the Reynolds Family Orchestra in which he performed with two daughters. Some of his tidbits will be shared.
The program is free. For information, call 889-3458 or 889-5528.