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Monadnock Center Blog

Peterborough Academy Opens August 21 1837
By August 20, 2020 Read More →

Peterborough Academy Opens August 21 1837

On August 21, 1837, the Peterborough Academy opened its doors to local scholars for the first time. Before the Academy opened, parents who wanted their children to have a high school education sent their students to private academies in other towns like Hancock, New Ipswich and Francestown. The Peterboro’ Academy Association To address the need […]

Green Peas for Corrinda’s Birthday
By August 6, 2020 Read More →

Green Peas for Corrinda’s Birthday

August 6, 1837 Fresh green peas are plentiful in the garden so I prepared them up for dinner today. I cooked them with sugar and mint which is how my mother said the English cooked them. Peas are Corrinda’s favorite vegetable so she was happy to sit with her big sister Lydia shelling the peas […]

Seneca Falls Historic Dinner
By July 19, 2020 Read More →

Seneca Falls Historic Dinner

We planned to travel back to the year 1848 at this year’s Historic Dinner Benefit. On July 19-20, 1848, the first Woman’s Rights Convention was held in Seneca Falls, New York. Led by Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Lucretia Mott, the convention set in motion a 72-year journey to secure for women their full rights as […]

Long Summer Evenings
By July 14, 2020 Read More →

Long Summer Evenings

July 14, 1837 We have been enjoying these long summer evenings. What a pleasant change from those short, cold days of winter. Just a few months ago we’d be in bed before it was dark under the table. Just too cold to stay up any longer. Tonight it was still light outside at half past […]

Fickle Weather
By July 8, 2020 Read More →

Fickle Weather

The kitchen garden first planting is complete, although its productivity may be prejudiced by delays in its undertaking. Fickle weather, the lament of all who crop the land, and my own distractions were partners in these halts. May our fall crop plantings be more timely.  Still and all, only the broom corn is yet to […]

A Wedding Quilt
By July 7, 2020 Read More →

A Wedding Quilt

July 7, 1837 My cousin’s daughter Mary is getting married. As is tradition, my cousin asked me to sew up a nine-patch quilt block to be part of a quilt done up for Mary. My scrap basket had enough printed material scraps from an old dress the girls outgrew. I’m quite proud of my signature […]

94th Annual Independence Day Ceremony
By July 4, 2020 Read More →

94th Annual Independence Day Ceremony

Every year since 1926, the Monadnock Center has marked the nation’s birth with a Reading of the Declaration of Independence and flag raising ceremony. We hope you enjoy this virtual ceremony featuring Bonnie and Baxter Harris reading the Declaration of Independence and photos from July 4th and other patriotic celebrations in the past. Happy Fourth […]

We are re-opening July 8!
By July 3, 2020 Read More →

We are re-opening July 8!

The Monadnock Center is re-opening on July 8! The center’s regular open hours are Wed-Sat, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Our re-opening plan During these uncertain times, we will operate in new ways to protect the health and safety of our guests, volunteers, and staff. Our re-opening plan is based on requirements and best practices […]

Lydia’s Sampler
By June 16, 2020 Read More →

Lydia’s Sampler

June 14, 1837 Daughter Lydia has completed her sampler. She has spent many hours during these last six months working on her piece. It certainly kept her busy sitting by the fire or by candlelight during the long winter months. When I was growing up, my mother taught my sisters and me how to embroider […]

Two Rocks
By June 8, 2020 Read More →

Two Rocks

Worked up more garden ground in hopes of soon planting our warm weather crops of beans, squash, cucumbers and broom corn.  Despite more daylight, serving 12 hours every day in the Mill burdens my time for such other affairs.   While having turned this soil for several years, I am still picking stones from it.  […]