NIHS Newsletter - Week 34, 2025
New Ipswich Library
New Ipswich Library (1907)
The Library building was erected in 1895. It was built entirely with money raised by entertainments of various kinds and gifts of $100 or smaller sums.
Since its erection Mrs. Hubbard of Manchester has given $4,000 for books only. We shall soon receive from the estate of Wm. Boynton, a former trustee, nearly $2500 for books and magazines, and $500 from the late Mrs. Sawyer of Arlington, Mass.
We are promised $10,000 from the estate of Mrs. Henry Blood Whitman of Washington, D. C., later. The town appropriates $250 each year for necessary expense.
A very generous friend has recently added an annex to the building, and also pays a librarian. [posted in Townsman Newspaper July 4, 1907]
Reptiles at the New Ipswich Library
The Library continues to be a wonderful addition to our town. On Saturday August 23, 2025 they held an educational reptile program which introduced a number of unusual animals from all over the globe. Melanie Kane enjoyed the opportunity to do some snake wrangling.
Also a Blue-tongued Skenk
Just for extra creepiness the presenters brought the world’s biggest cockroaches and let us handle them!
James Roger Diaries Entries - 1908
18th August 1908 (Tuesday)
Fine day cool wind. David at Club. I picked 2 fowls, and spread out hay and went to Depot to meet Hamish, with Margaret and Elizabeth. May had a little girl this morning, my birthday. Mrs. Ralph Parker has typhoid fever.
19th August (Wednesday)
Cloudy and cool. David at Club House. Daniel at Ashburnham for Walker. I spread hay, filled church lamps after (?) Supper and cut some lots in Cemetery.
20th August 1908 (Thursday)
Cool and clear wind N.W. David at Club House. I trimmed 2 lots and felt tired in afternoon and went to bed after dinner. Alice and Jessie picked blueberries and brambles. Mother also picked some. Mr. Blanchard called this morning to see about Mr. Preston’s fountain in the Cemetery.
21st August 1908 (Friday)
Beautiful day wind W to SW. David helping to decorate Academy Hall for Club dance tonight. I went to Club House and played golf with Mr. Brazer and John Cummings. Scores: Brazer 2, Cummings 2, Mine 6. Johnnie and I went to Greenville for grain in afternoon. Also cocked hay. Lonie Willard took Johnnie portrait also photo of Margaret & Elizabeth in the swing chair with Johnnie.
22nd August 1908 (Saturday)
Showery and cool. David cleaning up Academy and attending Club House. Finns fixing up Hall for Drama tonight.
23rd August 1908 (Sunday)
Fair and cool. Mr. Peacock preached on “Truth & Freedom”. S.S. after present Mr. & Mrs. Cummings, Mr. & Mrs. Corbett, Mr. Berthold, Mrs. Ferrin, Mrs. Eastmeere, Mrs. Obear, Mr. Wheeler, C.E. at 7pm. Mrs. Thayer leader topic: “Vacation Religion”. A fairly good attendance. Hamish came at 5pm. Alice went for him. David at Club and Academy.
24th August 1908 (Monday)
Fair and cool. David at Academy and Club. Hamish took Alice, Johnnie and Jessie Cochrane to Greenville for noon train en route to Hingham. Hamish went by 4:50. Walter Hardy went with the horses in afternoon to Depot with Walker’s wood stock and took Hamish & Alice’s trunk. Finns came and cleared Hall. Brought in the hay.
Just thinking about all the times James Roger has mentioned going to meet the train in Greenville or bringing people he knew to the station. What a lifeline that was. My grandfather John Kangas and at least one neighbor took the train to Worcester to work during the week and would return home on weekends, we were told. I wonder what it would mean to folks if such a service were available now. Yes I know the financial aspect is very complicated but when I was young, the old people warned us that trains should be kept running “in case there’s ever a war.”
Ah, the ever present "Finns" are mentioned again. I wonder who those Finns were!