Old Home Picnic

Mrs. Obear's Grove

Sep 06, 2024

Friday, August 29, 1902

Text within this block will maintain its original spacing when published

In observance of Old Home Week, our townspeople assembled at Mrs. Obear's grove, back of the parsonage, Friday forenoon, for a basket picnic. All nature was bright and fresh from recent rains, and the weather, fortunately, all that could be desired. Everything about the beautiful spot, which was near the location chosen for the centennial celebration in 1850, seemed to extend a welcome, and help in making the day one of genuine pleasure. The grounds were supplied with tables and settees, and afforded space for various sports among the young people. Rev. H. A. Barber welcomed the guests and offered prayer. John W. Cummings made the principal address, and afterward read the following, entitled "New Hampshire's Home Week," poem, composed by Mrs. L. A. Obear on her 82d birthday:

Hark! a sound from the valleys,
Like the "gathering of the clans!"
And I picture bands of "Tartans,"
With the bag-pipes in their vans-
And I bend my head, to listen,
As the far sound dies away,
But catch no sharp, shrill Pibroch
That calls men to the fray!
Nor "from hills where hirsel are grazing,"
Nor "glen of the buck and the roe,"
"To the craigs with beacon fires blazing,"
"Come buckler, and lance, and bow."

These are voices of peace from the valleys
Coming up from the village street
Are murmurs of joyous greetings,
And clatter of horses' feet.
And rumblings of wheels and rail-cars;
And from open window and door,
Glad shouts of happy children,
And joy, and rejoicing pour,
And all along the hill-sides
From homesteads full of peace,
The notes of joy and gladness,
With gathering night increase?

"Tis the daughters and sons of New Hampshire,
Come home to their native hills;
To breath the air from her mountains,
To drink from her crystal rills-
To roam mid the haunts of childhood,
And sit by the household fires
Where sat their fathers and mothers
And their fathers' and mothers' sires;
To renew their love of virtue,
Of country, God, and Truth,
And take to marts of business,
The memories of their youth.

And the Granite State bids them welcome,
From her mountains capped with snow,
To the broad and beautiful valleys,
That sleep where her rivers flow!
Welcome to town and village!
Welcome to cities' marts!
To homes, and farms, and firesides,
And to warm and loving hearts!
And as long as stand her mountains.
And as long as her sons shall roam,
Each year may they turn their footsteps
Toward their long-loved mountain home.

At 3 p. m., the company repaired to the Academy grounds, where a game of baseball was watched with interest. The Townsend Cornet, band furnished music during the day and gave a concert in the evening, receiving many well-merited compliments for their excellent work.

New Ipswich Cornet Band

Most towns had a cornet band. The Townsend Cornet band played for the picnic but New Ipswich had a band of their own. Included in this photo are Walter Hardy, Willaim Preston, Charles Knowlton, Robert B. Walker, A. Walker, George Churchill, Arthur Chase, Mr. Burton, Walter. Photo taken by Leon R. Willard in front of the Children's Oak. Photo given by Mrs. Robert Walker.

NI Historical Society Website

James Roger diary entry

September 6^th 1908 (Sunday)

Dull and drizzly. Mr. Peacock preached on the institution of sacrifice and Passover, he dispensed communion for the first time since his ordination. Some for reasons known only to themselves left without partaking. Viz. Mr. & Mrs. Myron Taylor, Mrs. Sampson, and others were absent. Miss Taylor, Mrs. Obear, Mrs. M^cKown &c. No Sabbath School. C.E. at 7pm. Mr. Peacock leader Topic: Life with Christ average attendance.

September 14, 2024 - 13:30

New Ipswich Historical Society cordially invites the public to its Annual Meeting and Program.

FINNS: An Oral History of Finnish-Americans
in New Hampshire’s Monadnock Region

Presented by Patricia Kangas Ktistes

New Ipswich Museum of History (72 Academy Road) - formerly Appleton Academy