Porter Hill Road
New Ipswich Historical Society
Charles A. Plumer Album
These are selections taken from an album of photos taken by Charles A. Plumer. Presented to the New Ipswich Historical Society by Mrs. Melinda R. Kendrew in 1961. Some photos have been hand tinted. Album was compiled by Hazel E. Balch
October 1912
The Stratton House August 1889
The People of New Ipswich
The New Ipswich Historical Society has a large collection of “people” photographs. There are group photos, formal studio portraits and what might be considered snapshots of the day. We’ll feature one or more in this newsletter. Not everyone has been identified, so we’ll appreciate reader input.
Emelda La Montaqne. Emelda was born in 1907 In New Ipswich . Her actual name was probably Marie E. Her parents were Ovide Lamontagne and Emilie Baillargeon both from Canada. Ovide immigrated to the states in 1859 worked in the mill as a weaver. Emelda married Camille J. Choindard in 1924 at the age of 17. Emelda and Camille had a son Joseph who died shortly after birth, Photo taken by Hazel E. Balch.
On this day - May 4, 1908
James Roger diary entry
4th (Monday)
Cool day threatening showers. David teaming for Mr. Walker. G.S. Wheeler got away 158 chickens. Maggie and Jim cleared leaves from lilac hedge at front door. Church meeting at 2 pm. Mr. Corbett elected member of committee. Voted to pay Mr. Peacock $600 per annum. Either party to have the right to terminate agreement by 3 months notice.
On this day - May 4, 1897
William Jurian Kaula diary - no entry
Al Jenks Talk at Library (and Zoom) - May 5th
The New Ipswich Historical Society cordially invites the public to a presentation by Al Jenks on the history of Windblown Cross Country Skiing and Snowshoeing, which he and his family operated from 1972 to 2020. The program will take place at the New Ipswich Library on Thursday, May 5, at 6:30 p.m. NIHS is excited to offer this event free of charge and will make it available via Zoom for those who cannot attend in person. To register for the virtual presentation (Zoom), email info@newipswichhistoricalsociety.org.
In 1963, when Al Jenks was a high-school senior in Acton, MA, he borrowed money from his grandfather to purchase a 400-hundred acre lot from two neighbors, Marion Davis and Schuyler Hollingsworth. After attending college and spending three years in the military, he returned to his property and opened Windblown in the winter of 1972.
A captivating storyteller, Jenks will reflect on his memories of Marion Buck Davis, owner of the former Wapack Lodge and Wapack Trail blazer, share stories of his experiences running the business that drew Nordic skiers and snowshoers from throughout New England, and factors that led to his decision to close Windblown at the end of winter in 2020. A Q & A session will follow.
I find it entertaining to look into the lives of those whose photographs are shared here. Emelda (LaMontagne) Chouinard lived to the ripe old age of 96, 1907-2003, and was buried next to her husband who died in 1981 in the Calvary Catholic Cemetery in Clearwater FL. She may have lost an infant child, as was sadly common in those days, but she and her husband went on to have two sons and a daughter and presumably descendants alive today. I discovered this by searching findagrave.com until I found the correct spelling of their names by trial and error. John, you must be deciphering handwritten notations on the back of photos.
Too bad the Stratton house was torn down. Nice house in the picture