Winter 2025 Newsletter: The premier issue of “History Remembered”
by Randall L Noble
Welcome to the premier issue of “History Remembered”, Hardwick Historical Society newsletter. We are very excited to be able to bring to life some of the stories of Hardwick’s past and the characters and events that have provided such a rich history for this unique town.
The Hardwick Historical Society was created in 1961. Sixty-four years ago, Ernest Ritter and others saw the need and had the passion to collect and preserve the artifacts and writings of Hardwick. The challenge for today is to continue to invite more donations of artifacts and writings, plus the donations of funds, to further the archives and the preservation of historic items.
Hardwick Historical Society is a 501 c3 deductible nonprofit. Donations allow the Society to maintain our Historical Society home and add to the historic collections.
Much has been accomplished over the recent years at the museum.
• The cupola vents were removed and windows added with a hanging light to light it up.
• New signage and lighting were added out front.
• We built a stone kiosk to inform about events.
• ADA compliant ramp was completed.
• New roof and gutters installed, and trim painted.
• Inside: The heating system was replaced.
• Rotted floor sections were replaced.
• UV-proof shades were installed.
• Eight new display cases were acquired, and additional lighting installed, all helping better display our growing collection of historic items.
• Finally, the stairs and the loft’s metamorphosis from useless clutter to a place to store and collate the collection is completed.
I look forward to accomplishing more with the many folks involved in the Historical Society and any efforts to preserve history.
Next, we plan to install a simple bathroom at the museum. We face several challenges on how we will hook up to the water and sewer systems that are just outside, but we believe this issue is solvable. This upgrade will benefit the people staffing and visiting the museum.
I am very proud of the staff and the citizens for their efforts. Yes, we have much more to accomplish, but that passion has made wishes a reality. We are always looking for members that have a passion for history and want to get involved.
The main objective of the society is to improve and flourish and build on the years of hard work of many. It will not fail with the continued help and contributions of people like you who believe in this noble cause.
Any questions should be e-mailed to: hardwickhistoricalsociety@yahoo.com
Donations should be sent to:
PO Box 492 Hardwick, Ma. 01037
Donations can also be made online here.
Looking Back at 2024
I am very excited to announce, that once the engineer’s report revealed we could build out our Museum loft for storage, we contracted with Bob Leet and carpenter Alistair Macmartin to make it happen. 60 feet long and 16 feet wide, this new storage space, including shelving will help so much with archives and storage of items.
During this project we were also able to fix some rotted sills and siding on the cupola, as well as devise a hand crank system for the cupola windows for improved ventilation. The attic floor was insulated and a fan with a thermostat was installed in one of the unused chimneys for better year round ventilation for this new space.
This entire loft/cupola project could only have happened with the generous gift of $25,000 dollars from benefactor Elizabeth Elliot Gardner Ballantine of Wellesley. Her mother was Elizabeth Mixter.
As I bring this message to a close, we mourned the loss of Emily Bancroft in October. It was a truly tragic loss. She was a dear friend to me and the whole community of Hardwick. Emily filled many roles and will be greatly missed by the Hardwick Historical Society, the Hardwick Historical Commission, and all who worked with her. Emily Bancroft was irreplaceable as a mother, author, family matriarch, teacher, traveler, artist, historian, and civic-oriented citizen of the town she loved.
Em, you will be missed.
