Hinesburg Historical Society

Minutes for August 27, 2009 

Present: Kate Bissonette, Gill Coates, Marshall Delaire, George Dameron, Maggie Gordon, Aaron Kimball, Kitty LaClair, Jean Miner, Suzanne Richard, John Roberts, Sue Roberts, Mr. & Mrs. Leonard

The minutes from the July 25, 2009 meeting were read and accepted. Maggie noted that additional signers were needed for the Merchants Bank account, and John, Jean, and George offered to put their names on the account.

Jean passed around a book that was donated to the HHS by Charlie Leonard: A Look Around Hinesburg and Charlotte Vermont by Lilian B. Carlistle, ed. 

There was discussion about the Hinesburg Fall Festival to be held on Saturday, September 26, 2009. Jeannie Masseau’s project to photograph former members of the HHS is almost complete, and we need to decide what to do with them. The Fall Festival is a perfect opportunity to display them, and display doors have been made availalble for the exhibit. There are portraits of Buelah Busier, Daisy Bissonette, Phyllis Russell, Carolyn Harvey, Paul Eddy, Mildred Aube, and Peggy Francis (the portrait of Jean Miner is not yet finished).

The HHS can use the meeting room downstairs in the Town Hall for the Festival. As far as we know, we have the entire room. Jean asked if Ann would be able to enlarge photos for the display (yes); those, in addition to the Then and Now book, could be the center of the display. It was suggested that a list of ongoing projects, along with a sign-up sheet for new members, might help to increase membership. Maggie offered to provide both. Members can stagger their attendance during the day Saturday so that there is always someone in the room to answer questions.

Jean brought in a photo of the large house across from the elementary school. Kate said that there used to be a store there, and also that a murder occurred there. Jean mentioned that there was a murder in Mechanicsville as well – she saved the newspaper clipping. The Russell murder was also mentioned: early in the 1800’s former farmhand Henry Welcome broke in and shot Mr. Russell. He was hanged in Windsor. George added that there was a stabbing in a trailer 3-4 years ago as well.

George noted that Earl Mead had told him the story of how his family moved to Hinesburg; he also has photographs that the HHS would be interested in. George also brought in a postcard of Main Street in 1909, of what looks like Aaron’s house. He asked what should be done with it, and Suzanne reminded the group that Ann scans everything for the digital archive. 

Maggie suggested that there be a “Do you recognize…” display for the Fall Festival. Marshall mentioned a 1970 reunion photo of the 1910 class of the Hinesburg Academy from the UVM archive in which not all individuals have yet been identified. 

Suzanne moved on to ask what should be done with artifacts. Tyler Dawson had called to say that his parents were cleaning out their papers, and did the HHS want them? She has started going through them, which include photos of camps on Lake Iroquois. She has tried (unsuccessfully) to match up the photos with present-day camps at the lake. Aaron asked if there were any room in the town vault for the HHS to store photos. Jean answered that she did not know, although it is climate-controlled in there. 

Jean mentioned the article in the Record that the police and fire departments need more room. There is a proposal that the Fire Department building be expanded to include room for the Police station, which would free up the building where the Police Department is now housed. Jean has spoken to Jeanne Wilson about the possibility of the HHS using a room in that building, or of using a space in the Town Hall if other town offices are moved. Jean would love to see all the photos, papers, and artifacts belonging to the HHS (many of which currently reside in her guest room) in one place.

George emailed members a draft of the Walking Tour. Some of the information comes from the Dunville survey which was done for the state in the late 70’s. The town steering committee has a copy. The survey mentions that the Russell house was once an inn. Were they confusing it with Lantman’s, right next door? Jean thinks the Russell house has always been private. George plans on walking around the town with an art historian from St. Mike’s for information on architectural details that will be helpful for the walking tour. 

Suzanne brought a copy of the History Mystery brochure, and Aaron said that the web site had received an email asking about the clues in the brochure. They are available in the Town Clerk’s office, the library, and Lantman’s.

Charlie Leonard talked a bit about his family. He and his wife have known each other since they were 13 years old. Although he didn’t grow up in Hinesburg (John & Maud Hart bought the Leonard farm) there are four generations of Leonards buried in Hinesburg. He asked John where the Leonard diary was found. John said that it was bought from a bookseller online, and there is no indication as to who originally had it. John said it’s likely that it came through an estate sale.

George asked Jean about significant land use changes that she’s noticed over the years, and Jean talked about open farmland growing back to trees. It made her think of how hard someone once worked to clear the land of trees and boulders. Gill mentioned that the land for CVU was once the Tucker farm: their house was at the 4-way stop (it has since burned). The land where the track is now was part of Jean’s father’s land. The only operating dairy farm left in Hinesburg now is that of Larry Garvey.

At the close of the meeting Aaron said that he would go ahead and post the bylaws that have been approved. Other action items include circulating a list of ongoing projects for the Fall Festival poster (Maggie) and finding photos for the “Do you recognize…?” exhibit (Ann, Jean, Kate).

The next meeting of the Hinesburg Historical Society will be held on Thursday, September 24, 2009 from 7 p.m. - 9 p.m.

- Maggie Gordon, Secretary