It is with sadness that we note the passing of Marion (Lull) Howe, one of our oldest members. Marion lived in Hollis since 1918 when her family moved here in a horse-drawn wagon, with her family cow tagging behind. Her father established the still active Lull Farm on Broad street. She graduated as valedictorian at Hollis High School in 1928. in 1940 she married Clarence Howe and moved to a farm on Ranger Road where she lived the rest of her life. She was a talented gardener and devoted to her family. Marion was outgoing and always willing to donate her time and share her memories of life in Hollis. Over the years, she provided many artifacts, farm implements, furniture, dishes, textiles and vintage clothing for the Society's exhibits and museums and for Old Home Day. Marion embodied much that is special about Hollis - friendliness, generosity and community spirit. We will miss her.
We are grateful to Ted Chamberlain for his willingness to wind his way though all the maze of wires in the Wheeler House basement, and in no time, have us equipped with a phone jack downstairs. He then came up with a new wall phone and we were in business. What a help not to have to run upstairs when the phone rings if we are working downstairs. We appreciate it so much
Thanks again Ted!
In late fall Eleanor Whittermore gave us 4 lovely dresses that belonged to Nellie Cameron Hardy, Eleanor's grandmother. This has prompted us to have an Exhibit of Vintage Clothing this spring and summer at the Wheeler House. We have other beautiful articles of clothing that were given to us in the past, and every item tells a bit more about the life in Hollis years ago. We will have more details and opening dates in our April meeting.
Last year the Hollis Historical Society also received a very special gift from Hugh and Doreen Mercer of Hollis. They gave us the very large brass scale and larger coffee grinder that were used at the General Store at "The Block" on Main Street. These items will bring back memories to lots of our long-time Hollis residents, I'm sure, and so the the Historical Society hopes to replicate a small town country store upstairs in the Engine House this summer.
It should be fun, and if any of you have something you might like to loan us for the exhibit just call the Wheeler House at 603-465-3935, and leave us a message, or call any of the officers. Maybe you have a special memory, or an idea for an exhibit, and we will be happy to hear about that too. After all, our exhibits at the Engine House are fore the whole community. Let's share the fun and the memories.
Each gift to the Hollis Historical Society is a special gift. Whether it is an article from a newspaper, photo, farm tool, piece of furniture, or whatever, if it pertains to Hollis, we would be most grateful to receive it. Without those gifts, how can we keep our Hollis History alive and pass it on to the next generation to come?
Thank you for remembering us, and your support.
Martha Davis
Accessions.
Our job is to preserve Hollis history but the furnace must go! The current oil furnace in the Wheeler House is 50 years old and needs to be replaced this coming summer. The furnace was cleaned and rated for efficiency last fall. It received a rating of 65% which means that 35% of the energy is wasted in the heat exchange process within the furnace. Heating oils is the most expensive item in the Historical Society budget so a new furnace and circulating pump cannot wait another year. I am sure our membership can relate to this problem, as everyone is becoming energy conscious.
The Board has had many discussions about how to pay for this improvement and has decided that no change will be made in membership dues, (which are the lowest in the area). Many of our senior members are living on fixed incomes and to many other expenses are going up, including healthcare and ENERGY costs.
When the annual dues notice is sent out, we will be asking for voluntary furnace donations. Follow the instructions and CHECK THE FURNACE DONATION BOX if you can afford to toss in a few extra $$. We need your help! The estimated cost of a new oil furnace, 2 circulating pumps, and installation is $5000.
I am pleased to report that the rest of our expenditures are on budget and we have been able to bring the membership some great programs like the evening with Eleanor Roosevelt and the Flying Yankee presentation, which is the historical train that will soon be back on the tracks in N.E. There is no charge for these programs even though we incur speakers fees and other expenses. The program for the next year will even better!
Thanks in advance for all your help.
Randy Prozeller
Treasurer
Lorden Oil has generously donated the new furnace and the labor costs for installation of the unit. Due to the generosity the furnace fund has been discontinued.
Thank you Lorden Oil for your generous contribution!!