Volunteers William Morrissey, center, of Southwick, uses a bubble level to check the installation of new sign sign at the C. J. Gillett building, as John Bannish, top left, and Mike Morrissey, top right, secure the sign. The Southwick Historic Museum is located at 86-88 College Highway in Southwick. (Photo by Frederick Gore)
SOUTHWICK – The Southwick Historical Society is getting ready for a full season this fall.
The group kicked off its efforts to fundraise and celebrate Southwick’s history with a new sign at the CJ Gillett Cigar Factory Museum Wednesday morning. Donated by Society member and renowned artist Sally Killips, the sign is just one way the group hopes to attract people to the museum and other activities.
“We are always trying to do some fundraising events people enjoy,” said Killips.
The Historical Society will begin its fall programs with a presentation by Robert Brown on the Covered Bridges of Westfield during its meeting Sept. 26 a the Christ Church United Methodist on College Highway.
Then, the Society will offer information and hold a raffle at the annual Granville Harvest fair, slated for Oct. 11-14.
“We will have some really great items to raffle, including a handmade scarf, hand-hooked rug, and I’m hoping Joyce Bannish will have another homemade quilt for us,” said Killips.
The fall fun continues the following weekend with the second annual Spirit Walk on Saturday, Oct. 18 from 2-4 p.m. in the old town cemetery.
Costumed members of the Society will portray some of Southwick’s most interesting historical figures who are buried in the cemetery. Last year’s tour guests included Southwick’s very own Lizzy Borden – Martha Ottenheimer – who murdered her father with an axe in 1938. Perhaps this year her father, Lester Vining, may make an appearance.
“It’s a lot of fun and we have a great list of historical figures in our reference room at the cigar museum,” Killips said. “You never know who will show up.’
The Society’s programs and events are free, but donations are appreciated. Killips said the group recently sent letters to local businesses soliciting donations and explaining the importance of keeping Southwick’s history alive.
In that vein, Killips will teach a program on hooked rugs at the museum in early October and hopes there will be similar workshops planned soon.
“We want to keep the old traditions alive,” she said. “I think a lot of people are looking back to those enjoyable crafts, such as quilting and rug hooking.”
While every third grade student in the school systems receives a complete lesson in Southwick’s history, including a tour of the Moore House and CJ Gillett Cigar factory Museum, Killips said the society wants to educate the community at large. To entice people to visit and learn more about the town, they are organizing a historical scavenger hunt set for next spring.
“Tobacco has a bad rep, but it is an integral part of the history of Southwick and the Connecticut River Valley,” Killips said. “My family all worked tobacco, and it was a fun time.”
The Moore House and Museum are open the second and fourth Sunday of each month from 2-4 p.m. They will be open this Sunday, Aug. 24.
