Walpole

by Walpole Historical Society, Ken Burns (Foreword by)

Overview

Walpole, a picturesque New England town on the banks of the Connecticut River, is older than the nation itself. Founded in 1752 by Colonial charter from New Hampshire's royal governor, the town's history parallels that of the nation, and it retains historic settings-period homes, gardens, squares, and commons. Walpole has been home to farmers, loggers, and mill and railroad workers, as well as artists, writers, and world-class chocolatiers. The traditional sense of community is as alive today in Walpole as it was in the early days, when community was necessary for survival.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780738565491
Publisher:	Arcadia Publishing SC
Publication date:	10/19/2009
Series:	Images of America Series
Pages:	128
Product dimensions:	6.40(w) x 9.20(h) x 0.40(d)

About the Author

The Walpole Historical Society was born in 1930, when the town's oldest home was threatened with replacement by a filling station and citizens mobilized to save the building. The rescued property at Turnpike and North Main Streets was the society's home until 1948, when the donated collections exceeded the space available. In 1950, the historic Walpole Academy building came on the market, and interested private individuals assisted the society with the auction bidding. This stately building is now a most appropriate home for Walpole's historic resources.

Editorial Reviews

Title: Walpole delves into its history
Author: Jessica Arriens
Publisher: Sentinel Source
Date: 10/23/09

In 1930, a group of Walpole women gathered in a little house at the foot of old North Main Street to talk about the past.

They had decided to establish a historical society, and began collecting bits of history from their attics: photo albums, heirloom clothing, personal letters, old newspapers.

Nearly 80 years later, their collection is massive, chronicling a past so rich it could fill nearly a dozen history books.

For now, however, amateur historians will have to make do with one — "Walpole," a recently published book about the town, written by members of the Walpole Historical Society.

The book is "for people who love history and for a broader reading public," said Donna M. Drouin, coordinator of the society's book team and one of the authors.

"It is intended that it be an enjoyable enough read, (so) that anyone can pick it up and be happy with it."

"Walpole" is being published by Arcadia Publishing, a South Carolina-based company which specializes in accounts of local history through its "Images of America" series.

Arcadia has also published books on the history of Keene, Swanzey and Brattleboro.

Part of the proceeds from the sales of "Walpole" will be returned to the historical society.

The money will go toward helping to pay down the mortgage on the society's headquarters — the old Walpole Academy building on Main Street — which needed substantial roof and portico repairs a couple of years ago.

This isn't the first time Walpole's historical society has ventured into the book business — the society published an extensive account of the town's history in 1963.

But that book has been out of print for several years.

So when the historical society board discovered Arcadia, they pitched the idea of a new Walpole history book. It was accepted, and five members of the society have spent about the last 18 months researching and writing the new book.

"There were a lot of hours put into it," said William S. Perron, one of the book's authors.

But the lengthy devotion wasn't a bore, he said.

Instead, "it was a lot of fun."

As with other "Images of America" books, "Walpole" is designed more as photo album than a text-heavy history.

The authors relied mainly on the historical society's own archives for research, and for the hundreds of pictures dotting the pages of the book.

It is arranged chronologically, each chapter charting a different Walpole era.

There are deadly skirmishes with Abenaki Indians, a series of natural disasters that ravaged the town, a stint as a stagecoach center, personalities who colonized the town.

"We had a lot to tell in 126 pages," Drouin said.

So much that it was a challenge for the authors to slim down Walpole's history to meet Arcadia's space requirements.

"If we printed every picture that we wanted (the book) would be 1,000 pages long," said Tara A. Sad, another one of the book's authors.

More accounts of Walpole history could be coming soon — the society is working on forming a committee to update the extensive 1963 history book.

"There's lots of energy within the society, lots of resources," Drouin said.

And, perhaps most importantly, "lots of stories that remain to be told."

u There will be a "Walpole" book release party on Saturday from 4 to 6 p.m. at the Walpole Historical Society at 32 Main St. Cocktails and appetizers will be served. Admission to the party is $10 per person.

From the Publisher