Putney Historical Society

In 2002 the Historical Society received the Thwing Mill as a gift from Greg Wilson. Last operated by Charlie and Mary Thwing for 58 years, the mill closed shortly before Charlie’s death in 1946.

We continue to hold great hope for the mill’s potential to enhance our mission of education, preservation, and fostering respect for the town’s history. Now that the gift has been accepted, we remain in the second phase of project development–engaging prospective supporters in preparing a plan for use that can be phased in as funds allow.

If you are interested in participating with the further development of a plan or simply supporting the project, please contact Lyssa Papazian.

As a special event to celebrate Putney’s 250th charter anniversary, the Putney Historical Society Board decided to update the town history, first prepared in 1953 by the Fortnightly Club. Planning for town wide participation began in 1999. Interviewing was conducted for two years. Well over 200 people contributed by interviewing, being interviewed, taking notes, donating photos, writing, editing, and reviewing many versions of the manuscript. Read the entire post: The New Putney History Book, Published in 2003

In 2002, through a grant from the Strolling of the Heifers Foundation, a project coordinated by the Putney Historical Society combined efforts of Putney Central students and teachers, Putney farmers and residents, and Putney artists.  PHS volunteers walked students to various sites  around town. Read the entire post: Reliefs of Historic Putney Houses Restored at PCS

The Putney Town Hall was constructed in 1871 as a proud example of Victorian architecture in post-Civil War Putney.  Sporting many attractive architectural features in the entry, it provided a locus for innumerable town events including dances, plays, dinners, veterans’ gatherings, and the annual town meeting.  Sometime before 1950, the beautiful foyer received a light blue coat of paint, over a previous, dark green coat.  No attempt was made to highlight architectural features of the building at that time; the trim and the walls were given the same thick coat of semi-gloss. Read the entire post: Town Hall Entry Newly Painted

by Stuart Strothman, August 2002, at Angie Wood’s apartment at 91 Main Street

When Angie Wood was three years old, a woman who had been involved in the founding of Northfield Mount Hermon came to New York City, and came to know Angie’s mother, who was young with many children, and little Angie, the fifth, was sick with the flu that took so many lives during World War I. This woman, Mrs. Dunklee, brought Angie to live in the healthier climate of Vernon, Vermont, where she stayed until first grade. Read the entire post: Angie Wood