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.
Town Hall Entry Newly Painted
Angie Wood
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.
Father James Coombs
by Stuart Strothman, August 2002, at the rectory on Old Depot Rd.
Father James Coombs, who resided at the Catholic rectory on Old Depot Road, first came to Putney in 1942 for summer vacations. His grandfather had lived in Vermont, working as a stonecutter in West Dummerston, and so his father was born here, and had come to know the area’s native beauty; in fact, all of Father Coombs’ brothers and sisters were born in West Dummerston.
Doris Fredericks
by Michael C. Morello, Landmark student, April 2002
Doris Fredericks, owner of the Clay School, has been a citizen of Putney, Vermont since 1978. Her past has had many twists and turns, which eventually led her to this small semi-rural town in southern Vermont.
Partial List of Interviews—History of Putney, 2003
The following is a partial list of interviews conducted during the writing of the 2003 history: Putney: World’s Best Known Small Town. Arcadia, 2003. Most are unrecorded by audio or video.
Ines Zeller
by Mark Rosen, Landmark student, April 2002
This year, writers of a historical book about Putney relied on engagement of volunteers who interviewed and wrote summaries about people, organizations, businesses, and places in Putney. These materials will be used to make statements about general themes and trends regarding town life in the last 50 years. The purpose of my interview was to interview a Putney resident with intercultural ties about living in Putney, and to gather a sense of some typical occurrences in daily life.
Curtis All American B-B-Q
by Vashon Townshend, Landmark student, May 2002
In an effort to learn about the history of Putney, Vermont from the perspective of one of its citizens, I interviewed Mr.Curtis Tuff, an African American, who owns Curtis’ Barbecue in Putney. The following are the results of that interview.
Curtis arrived in Putney many years ago following his involvement in a counterculture community, which he said was mostly a recreational experience. He explained that his life was very “laid back” and peaceful. From the beginning of his time in Putney, he enjoyed living in the mountains and the open spaces.
William Graham: Law enforcement in Putney
By Stuart Strothman, June 2002
For every land where reasonable law is held as the standard for society, there must be people to enforce the law. These people are in a demanding position, not only because bravery and clarity are required as a matter of course, but because a careful balance must be found between law enforcement, peacekeeping, and respect for the constitutional rights of citizens. William Graham, as a longtime citizen and well-respected law enforcement officer in the town of Putney, with more than thirty years spent as Windham County Sheriff, seems to have created a comfortable balance in his lifetime, as has Henry Farnum, also of Putney, fourteen years his chief deputy and recently county sheriff. Though many people in Windham may not realize, citizens of the town of Putney have played a very important role in the development of reliable law enforcement, county wide.
Annual Meeting: September 11, 2005
Location: Putney Cares Barn
Members present: Ruth Barton, Laurel Ellis, Barbara Taylor, Lindley Speers, Jane Rawley, Stuart Strothman, Tom Jamison, Jacquie Walker.
Also present: Laura Heller, Marilyn Loomis, Bill Darrow Jr., and about forty others.
Minutes
The meeting was called to order by president Ruth Barton, who began by mentioning the accomplishments, and sad passing of Elaine Dixon, whose loss we felt deeply.