ARCH

Gatsby Garden Party at the Wentworth House

Nearly a century ago in the 1920s, the historic Colonel Paul Wentworth House in Rollinsford, NH hosted formal garden parties, concerts and teas, along with exhibits of colonial-era artifacts. The Roaring Twenties will return to the Wentworth House on Sunday, July 16 with a 1920s Gatsby Garden Party from 1 to 4 pm.

The public is invited to enjoy an afternoon of croquet on the lawn, other vintage indoor and outdoor pastimes, music, and exhibits of local artifacts from the 1920s. Guests may also tour the house and view “Fashionable Folks: What New Englanders Wore,” an exhibit of clothing from the 1830s to the 1920s. Light refreshments will be served but guests are welcome to bring a picnic lunch to enjoy in the garden. Jazz Age attire is encouraged but not required.

This event is hosted by the nonprofit Association for Rollinsford Culture and History (ARCH). Admission to the Gatsby Garden Party is $5 for the general public; ARCH members and children under 16 are free. For reservations or more information, call (603) 742-4747 or send an email to [email protected].

Maintained by ARCH as an educational and cultural center for the community, the circa 1701 Wentworth House is located on Water Street in Rollinsford and hosts living history events, exhibits, and school and youth programs. For more information about this and other events at the Wentworth House, consult the ARCH website at paulwentworthhouse.org or on Facebook at The Colonel Paul Wentworth House.

July 3, 2017 in Community Group, Historical

Defending the Frontier at the Wentworth House 

In March 1690, a sudden attack by French and Native American raiders devastated the English settlement along the Salmon Falls River in what is now South Berwick, Maine. As the English, French and Native Americans all struggled for control of New England in the late 1600s, English colonists in the Piscataqua region lived under constant threat of attack. To demonstrate how English colonists defended their homes, historical re-enactors portraying Benjamin Church’s Company of rangers will be encamped at Rollinsford’s historic Colonel Paul Wentworth House on Saturday and Sunday, June 17 and 18.

Considered by some to be the forerunner of today’s US Army Rangers, Benjamin Church’s Company was organized to defend English frontier settlements and used fighting tactics learned from Native Americans to carry out offensive strikes against the French and hostile Indians. In addition to displays and demonstrations of military equipment and tactics, demonstrations of early American home life and crafts will be offered from 10 am to 4 pm on both days, along with tours of the house. A donation of $5 is suggested for adults; the event is free to children and ARCH members.

To understand the conflict from the opposing side, on Saturday visitors may cross the river into South Berwick, where the company of “Les Mousquets du Roi,” French re-enactors from Montreal, along with Penobscot interpreter Ken Hamilton, will be encamped next to the Counting House Museum on Liberty Street.

The circa 1701 Wentworth House is located on Water Street in Rollinsford and is maintained by the Association for Rollinsford Culture and History (ARCH).  For more information about this and other events at the Wentworth House, consult the ARCH website at paulwentworthhouse.org or on Facebook at The Colonel Paul Wentworth House.

 

June 8, 2017 in Historical

1777 Home-Front Event at Wentworth House

When we think about the American Revolution, images of soldiers with muskets come to mind. But how did the war affect the daily lives of civilians and the families left at home? Explore this lesser told side of American history at 1777 Home-Front, a two-day living history event at Rollinsford’s historic Colonel Paul Wentworth House on Saturday and Sunday, April 29 and 30.

It is April 1777, two years into the war, and town residents are meeting at the Wentworth House to gather supplies and clothing to send to the army, while the Colonel’s family tends to the everyday tasks of maintaining the house and its grounds. Historical re-enactors portraying Wentworth family members and their neighbors will bring this moment in history to life as they prepare meals from the hearth to the table, tend to the gardens, discuss the events of the day, and sew clothing and other much-needed supplies for the troops. Each day will also see visits by local vendors, merchants, army recruiters, and men of the town preparing for the impending call to arms.

Visitors to the event will experience the sights and sounds of a household during the American Revolution, and can tour a home which has stood through three centuries of American history. This event will run from 10 am to 4 pm on both days. Admission is $5 for the general public; free for children and members of ARCH.

The circa 1701 Wentworth House is located on Water Street in Rollinsford, NH and is maintained by the Association for Rollinsford Culture and History (ARCH).  For more information about this and other events at the Wentworth House, consult the ARCH website at paulwentworthhouse.org or on Facebook at The Colonel Paul Wentworth House.

April 3, 2017 in Highway Department

Cribbage Tournament at Wentworth House

The historic Colonel Paul Wentworth House in Rollinsford will host its 8th annual cribbage tournament on Saturday, March 4. The public is invited to take a break from cabin fever with stimulating conversation and a classic card game.

All skill ranges are welcome, from beginner to seasoned expert. Guests are invited to come as a team or as individuals. Solo players will be paired up with a partner on the afternoon of the tournament. Registration is at 1:00 pm and play begins at 1:30 pm. The entry fee is $30 per team or $20 per person, and a cash prize of $50 will be awarded to the tournament champion. Players are also asked to bring some food to share and the beverage of your choice. Paper goods and utensils will be provided.

The cribbage tournament is a great opportunity to show support for the Colonel Paul Wentworth House, meet new people and have a fun time. Seating is limited so reserve your spot by sending an email to [email protected] and providing your name and the number in your party. Or register by calling Mike at 603-817-4545 or John at 207-475-6150.

The circa 1701 Wentworth House is located on Water Street in Rollinsford and is maintained by the Association for Rollinsford Culture and History (ARCH).  For more information about this and other events at the Wentworth House, consult the ARCH website at paulwentworthhouse.org.

 

February 27, 2017 in Community

Wentworth House Event: Winter Life in Colonial New England

Experience a colonial living history weekend with Captain John Harmon’s Snowshoe Company of Rangers at the historic Colonel Paul Wentworth House in Rollinsford, NH on Saturday and Sunday, January 14 and 15.

Reenactors portraying the winter rangers who patrolled the New England frontier during the 1740s and 1750s will demonstrate the use of flintlock muskets and traditional snowshoes, plus the clothing, equipment and tactics used by the frontier militia during conflicts with the French and their Native American allies in the mid-1700’s.

The public is invited to meet the snowshoe men on Saturday, January 14 from 10 am to 4 pm, and again on Sunday from 10 am to 4 pm.  Interpreters in colonial attire will be on hand to demonstrate 18th century hearth cooking, crafts, board games and other recreational activities, and other aspects of winter life in colonial New England. Tours of the house will also be offered. A donation of $5 is suggested for adults; the event is free to children and ARCH members.

The circa 1701 Wentworth House is located on Water Street in Rollinsford and is maintained by the Association for Rollinsford Culture and History (ARCH).  For more information about this and other events at the Wentworth House, consult the ARCH website at paulwentworthhouse.org or on Facebook at The Colonel Paul Wentworth House.

Captain John Harmon’s Snowshoe Company of Rangers, French and Indian War era, at the Colonel Paul Wentworth House in Rollinsford, NH, January 17, 2015.
Photograph by Ralph Morang

January 7, 2017 in Community Group, Historical

Nesman to Receive Heritage Award

The story of a community is told through the documents and objects people leave behind but sadly, these are often dispersed over the years. In recognition of his efforts to bring these objects home and tell our story, the Association for Rollinsford Culture and History (ARCH) has chosen Robert Nesman as the recipient of the 2016 ARCH Heritage Award. Given annually to recognize significant contributions to the preservation of the history, heritage and culture of Rollinsford and the lower Salmon Falls Region, the award will be presented to Nesman this Saturday night, November 12, at the organization’s annual dinner and auction at Spring Hill in South Berwick, Maine.

Over the past twenty years Mr. Nesman has amassed a significant collection of ephemera and objects related to the history of Rollinsford. A lifelong resident of the town, he began collecting in the 1990s when he happened upon a piece from Salmon Falls and realized that more items could be found if he looked for them.

Today Nesman’s collection numbers over 500 pieces, much of it documents such as deeds, wills, letters from mill girls, advertising handbills from local businesses, and postcards but which also includes objects such as police and fire badges, items from fraternal organizations, and a bottle from Nutter’s Pharmacy. The oldest item in the collection is a deed for property in the Baer Road area dating to 1750 and bearing the name of Daniel Clements. His favorite object in his collection? “The one I haven’t found yet!” One of Nesman’s greatest pleasures is reuniting photographs and other items with families which still reside in the area, and he has also generously shared his collection with local historical societies.

A nonprofit organization dedicated to preserving the history and heritage of Rollinsford and the lower Salmon Falls region, ARCH maintains the historic Colonel Paul Wentworth House on Water Street in Rollinsford. For more information, please contact (603)742-4747 or consult the website at www.paulwentworthhouse.org.

November 10, 2016 in Community Group, Historical

Family Fun Day Schedule 

Salmon Falls Family Fun Day 2016 Rollinsford American Legion

Foundry Street

Sunday, September 25

Noon – 8:00PM for fireworks!

Join us after the Salmon Run 5K – and keep the fun going until the sun goes down!

Activities are all day 12:00 – 4:00 in Ball Field –certain performances time listed below

Scavenger hunt – Pick up your clues at the Library table and head to the trail

behind the community garden.

Kids’ carnival games and Picture taking displays  

Arch – Try your luck with graces, ball and cup, bowling and maybe hoop and stick.  

Chris Benedetto – Will be dressing as a Revolutionary War soldier since it is the 240th anniversary of 1776. He will be doing drills and firing a few times (with blanks of course). Also, one of their board members will be doing a presentation as a World War I soldier since the American Legion is partly named after William Martel, who was killed in France in 1918.

Concessions $$$, 50/50 raffle $$$

Rollinsford Community Garden – Selling Grilled Corn $$$

Linda Watson Selling Shaved Ice $$$

Cookie baking contest –vote for your favorite 1PM-4PM – Legion Hall -prizes

Scarecrow decorating contest – vote for your favorite 1PM -4PM – Outside of hall-prizes

 Garrison Players Youth– Performing songs from “Little Mermaid” 12:30 Legion Hall

Belletete Ballet- Dance Performance 1:30 Legion Hall

Fire Department field games 1PM Ballfield

Wildlife Encounters – Sponsored by Rollinsford Education Foundation and Linda Watson 3PM Ballfield

Police-sponsored spaghetti dinner (5-6:30) Legion Hall 

Music during dinner performed by: June and the Honey Badgers (5-6:30) Legion Hall

DJ – Patrick Gale & street dancing (6:30-8:00)

FIREWORKS! (8:00)

Many exciting activities are planned to bring our local families and neighbors together!! To end the day with a bang, we’re bringing back the tradition of an amazing fireworks display over the Salmon Falls River.

Thank you to the local businesses for their donations and town organizations who have donated time to make this event a reality!

September 19, 2016 in Community Group

World War II at the Wentworth House

The public is invited to stop by the Colonel Paul Wentworth House in Rollinsford, NH on Sunday, September 11 from 11:00 am to 4:00 pm for a living history day showcasing America’s role in World War II.
Reenactors in period uniforms and in civilian clothing will display the uniforms, equipment and weapons of the US soldier. Visitors will be able to see a newspaper from the day after Pearl Harbor while listening to radio broadcasts from that momentous event, try out a 1940’s baseball glove, see a US machine gun crew in action, and learn about Maine and New Hampshire in World War II. 
The circa 1701 Colonel Paul Wentworth House is located on Water Street in Rollinsford and is maintained by the Association for Rollinsford Culture and History (ARCH). Tours of the house will also be offered during the event. Admission is $5 for adults; the event is free to children and ARCH members. For more information about this and other events at the Wentworth House, consult the ARCH website at paulwentworthhouse.org.

September 9, 2016 in Community Group, Historical

Salmon Falls River Paddle

Take a unique guided tour of Rollinsford, Berwick and Somersworth by canoe or kayak on Sunday, August 7 from 1 to 3 pm. The Association for Rollinsford Culture and History (ARCH) and the Southeast Land Trust (SELT) are co-sponsoring this opportunity to learn about the historic points of interest and conservation land along the Salmon Falls River between Front Street in Rollinsford and New Dam Road in Berwick while enjoying the lovely scenery along the way.

Participants must provide their own watercraft and flotation device; a limited number of boats are available for loan but must be arranged for in advance. The registration fee is $5 for the general public; free to ARCH or SELT members. To register or request more information, email [email protected] or call 603-742-4747 and leave a message.

August 1, 2016 in Community Group, Historical

Sports History Talks at the Wentworth House

Baseball fans and bicycling enthusiasts who are interested in the histories of their respective sports won’t want to miss two up-coming talks at Rollinsford’s historic Colonel Paul Wentworth House. Both lectures are being presented in connection with “Neighborhood Entertainments: New Englanders at Play,” the exhibit on early New England sports and recreation currently on view at the Wentworth House.Zip Zamarchi will present an illustrated talk about penny farthings, bone shakers and other forerunners of the modern bicycle on Tuesday, July 26. Mr. Zamarchi is a cycling historian and an avid collector of antique bicycles and bicycling memorabilia. Several items from his extensive collection are included in the exhibit.

On Tuesday, August 9, Brian Sheehy will describe the game of baseball the way it was played by early teams such as the Portsmouth Rockinghams and the Newburyport Clamdiggers: no gloves, underhand pitching, and woolen knickerbocker uniforms. In addition to being an historian of the game, Mr. Sheehy plays base ball in the style of the 1800s with the Essex Vintage Base Ball Club.

Both talks will be presented at 7 pm, and the doors will open at 6 pm for visitors who would like to tour the exhibit prior to the presentation. Light refreshments will be served afterwards. Admission to the presentations and the exhibit is $5 for the general public and free for members of ARCH.

Maintained by the Association for Rollinsford Culture and History (ARCH) as an educational and cultural center, the Colonel Paul Wentworth House is located at 47 Water Street in Rollinsford, NH. For more information, call (603)742-4747 or (603) 749-1966.

July 31, 2016 in Community Group, Historical