NEW! Visits with Our Chatham Neighbors from Back in the Day audio book.
To listen via YouTube (improved experience), click HERE.
Click HERE for the audio Table of Contents
Visits With Our Chatham Neighbors From Back In The Day, in paperback, with sketches by local artists, can be purchased at the Chatham Historical Society, 1061 Main Road, Chatham, NH and at Spice & Grain in Fryeburg, ME.
Stories from ‘Back in the Day’
As time marches on and technology speeds up our world, stories and memories of times past can fade rapidly. Jeanne Eastman, president of the Chatham Historical Society, wanted to save some of the stories and memories of the unique town of Chatham and so has put together a collection entitled, Visits with our Chatham Neighbors from Back in the Day.
“I felt that there were just so many interesting stories of the town’s history and of its citizens’ daily lives that shouldn’t be lost,” Eastman says.
The 30-page booklet is dedicated to Barbara Eastman, who passed away in 2023 but left a legacy of community service through organizing and running the Chatham Library and, subsequently, the Chatham Historical Society. It was also inspired in part by Jeanne Eastman’s five-year-old grandson, who refers to the stories his grandparents tell him as they take him to Chatham’s old cellar holes and stonewalls and hiking to old mines as “back in the day.”
With contributions from 15 different residents, some still living, others from diaries or remembered by relatives, the booklet provides an entertaining look at times mostly long gone—definitely simpler, but also sometimes much harder. The accompanying artwork to enhance the stories is provided by local residents, both adults and children.
Visits with our Chatham Neighbors is available for $10 at the Chatham Historical Society, which is located at the Chatham former one-room school house in Center Chatham and is open from 9 a.m. to noon on Tuesdays. The booklet can also be ordered by calling (603) 694-3388 or by emailing chathamnhhistoricalsociety@gmail.com.
“I felt that there were just so many interesting stories of the town’s history and of its citizens’ daily lives that shouldn’t be lost,” Eastman says.
The 30-page booklet is dedicated to Barbara Eastman, who passed away in 2023 but left a legacy of community service through organizing and running the Chatham Library and, subsequently, the Chatham Historical Society. It was also inspired in part by Jeanne Eastman’s five-year-old grandson, who refers to the stories his grandparents tell him as they take him to Chatham’s old cellar holes and stonewalls and hiking to old mines as “back in the day.”
With contributions from 15 different residents, some still living, others from diaries or remembered by relatives, the booklet provides an entertaining look at times mostly long gone—definitely simpler, but also sometimes much harder. The accompanying artwork to enhance the stories is provided by local residents, both adults and children.
Visits with our Chatham Neighbors is available for $10 at the Chatham Historical Society, which is located at the Chatham former one-room school house in Center Chatham and is open from 9 a.m. to noon on Tuesdays. The booklet can also be ordered by calling (603) 694-3388 or by emailing chathamnhhistoricalsociety@gmail.com.
Visit the PROGRAMS page for programs you may have missed!
Historic Quilts
with Pam Weeks
Binney Family Curator of New England Quilt Museum
with Pam Weeks
Binney Family Curator of New England Quilt Museum
In case you missed it .... here are a few of the historic quilts from Pam Weeks' presentation:
Antique crazy quilt
Vintage signature quilt
Quilt made from insignia on Italian uniforms in WWII
Vintage nine-patch quilt
Pam Weeks, Curator, New England Quilt Museum
Historic quilts were examined, discussed, and explained by Pam Weeks, in a New Hampshire Humanities program sponsored by the Chatham Historical Society and the Chatham Congregational Church.
Weeks is the Binney Family Curator of the New England Quilt Museum, as well as a quilter, fabric artist, quilt historian, and state-juried member of the League of New Hampshire Craftsmen.
An expert historian, she often speaks on the history of fabrics and quilting through the ages.
Weeks is the Binney Family Curator of the New England Quilt Museum, as well as a quilter, fabric artist, quilt historian, and state-juried member of the League of New Hampshire Craftsmen.
An expert historian, she often speaks on the history of fabrics and quilting through the ages.
On her website, www.portablepatchwork.com, Weeks writes, “Quilts have been the focus for more than half of my life. I started making quilts as a result of the craft revival inspired by the Bicentennial in 1976. By the mid-1980s I was designing my own work. In 1991 I took a class on reproducing antique quilts and was hooked on quilt history. This led to research on “potholder” quilts, and even the Civil War. Quilts tell stories, from women's work during the Civil War to tales of western migration and industrial history. My first book was published in 2013 on Civil War quilts made for soldiers. My next book will be out soon.”
Thursday, May 16, 6 PM At Chatham Congregational Church, 1061 Main Road (113B), Chatham, NH
One-room Schools in Chatham, NH, and Stow, ME.
Records of Gravestone at Chatham Cemeteries
Charles Cemetery
Jacob Eastman and his son, Chester, 1868
Support the Chatham Historical Society; Become a Member!
Veterans' Memorial
Participate in our memorial project
About Us
Purpose
The purpose of the Society is to collect, preserve, and research any and all material pertaining to the Town of Chatham; and to share this history in an educational and interesting manner.
The purpose of the Society is to collect, preserve, and research any and all material pertaining to the Town of Chatham; and to share this history in an educational and interesting manner.
Contact us
1061 Main Road, Chatham, NH 03813
chathamnhhistoricalsociety@gmail.com
www.chathamhistoricalnh.org
The Old Schoolhouse
OFFICERS
President – Jeanne Eastman
Vice President – Sheryl Emery
Secretary – Maria Palmisano
Treasurer – Beverly Aimon
Directors:
Steve Eastman
Judy Bailey
Alan Eastman
Paul Loscocco
President – Jeanne Eastman
Vice President – Sheryl Emery
Secretary – Maria Palmisano
Treasurer – Beverly Aimon
Directors:
Steve Eastman
Judy Bailey
Alan Eastman
Paul Loscocco
Organization History
The Chatham Historical Society was established in 1989. In 2018 the Society purchased the Chatham Center one-room schoolhouse from the Town. This was the last operating 1st-8th grade, one-room schoolhouse in New Hampshire. Since the school's closing in 1968, the Chatham Community Library occupied the main floor and the Historical Society kept its archives in the basement. Now the Society will use the main floor for exhibits, events, and meetings.
The Chatham Historical Society was established in 1989. In 2018 the Society purchased the Chatham Center one-room schoolhouse from the Town. This was the last operating 1st-8th grade, one-room schoolhouse in New Hampshire. Since the school's closing in 1968, the Chatham Community Library occupied the main floor and the Historical Society kept its archives in the basement. Now the Society will use the main floor for exhibits, events, and meetings.
Open Hours: Tuesdays 9-Noon
We look forward to seeing you!
We look forward to seeing you!