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Glocester
Heritage Gardens
Dr. Reuben Mason House
Medicinal Gardens
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Job Armstrong Store
Shopkeeper's Garden
CLICK HERE
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CHECK THE CALENDAR!
See our Calendar page for the latest
events and meetings.
CLICK HERE
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Glocester Heritage Society News and Events
Since opening the doors of the Job Armstrong Store on Saturdays during April through July, it has been a
busy Summer. Heritage Society volunteers greeted local residents and tourists at our headquarters with many commenting on our map collection. Also, we were honored to have Stewart Rivers and his family
stop by several times. During the 1950's, Stewart's grandmother lived on the second floor of the Job Armstrong Store and she was the last resident to reside there. He entertained us with many childhood
memories of visiting his grandmother.
Some of our visitors are Veterans and are always impressed with the accomplishments of the Historic
Cemetery Committee led by Bill Brown and HCC volunteers. Especially, the installation on all veteran grave
sites a bronze marker designating the conflict in which that veteran served and an American flag. A photo album that is on display documents the work being done by this Committee.
More important than selling GHS items and receiving donations, we were able to have conversations with
our visitors about the history of Glocester. These interactions made for interesting days for the volunteers.
 In May, with the help of the Glocester-Manton
Library, a 2023 ELEPHANT NAMING contest was held. The 5-foot tall stuffed elephant who is Betty the Learned Elephant's friend was named "Peanuts" by Avery Boylan.
The URI Master Gardeners have been busy, too. At the Reuben Mason House Medicinal Herb Garden, a
Family Garden Fair was held on June 10 offering a variety of activities. Educational programs in July and August included Attracting Pollinators and Herbs Wonderful Herbs. The Master Gardeners will
be having a Perennial Plant Sale on September 2 from 10 to noon at the Job Armstrong Store. The funds will be for next year's supplies. The Kitchen Garden in the rear of the Store is full of
produce that is donated weekly to the Glocester Senior Center.
On July 29, one of the hottest days this summer, GHS held a very successful Yard Sale at the Reuben
Mason House with items donated by friends and estate sales. In place of price tags, we asked buyers to make a donation for their purchases. The end result was over $1000.00 in donations plus
vendor fees to benefit the Heritage Society with operating expenses. The day was a success due to our volunteers and their hard work on that hot
day. Thank you to Bill, Kathy, Cleo, Deb, Greg, Chris, Edna, Marie, Alyce, Karen, Charlie, Trish and Bill, our young friends Mason, Dominick, Matthew and our Vendors.
The next Yard Sale is being scheduled for October 21 from 9-2 at the Reuben Mason House.
The Reuben Mason House will be open on September 10, 17 and 24 from 12-3 with tours at 12:30 conducted by Edna Kent Town Historian.
There is still plenty of time if you haven't sent in your raffle ticket returns yet.
The winners will be drawn at the monthly meeting on September 18 at the Evans Schoolhouse.
The Cooperative Artists and Crafters will be back in the Job Armstrong Store from August 19 thru December on weekends, holidays and
special occasions during the hours of 10-5. They are a great addition to the many small local businesses in the area. If you are in town shopping
be sure to stop in to support these talented local artisans.
Enjoy the rest of the summer,
From Marie Sweet, President, Bill Brown, Vice President
Charlie Wilson, Treasurer, Karen Lambe, Recording Secretary
Roland Rivet, Corresponding Secretary
THANK YOU!
The Glocester Heritage Society extends a thank you to the
Champlin Foundation for
awarding us a grant to upgrade our headquarters located at 1181 Putnam Pike in Chepachet
and create a walkway to the URI Master Gardeners 1800's era Kitchen Garden.
Special thanks to Contractor Vin Lepore for offering his time, labor and equipment to dig out
the walkway and lay the stone donated by Greg Murray owner of Chepachet Hardware
on Putnam Pike. Jason Theroux of Sensible Artistry will design and install a decorative arbor
and picket fencing that will complete the grant project.
We invite members of the community to visit us at the Job Armstrong Store on Saturday afternoons from 12 to 3 to view the completed project and
visit us at the store.
Thank you to Bill Brown and Charlie Wilson for spearheading the project
and coordinating the work on the site.
West of the Seven Mile Line
A History of Glocester (Episode 1)
NOW AVAILABLE ON DVD
Three years in the making, this documentary covers over 300 years of history and tells the story of the native people and early settlers. It describes
the area when it was just a wild land called the Outlands or the land "West of the Seven Mile Line" and how it evolved into a thriving center of
commerce when the Great Country Road was built (Rt. 44). It shows how the people were affected during the Revolutionary War and how the eyes
of the world were on Chepachet during the Dorr Rebellion. It also takes an in-depth tour through the villages of Glocester. Written and produced by Betty and Carlo Mencucci, Log Cabin Studios.
Purchase your copy at GHS today!
Email for purchase information
info@glocesterheritagesociety.org
Organized in 1967 -- The purpose of the Society shall be to identify, acquire, hold, arrange, restore, maintain, and preserve for posterity buildings,
tracts of land and objects of historical, educational, architectural, cultural and other similar interests of outstanding value within the Town of Glocester, RI.
History is identity. It is our historic heritage that defines Glocester as a unique place. The Glocester Heritage Society seeks to bring history alive!
The Society is headquartered at the Job Armstrong Store at 1181 Main Street in historic Chepachet, Rhode Island. Built about 1813, this building was
the largest of the thirteen dry goods and grocery stores operating during the early 1800's in Chepachet, with 4 to 5 clerks working full-time. The
building was purchased by the Glocester Heritage Society in 1971 and was gradually restored. It now includes a Visitor Center and welcomes the public to all meetings. Historic and genealogical researchers by appointment only. Call 568-8967.
Please browse our web site to learn more about the Society and its activities, projects, and special events.
THE JOB ARMSTRONG STORE IS OPEN BY APPOINTMENT ONLY.
Please contact GHS President Marie Sweet at 401-568-7347 or GHS Archivist Edna Kent at 401-568-8967 to make arrangements.
Exhibits and Phetteplace Scrapbooks: 1st floor
Reading Room & Archives: 2nd floor
We sell books, cards, note paper, 1790 maps, cups, shirts, bags, elephant and Dorr Rebellion items.
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