On October 16th, Paula Lochhead, a member of the Board of Directors of the Nashua Historical Society, addressed the Rotary Club of Nashua regarding the Nashua Historical Society. The society was founded over 150 years ago and is one of the oldest in the state. The Nashua Historical Society is a volunteer run, independent, non-profit organization and receives no operating support from the State of New Hampshire or the City of Nashua. Founded in 1870, the Historical Society's motto is "Preserving the Past for the Future" and in support of its mission, the Historical Society collects, preserves and interprets materials pertaining to Nashua history.
The society maintains Florence H. Speare Memorial Museum and the Abbot-Spalding House Museum. Paula told us about several projects the society was presenting. One display was a gown from 1913 called a “hobble skirt”, which was inspired by Wilber Wright. He created this fashion for a benefactor’s wife who wanted to ride in his plane.
Also, one of the largest black walnut trees is located on museum property. The society also participated in NaNoWriMo. A National Novel Writing Month, which supports an empowering approach to creative writing. The challenge is to draft an entire novel in just one month. They made a special ink from the black walnuts on the tree for use during this event.
Another upcoming program entitled, “Whispers of the Departed” will talk about old gravestones and the people buried beneath them. The society is also interviewing WWII veterans and their families for a new exhibit. Franklin Delano Roosevelt also had a connection to Nashua. While in school he would visit our city. It was thought that the WPA did projects here because of his attraction to Nashua. Two of those projects are city hall and Hollman Stadium. There is also an Underhill Tool exhibition currently on display.