By Patrick J. McNally
The Sterling Historical Society held their annual meeting on June 8, complete with an open house and free cookout for residents, friends, and neighbors.
The volunteer organization, led by President Loret R.W. Schur was proud to show off their marvelous museum, house, and barn. Several Town treasures have been collected and displayed over the years, each item with a unique story.
Curator David Gibbs led a group of attendees on a personal tour and provided a great deal of information along the way. One exhibit featured William J. Walley and the incredible pottery that he created. “He was a free spirit, did everything on a wheel, and came up with some crazy designs and glazes,” Gibbs said. “He was a big deal.”
“Dr. Peck, a physician, owned this very house many years ago. He attended Harvard and was friends with Oliver Wendall Holmes and Alexander Graham Bell, amongst others,” Gibbs said. “Some of Dr. Peck’s other friends – Thoreau, Emerson, and The Alcott’s, would come to this house and meet in an upstairs room where they would discuss the topics of the day.”
Isaac Goodwin was one of Sterling’s first historians. His portrait in Sterling has partner pieces hanging in the National Gallery in Washington, DC.
A special exhibit is dedicated to home sewing. In 1863, Ebenezer Butterick introduced the first tissue paper patterns in graded sizes. These patterns propelled E. Butterick & Company to sales of over six million patterns by 1871, equivalent to one pattern sold for every 6.5 people.
“Mary had a Little Lamb” happened right here in Sterling. One of the most prized pieces on display is Mary Sawyer’s wedding dress, made of French silk.
“She married Columbus Tyler,” said Gibbs, “and together they ran MacLean Hospital in Belmont, MA, the most important psych hospital that ever came about. She was a Matron there.”
Gibbs added, “What’s cool about her is, she never talked about it in her life [the lamb “incident”] until she had an opportunity to save Old South Meetinghouse in Boston, by unraveling a pair of socks knitted from the fleece of the lamb and putting them on autograph cards – and she sold them. She’s an early preservationist.”
Attendees were also gathered outside, enjoying the delicious food, drinks, and dessert provided by the SHS. The historic red barn was perfect for seating, dining, and reminiscing about days gone by. Vintage signs hung on the walls, including one from Pine Crest Duck Farm.
SHS Member Terry Heinold worked the grill and signed up new members. All funds received will go toward protecting these historical items for future generations to enjoy and appreciate. Rates start at $15 per year for students (under 19) and seniors (62+). New members are always welcome.
The SHS museum is open every Tuesday from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m., and by appointment. You can also connect online via Facebook, or their website, www.sterlinghistorical.org.
RIGHT: David Gibbs, Curator at the Sterling Historical Society, proudly displays a vast pottery collection while providing fun facts about the artists who created them.
CREDIT: Patrick J. McNally