WHATELY — “Oh! That looks good,” said Adelia Bardwell, president of the Whately Historical Society, while adjusting a blue dress on a mannequin. “She’s got the figure!”
Bardwell, along with several other members of the society, are preparing for the annual Memorial Day event Sunday inside the former Center School. The event begins at 10 a.m. with a special service at the Whately Congregational Church.
After, a parade will step off at 11 a.m., beginning at the church.
“Everyone is welcome to march if they’d like,” Bardwell said. “The sports teams usually show up in their uniforms.”
Following the remembrance, the historical society will host live entertainment and lunch, funded by the Cultural Council, outside the Center School. This year, Ruth Leahey will play the keyboard and magician Ed Popielarczyk will perform with his act, Magical Moments.
Inside the museum, the Historical Society will open its 2016 exhibit, “Recalling the Bicentennial,” at noon.
“Our primary reason of being is to preserve the history of our town,” Bardwell said, “so that future (generations) have an idea of what it was like. ”
The exhibit looks back at the town’s 200th anniversary event, held in 1971, and also looks ahead to the town’s 250th anniversary, which will be in 2021.
“The historical society is making a statement,” said Bardwell. “The town needs to prepare if there’s going to be a celebration as good as the last one.”
Events like this, Bardwell said, are important because they bring the community together.
“In small town America, we have pride,” said Jane Grybko, co-curator of the society. “I’m a native, I was born here and have lived here all my life.”
For more information, visit the Whately Historical Society website at: www.whatelyhistorical.org
You can reach Andy Castillo at: acastillo@recorder.com
or 413-772-0261, ext. 263
On Twitter: @AndyCCastillo