WHATELY — The Historical Society’s annual spring festival this weekend features “Bygone Whately,” a museum exhibit highlighting buildings that have since been destroyed and historically significant residents.
The annual spring festival, including food and other activities in addition to the museum exhibit, will be held at the Whately Center School, Sunday, May 28 from noon to 3 p.m. It is part of the town’s broader Memorial Day festivities, which start with a 10 a.m. church service at the Whately Congregational Church.
“We have all of these old pictures — they were taken by the Howes brothers — they went up and down the Valley,” said Society Chairwoman Adelia Bardwell Thursday morning at the Center School, while a few members put the finishing touches on museum displays.
Displays in the museum include musical instruments, quilts, antiques, clay pottery, a display on tobacco farming, and other “treasures of the past, things that are no-longer,” Bardwell said.
Elsewhere, there will be free ice cream served from the Milk Bottle, music, and items from the historical society available to purchase.
Outside, baked goods, hot dogs, hamburgers, and beverages will also be available. The MilkBottle Band will perform, as will Storyteller Davis Bates.
The town’s annual Memorial Day parade will step off at 11 a.m. from the church, marching to the Center Cemetery, where a special ceremony will take place, and back to the Town Common. Following, the Historical Society’s spring festival will take place.