It is also time to recognize those members who are going off the Board: Frank Mahony, Tuck Wadleigh and Fred Hills. Each of these men has devoted considerable time and personal effort to the running of the Society, and their contribution is not only greatly appreciated but also will not be forgotten.

     At the same time, I would like to welcome four new Board members: Jane Conrad, Michael Studley, Ernest Sofis and Michael Whitner. I know each of you will find your time interesting and well spent.

     In taking on the position of president, I quickly realized how dependent one is on the support and help from within the membership. We are fortunate indeed to have a group of dedicated workers who devote innumerable hours to the Society, and there is no question that we would not be able to operate without them. However, everyone's time is limited and with new projects coming up we need more help. If each member could contribute even a few hours of time, we'd be in good shape. The amount of time you are able to give us is up to you, and there are many diverse activities that can use your help and talent. So don't be bashful but instead contact either me, 781-749-4868, or any director.

     We also need new members. By expanding our membership, we not only increase our income from dues - helping our tight finances - but also expand our volunteer work force. May I encourage each of you to personally recruit your friends and neighbors to join. Remind them that one of our town's major assets is its historic character, which is for many a prime reason for choosing to live in Hingham. Preservation and promotion of Hingham's past is, of course, the mission of the Hing-ham Historical Society, and in this time of huge town expansion and change, the town needs us more than ever.

     Do you have the urge to write? If you would like to contribute an article to News and Notes, again please contact me. Learning about Hingham's past through interesting articles in our publication is another perk of joining the Society.

     I urge you all to take advantage of the many diverse activities the Society offers - from lectures and tours to care of the artifacts and fundraisers. And everything in between. Make new friends, be involved and learn new things about Hingham's fascinating past.

     This exhibit will feature New England furniture from the Society's superb collection of 17th, 18th and 19th-century furnishings.

     The highlight of the 2005 exhibit will be a display of seating furniture. This display, which will be located in the Old Ordinary's Exhibit Room, will examine the tools and joinery techniques used in making traditional chairs. The seating furniture that will be featured will include chairs in the Queen Anne and Chippendale styles. The complete exhibit, throughout the house museum, will also examine the influence of period styles on chair design and construction of many types of furniture.

     Opening day for the exhibit will coincide with the 81st Annual Tour of Historic Hingham Homes and Buildings in June and will be on view through the summer.

 Since Last Fall    

     Since last September, the House Committee accomplished many goals, including those involving new people: we gained three members; invigorated the gift shop; hired a new docent; designed an exhibit; and added a wood chopping demonstration to the fifth grade tours. Susan Achille, a former associate, came back full-time and was the marketing whiz behind the new gift shop. Susan Boyd took over the job as summer hostess chair. Wilma Lorenson proved her flair for hospitality at Old Derby, organizing refreshments on the day of the House Tour. Julianne Mehegan came on board as the new docent, or heritage educator, working with summer interns and creating new programs for families. Chris Nassise, Scott Leaver, Charlie Woodard and Fred Hills worked as a team demonstrating tools and the importance of wood for heating and cooking during colonial times for 13 fifth grade classes. Chris also lent his expertise to the tool exhibit with Virginia McLaughlin and Lisa Hemphill. Each new person brought fresh ideas and hands-on enthusiasm to their jobs.

     The OO House Committee also participated in the "Taste of Hingham" event in May. We gave complimentary tours to the public on the South Shore Backwoods tour day and in July when Summerfest was held in the Square. Old Derby and the Old Ordinary appear on the new town walking map published by the Friends of the Downtown. Summer museum admissions increased over previous years. And we hosted a very successful 80th Annual House Tour with six wonderful homes, a new exhibit and tasty refreshments with appetizers by Bridgeman's Restaurant.

     At the September meeting we also looked forward to planning our fall events.

This Fall

     On September 30 the House Committee will host a lecture at Old Derby featuring Jane C. Nylander, President Emerita of the Society for the Preservation of New England Antiquities. Harriet Baker makes arrangements for the lecture speakers and Ruth Diezemann and Wilma Lorenson will manage refreshments before the event. (Admission is $15 at the door; the program begins at 10 a.m.)

     Cynthia Wilkins will head up the bi-annual tour of the Old Ordinary for students from Fitch-burg Community College on the morning of October 23. Susan Zuger will host this year's traditional "Thank You Gathering" for all of our Old Ordinary volunteers on Tuesday, October 30, at her home.

     On Tuesday, November 2, Andrea Wilson will host the monthly meeting at her home. After the meeting, we will all troop over to the Old Ordinary for the "Annual Closing," when we put the OO to bed for the winter as directed by Nancy Tiffin.

     Also for November, Lisa Hemphill is planning a day trip to a local museum for the committee.

    In December, Susan Achille plans to open the gift shop on weekends for holiday shoppers - great for those out-of-town gifts!

Spring 2005

     Starting in January our meetings will focus on spring events, such as the House Tour, the new furniture exhibit, school tours and opening up the museum in mid-June - along with any new event that may come along. Keep reading this column as we develop these programs for spring.

Join Us    

     Much like it's a myth that "white lights" are required for the windows of Main Street homes at holiday time, it's also untrue you have to be a history major or live in an old house to become a member of the House Committee. Many different skills unrelated to history are needed to keep a house museum thriving and antique home ownership has never been a requirement. The committee welcomes men and women who want to volunteer in a culture-rich environment making a difference in their town. We are always looking for new people and we'll make an effort to find jobs which best fit you. It's a great way to meet people if you are new in town, newly retired or newly free because the kids are in school. There's a spot for you, even if you are a history major.

Each section put up its own candidate for the Presidency. Adams, the candidate of the North, and identified with the emerging Whig Party, fell behind Gen. Andrew Jackson, the Democrat, in both popular and electoral votes, but received more than William H. Crawford and Henry Clay. Since no candidate had a majority of electoral votes, the election was decided among the top three by the House of Representatives. Clay, who favored a program similar to that of Adams, threw his crucial support in the House to the New Englander.

The Democrats, alleging that a "corrupt bargain" had taken place, immediately began their campaign to wrest the Presidency from Adams in 1828.

Locally, Joseph Richardson, (left) minister of the Old Ship Church, a Democrat and a Jackson supporter, was elected to Congress in 1826, indicating that local voters were as split as those nationally. Whigs and Democrats tended to frequent separate taverns, read separate newspapers, and even to ride separate ferry lines to Boston in those days! Earlier, Richardson's selection as minister of the Old Ship caused a schism - largely along political lines - and many long-time parishioners, including General Benjamin Lincoln and his family, left to found the New North Church.

When Jackson and his populist supporters ousted Adams at the next election, rendering him, as his father before him, a one-term President, the Whigs, in turn, were filled with despair. John Quincy Adams had his revenge, however, returning to Massachusetts where he ran for Congress from the district including Hingham – replacing Rev. Richardson. Adams, a strong voice against slavery, served as our Congressman until 1848, when he suffered a stroke on the floor of the House of Representatives and died.

     Each student's name is also inscribed on perpetual plaques in their respective schools.

     Two scholarships - named in honor of Hingham artists - in the amount of $200 each were given to two Hingham students: The William A. Dwiggins Scholarship for Graphic Arts was awarded to Kelly McGreevy; The Isaac Sprague Scholarship for Portfolio Art was awarded to Patrick Campbell.

     The Society wishes to thank Susan Zuger and Lynn Rizzotto for their service as The Isaac Sprague Scholarship jurors and to Joyce Schreier for coordinating the Society's awards program.