NOTES OF INTEREST

 

 In Vermont the Westminster Historical Society has received a grant from the Cosby Foundation.  The Society plans to restore the Willard and Bradley portraits  which are in the Westminster Museum.  Some of us visited that museum after the Brattleboro reunion and were able to see these portraits.  The restoration is really needed.

 

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News from the Willard Memorial Chapel in Auburn, New York.  In 1989 the Community Preservation Committee purchased the Willard Chapel for $500,000 from an art dealer who planned to dismantle it.  Money was available to buy the Tiffany chapel, but a mortgage was taken out at the time of purchase for needed repairs.  

 

This year the mortgage was retired and a community-wide picnic held.  Copies of the mortgage were distributed to all who were present.  A large bonfire was built and people either threw their copies into the flames or kept them as mementos.

 

If you haven’t seen this lovely chapel since we were there for our 1993 reunion, you will see great changes in the building and the grounds.

 

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Dr. Lucy Townsend of Northern Illinois University and Barbara Wiley of the Emma Willard School are working on a project to collect the letters and papers of Emma Hart Willard – founder of the Troy Female Seminary (now Emma Willard School).  They would appreciate assistance from any WFA members who might have Emma Willard documents or perhaps know where some are housed.   Please contact Barbara Wiley, The Emma Willard Papers, Emma Willard School, 285 Pawling Ave., Troy, NY  12180.  E-mail address:  bwiley@emma.troy.ny.us