PLYMOUTH ANTIQUARIAN SOCIETY (PAS)

Calendar of Events: Highlights 2011

To download a printable version of the 2011 Calendar of Events click here.

New This Year!
Black History Walking Tour of Downtown Plymouth
Saturday, February 12th — 1 pm
Join local historians Donna Curtin and Karin Goldstein for a slavery-to-freedom walking tour on the early history of African-Americans in Plymouth. Learn about black members of the Winslow household, including colonial America’s first published African-American author, Briton Hammon, once a family slave. Investigate what may be one of New England’s only surviving wooden slave dwellings, located on North Street, and follow in the footsteps of Plymouth’s fugitive slave residents, who journeyed north to freedom.
The tour is co-sponsored by Plimoth Plantation and the Plymouth Antiquarian Society and is free and open to the public. No reservations required. Meet at Shirley Square at the head of North Street. For more information email pasm@verizon.net or call 508-746-0012.

New This Year!
Women’s History Walking Tour of Downtown Plymouth
Saturday, March 26th — 11 am
Don comfy walking shoes and explore four centuries of American women’s history on the streets and byways of downtown Plymouth. Visit the ancient graves of colonial women on Burial Hill, the quaint gambrel where Mercy Otis Warren lived during the Revolution, the childhood home of Lydian Jackson Emerson, and the site where suffragist Abby Morton Diaz once taught dancing to support her children. Uncover the stories of generations of Plymouth women, from early settlement to the modern era. Tour lasts about one hour and includes some strenuous walking.
Tour is free and open to the public. No reservations required. Meet at the Immigrant Monument at Brewster Gardens. For more information email pasm@verizon.net or call 508-746-0012.

Trails, Sails & Rails: A History of Transportation on the South Shore
Backroads of the South Shore History Symposium
Saturday, April 9th — 10 am - 2:30 pm
Allerton Hall, Church of the Pilgrimage, 8 Town Square, Plymouth
Local historians present a series of mini-lectures on traveling the South Shore over the generations. From the simplicity of ancient woodland trails to the excitement of 19th century railroads, learn how people on the South Shore got around in olden days. Sponsored by the Backroads of the South Shore, a local consortium of small historical societies and museums that includes the Plymouth Antiquarian Society.
$15 admission includes breakfast refreshments. Reservations recommended. For more information and a reservation form click here or email pasm@verizon.net.

Postcards of Plymouth & Pot Luck Supper
Thursday, April 14th — 5:30 pm
Kendall Hall, First Parish Church, Town Square, Plymouth
Enjoy a taste of history at our tasty pot luck supper. Donna Curtin, author of the new book Postcards of Plymouth, presents an illustrated lecture for postcard enthusiasts and local history buffs. Learn to examine vintage postcard images as sources of local history and get tips on developing your own postcard collection. Social hour begins at 5:30 pm, dinner at 6 pm and lecture at 7 pm.
Admission: $7; $5 for PAS members. Reservations required. Email pasm@verizon.net or call 508-746-0012 to reserve a place.

SOLD OUT!
Jane Austen Tea at the Hedge House Museum
Saturday, May 7th — 2 to 4 pm, Mother’s Day weekend
Enjoy a scrumptious English tea and immerse yourself in Jane Austen’s world during a special tour of the 1809 Hedge House. Experience the customs and social milieu of Regency England as described in Austen's novels; elegantly costumed guides provide insights on how the experiences of provincial Americans differed.

Dye Pot Day at the Harlow Old Fort House, 119 Sandwich Street
Saturday, May 21st — 10 am to 2 pm
Join the spinners and crafters of the Harlow House Fiber Guild for a day of learning about natural dyes. Several dye pots will be simmering with natural materials such as henna, safflower, madder root, and the indigo plant, which transforms from a green-yellow color in the pot to a brilliant blue when exposed to air. Special activities for children include dyeing a skein with Jello or creating a felted ornament to take home. The event will be held rain or shine. Free and open to the public. Children must be accompanied by an adult. For more information email pasm@verizon.net or call 508-746-0012.

Antiquarian Golf Benefit
Monday, May 23rd
Southers Marsh Golf Club, Federal Furnace Road, Plymouth
Help preserve local history while you enjoy an afternoon on an award-winning scenic New England course. Fee of $125 per player includes all golf fees, dinner, and a contribution to the Antiquarian Society. Registration begins at 11:30 am, shotgun start at 1 pm, reception & dinner begin at 5:30 pm. Download a printable registration form, email pasm@verizon.net or call 508-746-0012 for registration.

Cemetery Tour: Portrait Stones of Burial Hill
Saturday, May 28th — 1 pm
Burial Hill boasts a superlative collection of rare 18th and early 19th century portrait stones. These unusual grave markers feature carved images of graciously attired people not unlike painted portraiture, right down to tiny details of dress, hairstyle, and posture. Learn about this special genre of gravestone art on a one-hour walking tour with Dr. Donna Curtin.
Free and open to the public. No reservations required. Meet at the Burial Hill Entrance by First Parish Church. For more information email pasm@verizon.net or call 508-746-0012.

Cemetery Tour a Great Success! We had a wonderful turnout for our Portrait Stones of Burial Hill tour in May. Click here for images of some portrait stones featured on the tour. Click here for a video report of the tour by Wicked Local Plymouth.

Historic House Tours at the Hedge House Museum, 126 Water Street
June through August
Visit the authentically restored 1809 Hedge House on the Plymouth waterfront. This gracious Federal mansion with unusual octagonal rooms was lived in by local merchants and entrepreneurs in the early years of the new nation. Open Wednesday-Sunday, 2 to 6 pm, June through August.
Admission: $5 adults; $2 children; free for PAS members and Plymouth residents.

Thursdays at the Harlow Old Fort House, 119 Sandwich Street
June through August
Visit this rare surviving 17th century homestead, original residence of William Harlow, local cooper, farmer, constable and sergeant of the Plymouth militia, any Thursday afternoon throughout the summer. Children may enjoy hands-on crafts activities in our on-site Education Center. Gift shop open. Hours: Thursdays, 1 to 4 pm, June through August.
Admission: $5 adults; $2 children; free for PAS members and Plymouth residents

New This Year!
Thursday Baking Demonstrations at the Harlow House
June 23rd, June 30th, July 7th, July 21st, August 11th, August 18th
This year the Harlow Old Fort House will debut demonstrations by master baker Kirsten Atchison. Kirsten grew up in Germany where dinner is called “Abendbrot” (evening bread) and afternoon coffee and cake is a national institution. Now a resident of Plymouth, Kirsten enjoys recreating her favorite German breads—earthy dark rye breads and sourdough whole grain loaves—as well as baking Italian and French breads and flatbreads from all over the world. Click here for a detailed schedule. Admission is included with your tour of the Harlow Old Fort House.

No More Pencils, No More Books Concert on the Hedge House Lawn
Saturday, June 4th — 2 pm
Join us for a graduation day concert held on the lawn of the Hedge House, adjacent to Memorial Hall where the graduation ceremonies are held for the Plymouth South and Plymouth North high schools. A fun afternoon of local music will be provided by Ben Carter, Shaun Dever, Nick Amendolare, Nate Christofori, Doug Logan, Seth McFayden and Ryan Axford. The concert, presented by Brewster Productions, the Plymouth South High School Student Executive Board and the Plymouth Antiquarian Society, is free and open to the pubic. For the full schedule of summer concerts on the Hedge House lawn, visit http://brewsterproductions.com/concertseries/schedule.

Antiquarian Hearth & Home Tours
Saturday, June 11th — 10 am to 4 pm
Explore a fascinating range of private homes in Plymouth, open to the public for this special one-day tour. Your event program provides a history and description of each house, with map and directions. Includes luncheon.
Fee: $35; $30 members & advance discount. To download a printable reservation form click here, email pasm@verizon.net or call 508-746-0012 to reserve a place.

Pilgrim Breakfast
Harlow Old Fort House, 119 Sandwich Street
Sunday, July 10th — 8:30 to 11:30 am
Costumed servers dish out piping hot fishcakes, baked beans, cornbread and other tasty fare, while strolling singers share songs, riddles, and 17th century cheer. This hearty New England breakfast is a local tradition not to be missed! Proceeds benefit the preservation of the 1677 Harlow House.
Fee: $10 per person; $9 members. Family discount available. Click here to download a reservation form. For more details, email pasm@verizon.net or call 508-746-0012.

Acoustic Evenings on the Hedge House Lawn
Beginning Friday, July 15th
The School’s Out Summer Concert Series showcasing local musicians offers evening entertainment on the Plymouth waterfront. The Hedge House lawn provides an intimate coffeehouse setting for acoustic performances, presented by Brewster Productions. Shows are free and open to the pubic. For the full schedule, visit http://brewsterproductions.com/concertseries/schedule.

Cemetery Tour: Burial Hill’s Revolutionary Dastards & Heroes
Wednesday, July 20th — 1 pm
Encounter Plymouth's Revolutionary past from the memorial tomb of General Scammell to the family plot where James and Mercy Otis Warren are interred to the graves of residents suspected of favoring the Crown. Guided walking tour with Dr. Donna Curtin lasts one hour.
Free and open to the public. No reservations required. Meet at the Burial Hill Entrance by First Parish Church. For more information email pasm@verizon.net or call 508-746-0012.

New This Year!
Immigrant Tales & Tastes
Friday, August 26th — 5:30 - 8:30 pm
Enjoy real-life tales of the immigrant experience in Plymouth and a tantalizing selection of ethnic noshes under the big striped tent on the Hedge House lawn. Learn about growing up non-Irish in a town without a St. Patrick’s Day parade, Italians who did and didn’t live in North Plymouth, and more surprising tales of local ethnicity.
Fee: $35 per person. Cash bar. Reservations required. Click here to download a reservation form. Email pasm@verizon.net or call 508-746-0012 for more details.

Antiquarian Summer Fair
Hedge House, 126 Water Street
Saturday, August 27th — 10 am to 3 pm
Attic treasures, jewelry, homemade goodies, and bargains galore are some of the delights of this old-fashioned New England fair, held under a big tent on our sweeping lawn overlooking Plymouth harbor.
Browsers welcome, free of charge! Fee for luncheon.

Teddy Bear Picnic
Harlow Old Fort House, 119 Sandwich Street
Saturday, September 10th — 10 am to noon
A lively morning of storytelling, hands-on kids’ activities, and a puppet play. Don’t forget to bring your teddy bear! Recommended for ages 4 and up.
Admission fee: $6 per person. Children must be accompanied by an adult. For more information email pasm@verizon.net or call 508-746-0012.

New This Year!
Old Plymouth Cookery: Culinary Tour of Spooner House
***POSTPONED *** Please check back for rescheduled date ***
The Spooner women were avid recipe collectors and their handwritten cookbooks epitomize traditional Plymouth cooking. Learn about the 19th century foodways of a Plymouth family and their changing kitchen technology and enjoy mouth-watering samplings.
POSTPONED to spring 2012 due to Hurricane Irene issues. Please check our website early next year for rescheduled date. Email pasm@verizon.net or call 508-746-0012 for more details.

New This Year! Save the Date.
Spooner House Ghost Tour
Sunday, October 30th —6 pm
Be your own detective during this exclusive paranormal investigation of the historic Spooner House on North Street. Guides steeped in Spooner family lore will help you seek out strange anomalies and invisible energies in the nooks and crannies of the centuries-old house. Bring your own wireless hand-held equipment and be a DIY ghost hunter! Encounter card readers and psychics who may offer a peek into your future.
Fee: $30 per person. **Tickets available for 6 pm tour ONLY** Prepaid reservations are required. Click here to download a reservation form. For more information email pasm@verizon.net or call 508-746-0012.

New This Year!
Burial Hill Tours: History in Progress
Saturday, November 5th — 1 pm: A Burial Hill Primer
The Plymouth Antiquarian Society invites you to explore one of Plymouth’s greatest historic treasures -– Burial Hill -– during a series of free themed discovery tours. Encounter art, history, and culture in an open-air museum with local historians who share their expertise on a fascinating range of topics. Our first tour will be led by Peg Baker, Researcher, General Society of Mayflower Descendants and Director Emerita of the Pilgrim Society and Pilgrim Hall.
Meet at the main stairway to Burial Hill. Free and open to the public. No reservations required for individuals and families. Click here to download a schedule for 2011/2012. For more information email pasm@verizon.net or call 508-746-0012.

Save the Date!
Plymouth Antiquarian Society's 92nd Annual Meeting & Luncheon
Talk by Author Cornelia Maude Spelman
Saturday, November 12th —Meeting starts 11:30 am, luncheon served at noon
Plymouth Country Club
Please join us for our 92nd Annual Meeting and Luncheon. Our special guest is author Cornelia Maude Spelman who will speak about her new memoir, Missing, a daughter's search for her mother's missing past. Enjoy the talk and panoramic views of Plymouth harbor while you savor a delicious buffet luncheon. Cash bar available. Non-members welcome!
Admission: $30 per person. Prepaid reservations are required.
Please RSVP by Monday, November 7. Email pasm@verizon.net or call 508-746-0012 to reserve a place.