Waterbury Historical Society throws an Open House & travels back in local music history

Dec. 1, 2022  |  By Lisa Scagliotti 

Postponing a special program in November means the Waterbury Historical Society has two events coming up in the next week: a holiday Open House on Sunday, Dec. 4, and a special presentation on Waterbury musicians popular in the mid-1900s next Saturday, Dec. 10. 

Sunday’s Open House is scheduled for 1-3 p.m. at the Historical Society Museum at the Waterbury Municipal Center which will be decorated for the season. Word has it that there will be classic holiday poems from the WDEV vault both playing and in print.  

An image from an original Wilson "Snowflake" Bentley slide. Courtesy photo

Among the society’s many fascinating artifacts is a collection of original Wilson Snowflake Bentley snowflake slides. They will be shared in a presentation in the Steele Community Room along with snowflake-themed refreshments and crafts. 

In a separate presentation, WHS volunteer Joe Camaratta will discuss an exhibit featuring Derby & Ball baseball bats which were manufactured in Waterbury and Barre in the 1920s and 1930s. 

On Dec. 10 at 2 p.m., the Historical Society will hold a short annual business meeting followed by a multi-media presentation titled “Waterbury Musicians,” rescheduled from early November. 

Musicians Smokey and Lois Carey. Courtesy photo

Musician, producer, writer and scholar Mark Greenberg visits to present a program highlighting Waterbury's rich musical history nurtured by radio station WDEV. From the homemade music of the Hurstins (Eleanor Martin & Dorotha Parkhurst) to the broad-ranging repertoires of professional musicians Buddy Truax and Don Fields, and talents such as members of the Pony Boys, Lois and Smokey Carey – Waterbury was home to a vibrant music scene for decades. 

Guitarist Buddy Truax, courtesy photo

Greenberg, who has taught at Goddard College and the University of Vermont, has rare recordings of Fields and Truax and a video documentary featuring the Hurstins and Careys. Greenberg will revisit those days in his presentation planned for the Steele Community Room at the Waterbury Municipal Center.  

All are welcome for the group’s meeting which is expected to be brief. It will include discussion of the organization’s budget and a slate of officers to be elected for the coming year. Only members may vote on any decisions or elections, however. 

All Waterbury Historical Society programs are free, family-friendly, and open to the public. Donations are greatly appreciated to support ongoing programming and collections management.

More information is online at waterburyhistoricalsociety.org/events.