The Jaffrey Center Village Improvement Society, in celebration of its 110th anniversary and in the tradition of its Hannah Davis bandboxes, has created a unique set of beautiful keepsake boxes featuring two scenes of Mount Monadnock wth the 1775 Jaffrey Center Meetinghouse, and with the 1833 Melville Academy Museum.
The Society is offering a limited edition of custom, handmade round (8-inch-diameter) white grosgrain fabric boxes, 3 inches tall, in cranberry red or blue, to hold keepsakes such as treasured photographs or mementos.
The keepsake boxes make excellent presents for birthdays, bridal showers, weddings, employee rewards and special occasions. These unique boxes are valued at $45 each by Sarah’s Hatboxes of Hancock, which made them for the JCVIS.
The JCVIS price is just $35 for 1 box, $65 for 2 boxes, and a set of 4 boxes for $120. Orders can be placed by specifying the desired scenes and colors, and writing a check to JCVIS and sending it to P.O. Box 722, Jaffrey. The initial order has only 36 boxes (nine 4-box sets) remaining; new orders may be considered. Questions may be directed to the VIS at 593-9421, or president@jcvis.org on email.
The boxes are printed with engravings by artist R. P. Hale of Concord, NH, of an 1897 photo of Mt. Monadnock and the 1775 Jaffrey Center Meetinghouse with a two-horse stagecoach and travelers, and a Howard Hill painting of Monadnock and the Melville Academy Museum, which the JCVIS operates on summer weekends to display Hannah Davis hatboxes and local historical artifacts of 19th century life in school, farms and homes. The VIS has twice spearheaded and raised funds to renovate the Town’s 1775 Meetinghouse (in 1921-22 and in 1991-92) and has renovated and maintained Melville Academy Museum since 1920.
The VIS also maintains the horsesheds and 22.5 acres of parks and open space. The JCVIS has conservation easements on another 20 acres.