Jaffrey showcases its history with new public displays

Jeanne Duval opens a box stored in the archives of the Jaffrey Historical Society. Inside are the original wooden molds made by Charlie Bacon of Jaffrey in the shape of the now-iconic plastic maple syrup jugs used by more than 80% of syrup distributors.

It’s a bit of Jaffrey history that has occasionally been on display for special exhibits, but spends most of its life packed away, where only a few know it exists.

Duval and the Jaffrey Historical Society are seeking to change that, by putting on display some of the many artifacts collected by the society over the years, turning the downstairs of the Jaffrey Civic Center into a mini-history museum that residents will be able to explore in full on Saturdays this spring and summer.

“So many people don’t even know this is here,” Duval said during a tour of the collection.

“It’s safe to say this is one of the best-kept secrets in town,” said Historical Society member Bob Schaumann.

Duval joined the Historical Society board several months ago, and said she recalled from her own childhood being able to go down to the basement of the civic center and view a portion of the town’s collection through its main viewing room, which has floor-to-ceiling glass walls. She said she wants to bring that tradition back, and showcase some of the many items the town has been gifted over the years.

“It’s my heartthrob,” said Duval of arranging the collection and putting it together as a functional display. “I love this kind of thing. It’s been so rewarding to do this.”

There are so many artifacts, in fact, that they can’t be displayed in just one room, and a second display room has also been organized. Duval affectionately refers to the second room as “the general store” – on account of it being set up with the counter and original coffee and meat-grinders from Belletetes – from when it was a general store in the 1800s, and the metal tins from the Goodnow Brothers, another bygone general store in town.

Some items, Duval said, are mini-collections on their own. The Historical Society has collections of mounted buttons from military uniforms and bridles. One of its most-treasured selections is a group of bandboxes made by Jaffrey resident Hannah Davis, who invented, manufactured and sold these types of wooden bandboxes in the 1800s.

Others are one-off items that have an interesting story. One of the artifacts is a wooden carousel topped by an eagle, listing the names of residents who fought in World War II. Duval is able to pick out her father’s name on the roster. Another is the stained-glass window from the former Baptist Church, which once stood where the post office is now.

Some items invite investigation. A pair of signs, one for each direction, points the way to the “Contoocook Zoo and Picnic Ground.” Duval said she was immediately intrigued by them, not having heard of there ever being a zoo in town. She said asking around has revealed there once was a resident who had a zoo which residents could come see, but few remember it.

Duval said the work on the displays is ongoing; over the summer, she’ll continue the work of labeling the exhibits and including more information about some of the items. But she said the Historical Society still has many items that are packed away and waiting for their chance to be shown to the world, like Bacon’s syrup bottle molds.

Starting this Saturday, June 1, the displays will be fully open to the public for an up-close look at the artifacts, with a Historical Society docent volunteer available from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. During the civic center’s regular open hours, from Tuesday through Friday at noon to 5 p.m., residents are welcome to view the stairway and hallway displays, and the artifacts in the main room behind the glass.

Ashley Saari can be reached at 603-924-7172, Ext. 244, or asaari@ledgertranscript.com. She’s on X @AshleySaariMLT.