Cornish Historical Society Catalog

The Society collection, on School Street, is a rich resource for our town and for anyone wishing to learn about Cornish history.

For questions about the database or for access to the collection, contact David Kruidenier at 919-673-0267 or email.

Cornish History on YouTube                                           

Because of the technical expertise supplied by Matt Wood, the Cornish Historical Society has converted its old VHS tapes to digital format and uploaded them to YouTube for viewing. In addition, Billy Sharff has filmed new interviews as part of our Film-Interview Project. All are available for viewing on YouTube. The Yatsevitch-Johnson film, the first one uploaded, has already been viewed close to two hundred times.

INTERVIEWS

Jim Atkinson Leland Atwood Scott and Lee Baker Jim and Regina Barker Merilynn Bourne Grace Bulkeley Peter Burling George and Jill Edson Myrtle Feary* James Brewster Fitch Jim Fitch-Martha Zoerheide Sandy Guest Colonel Haldimand Putnam* John and Linda Hammond Frank Hawkins Stuart and Mauri Hodgeman Rob and Mariet Jaarsma Connie Kousman

Dale Lawrence Helen Lovell Calvin Monroe Rose Nelson* Cheston Newbold Charles Platt Dan and Rickey Poor John and Polly Rand Ruth Rollins Judy and Dale Rook Jim and Jody Schubert Peter and Caroline Storrs Fred Sullivan and Duane Allen* Steve Taylor Nancy Wightman Daisy Yatsevitch Mike Yatsevitch (interviewed by Bernice Johnson)*

OCCASIONS

• Reopening of Cornish-Windsor Covered Bridge*
• Dedication Ceremony for the Fred and Shirley Sullivan Livestock Pavilion at the Fairgrounds

OTHER TALKS AND TOURS

• Cornish Creamery (by Henry Homeyer)
• Cornish Gardens (Saint-Gaudens, Northcote, and Platt House) (Bill Noble at the former Storrs home)
• American Revolution (by Jennifer Bartlau)
• The Civil War (Lew and Ginny Gage)
• Tour of the Society’s Exhibit at the Town Office (filmed by Matt Wood)
• Notable Cornish Women (led by Bernice Johnson)*
• Old Home Day 2005
• One-Room Cornish School Houses (led by Linda Fuerst)*
• Native Americans in Cornish (by Mark Humpal)*
• Woodrow Wilson’s Link to Cornish (by Laird Klingler)*
• Nathan Smith (by Constance Putnam)*
• CHS donation to Town of Cornish, Cornish-Windsor Covered Bridge Display
• Members of the Fitch Family Discuss the Fitch Family Farm (filmed by Corey Fitch)
• Two Cornish Fair films by Augie Dworak (Fair Horses and Cattle Call)

*Transferred from VHS tape

We are anxious to add to this collection. If anyone else in the community has tapes we can borrow or recommendations for people to be interviewed, please contact Steve Bobin at sbobin@plymouth.edu or 675-5513.

Exhibit at the Town Offices

CHS has also mounted, with the approval of the Select Board, an exhibit on the second floor of the Town Offices. This exhibit features more current history and showcases items relevant to persons presently living in the town, but there is a blend of old and new. See listing of items.

Of special note:

The Palmer Collection at Saint-Gaudens: Homes in Cornish and Plainfield. Photographs were taken by Tom Palmer, brother of William Palmer, for the 1985 Saint-Gaudens exhibition entitled “A Circle of Friends: Art Colonies of Cornish and Plainfield.”

Old Photographs of Cornish Homes and Buildings. Photographs from the CHS collection.

“With Elmer Wood Bartlett on Dingleton Hill.” Glass slides made by Bartlett and converted into digital images and photographs by Cheston and Nancy Newbold. 

Vertical File

CHS is proceeding with a project to digitize its Vertical File collection. Contents include newspaper articles, periodical articles, and pamphlets. They are a valuable source for Cornish history, particularly on a more modern level.

• Vertical File Part 1
• Vertical File Part 2

 

Cornish, New Hampshire, Historical Records

The Cemetery Caretaker Committee has converted to digital format Teenie Rock’s two volume Cornish, New Hampshire Historical Records.

• Volume 1
• Volume 2

Historical Records of Cornish Public Service Departments

• Fire
• Rescue
• Police
• Highway

Miscellaneous

• Cornish Fair  
• Cornish 250th Celebration
• 250th Book 
• Samples from the CHS Collection
• Corbin Park
• Jail, Cornish Flat, Old Selectmen’s Office
• Militia and Civil War Records, 1776–1891
• Memorial Day in Cornish Flat
• Early 12% Solution
• CHS Barn Exhibit for Cornish Fair by Steve Bobin
• Proprietors Book

                                           

Balloch Diaries

William Balloch, who lived in Cornish from 1820 to 1893, kept a diary of his everyday life. For a transcript visit our Balloch Diaries page.