Exhibit marks 40th anniversary

Since taking over the leadership role at the Plainville Historical Society, Nancy Eberhardt is seeking to put her own thumbprint on the organization, which is in the midst of its 40th anniversary celebration.

Eberhardt, who succeeded Ruth S. Hummel in May as president of the historical society, said she wants to bring new ideas to the group while commemorating the many wonderful things Hummel and the other organization founders have accomplished to highlight and preserve Plainville's rich heritage.

Eberhardt said she is still getting her feet wet testing the waters, despite being a member for 30 years and last serving as the group's longtime vice president. A retired history teacher, Eberhardt said she wants to tap the interests and expertise of the historical society's 100-plus members. She said she realizes that Hummel - who was until May the only president the historical group has known - is a tough act to follow.

An exhibit marking the historical society's 40th anniversary is under way during the summer at the Plainville Historic Center, 29 Pierce St. The display, which celebrates the 1968 founding of the organization and the eventual use of the former Town Hall as a museum, was compiled by Rose Stanley, Dee Martin, Eunice Cardin and Eberhardt. Other rooms and exhibits in the former Town Hall and materials were readied by Hummel, Dorothy Baxter, Gertrude LaCombe, Janice Eisenhauer and Rita Dewyea. The anniversary exhibit is open for tours Wednesdays and Saturdays, from noon to 2:30 p.m., until the end of August.
Eberhardt said she wants to tap the interests of the members and expand the role of the historical society to other media. For example, new brochures are being developed. A new society Web site will be unveiled shortly. Hummel's history-related television shows that were run on Nutmeg TV will be used for educating and informing visitors and new TV programs are in the works.

She also plans to use Jessie, a character Eberhardt developed, which she called a compilation of all the youngsters who have visited the historic center, especially the school district's third-graders who tour the museum as part of the local schools' program each spring. Eberhardt said she has written down pertinent and poignant observations and questions asked by the third-graders.

For example, Jessie, whom Eberhardt said is about 6 years old, learned about the black governors who were elected by the African-American community. She said Jessie's older sister found her brother's pronouncements to be unbelievable. Eberhardt said Jessie will interview local African-American expert and historian Gail Williams about the lives of the black governors during the 18th and 19th centuries.

Eberhardt said the interview will be featured on one of the expanded media and she and others are still working on the details that will make the facts more kid-friendly.
Eberhardt said she remains in awe that the society has the use of the old Town Hall as its museum and artifact repository. "A lot of work went into transforming it from an municipal office building into a historic center," she said, adding she and other history fans are grateful to the assistance of town officials. After the new Municipal Center opened in 1973 at 1 Central Square, Hummel and other society founders proposed turning the old 1890s-era building into a museum devoted to Plainville history. In May 1976, it reopened as the historic center.

Eberhardt said if it hadn't become home of the historical society, it probably would have been torn down.

Hummel, who is town historian, remains active in the organization, but admitted she had to slow down and after 40 years, it was time for a change. "I can't believe how quickly 40 years have come and gone," Hummel said.

Eberhardt invited Plainville residents to become members to help support the organization. Dues for an individual member are $15 a year. She also invited residents to come see the 40th anniversary exhibit. More information can be obtained by calling (860) 747-6577.