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Bill Pearsall locks the Aspinock Historical Society's Time Chest. More photos on page 4 and additional photos Wednesday night on our FB page: Putnam Town Crier & Northeast Ledger. Linda Lemmon photos.

Just some of the items that went into the Aspinock Historical Society's Time Chest Jan. 28.


By Linda Lemmon
Town Crier Editor
PUTNAM --- And with a solid “thunk” the last 25 years of Putnam’s history was preserved. “Our present,” said Aspinock Historical Society President John Miller, “will be tomorrow’s history.”
This is the second 25 years preserved by the society. The first 25 years’ memorabilia collection was opened Jan. 22, 2022. The “official” time chest was handmade by Richard Flagg around 1997.
Jan. 28, 2023, society officers, volunteers and friends gathered around the society’s long research table, spread with mementos of Putnam’s last 25 years before it was all transferred into the huge chest. The first 25 years was at the bottom of the chest with a large piece of cardboard to separate it from this past 25 years of  memorabilia.
Committee Chair Jeanne Benoit thanked “so many people” who helped with the time chest effort. Terri Pearsall organized the mementos. Linda Lemmon of the Putnam Town Crier & Northeast Ledger, was also thanked for her help.
Bill Pearsall recounted talking with fellow historical society member Robert Miller long ago Miller asked Pearsall to take over his town historian duties and the time capsule/chest was discussed. At the time the society was housed in the old red Aspinock House on School Street. The first set of memorabilia about Putnam was put into the chest 25 years ago when the society was in that house. Pearsall said later that there was a note that said “if you’re not here, move this to the Town Hall.” But the society is here, in the Municipal Complex with space enough to store the history, do research and to display Putnam’s history.
When the chest was first opened a year ago, no one could find the key for the chest’s padlock, so bolt cutters were used. They supposed that the key was left on a nail on the door frame of the Aspinock House. That building was demolished to make room for the entrance/exit for the Municipal Complex.
What was one of the biggest surprises coming from the first 25 years? A TV Guide.
Society members noted that it’s difficult to think of things that should be preserved when you drive by them every day or take them for granted. Things like a TV Guide …
Nevertheless, what went into the chest Jan. 28?  Great Pumpkin Fest, some information on the Putnam Rotary Club’s upcoming 100th anniversary, set for later in 2023, the Hale YMCA Youth and Family Center, CT Army National Guard Readiness Center groundbreaking, the MLK Mural, visitors information brochures, grocery flyers, menus from restaurants, a list of every current business in Putnam, Mike Bogdanski’s 1973 Black Belt (and other items), a rundown on the Jan. 22, 2022, chest opening, a Town of Putnam mug (with the wrong founding date on it), information and events at the Cady Copp Cottage, the renovation and reopening of the Gertrude Chandler Warner Boxcar Children’s Museum, Louise Pempek’s info on the 1774 flag, the Coca-Cola mural renovation, Aspinock’s 50th anniversary program, Locked in Love, new DMV, Sculpture Affair, the Chickering, “A Stroll Through Putnam” with photographs, a Shopper’s Guide, E. Putnam Fire Station, the Putnam Police Department’s 125th anniversary, The Last Green Valley info, Municipal Complex construction/opening, Aspinock’s “How we end up here”, COVID-19, sheep statue, Rotary Park, the Bandstand, WIN Waste Innovations, the trash cans painted with Putnam scenes, an Aspinock bag, a Sesquicentennial coin/Putnam Town Crier's story, Putnam Town Crier’s 9-11 paper, painted calf statues,Bradley Playhouse’s new “old” marquee and restoration inside,  list of 1st set of items in the time chest. Following the tradition from 25 years ago, third graders did essays (spearheaded by Jeanne Benoit) … and much more. It was all gently laid into the chest with the “Putnam blue” bow/ribbons that were cut for the Municipal Complex opening and the boxcar’s reopening placed gently on top. Top down. Locked. Thunk.
See you in 25 years!

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