Historical pg 3 12-6-12
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- Category: Past Issues
Historical
society opens
gift shop
By Ron P. Coderre
The effort in promoting “shop local” by The Putnam Business Association, during the upcoming holiday season and throughout the year, has taken another small step forward in Putnam.
Visitors and shoppers in downtown Putnam who stroll to the restaurant section of the community are urged to continue around the corner to Union Street and to the former railroad station. The Aspinock Historical Society, off the heels of a successful day at the recent Pumpkin Festival, has opened a small shop in the annex of the train station.
“We were so pleased with the response we received during the Pumpkin Fest that we decided to try our hand at this effort throughout the holiday season. If it pans outs it may be something we’d consider more permanently,” said Society President Bill Pearsall.
The shop, which will open on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, thanks to the cooperation of train station owner Jim Dandeneau, features a variety of memorabilia on the history of Putnam. Replicas of photos of community buildings prior to some of the historic fires and the Flood of ’55 devastated parts of the town are available for sale. There are also a number of books on the history of Putnam and maps of the town prior to the reconfiguration of the Quinebaug River.