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ABOUT
The Castleton Historical SocietyThe Castleton Historical Society's mission is to discover, preserve and disseminate knowledge about the history of Castleton and the State of Vermont. The Castleton Historical Society was established in 1947 by a group of citizens concerned with saving one of the town's oldest buildings, a small brick house at the end of Main Street, built in the 1790's and called The Cobbler's Shop. This accomplished, the Society flourished through the years and continues to play a dynamic role in the community. In 1991 the Society acquired the Higley House, formerly a private home built in 1811. The house is used as a home for the Historical Society as well as a house museum open to the public. Donations of artifacts, papers and other materials that are locally historic or relate to the historical development of Castleton are welcomed. Written materials like diaries, letters, articles, and photographs are especially appreciated. The acceptance of donations of larger artifacts is contingent upon the approval of the Museum Committee because of severe space limitations. The Castleton Historical Society considers all gifts to be unrestricted and without limiting conditions. All donations are tax deductible; however, the museum is staffed by volunteers and cannot take responsibility for assessing the value of donations. The Castleton Historical Society's offices are located in the Higley House Museum. The Higley House Museum is not open on a regular basis in the winter months, but special visits or group tours may be arranged by calling the contact number below. Museum open to the public during July and August. Sundays 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. You may contact the Castleton Historical Society by phone at 802-265-3208. The mailing address is: Castleton Historical Society Email can be sent to Hydeville@adelphia.net The Higley House Museum is located at 407 Main Street in Castleton at the east end of town. Exit 5 from Route 4A is the nearest exit to the east end of town. Dues are $ 8 per person. Membership includes a subscription to the Castleton Historical Society Newsletter. Checks may be sent to: Castleton Historical Society Please be sure to include your full name and address. GENEALOGY AND HISTORICAL RESEARCH The Castleton Historical Society stores its written materials and records in offices on the second floor of the Higley House Museum and makes them available to individuals doing research on family history. Visitors wishing to research family or local history are welcome at the Castleton Historical Society during regular museum hours. For information regarding genealogical and historical help and/or an appointment to visit the society, please write to the Society address listed above under the Contact section above. Those coming from a distance may wish to make an appointment to assure that a society member will be available. Photocopies of most material may be made for a nominal fee. As with many of the small organizations in Vermont, we rely on volunteers to support and maintain the society. There is no set fee for doing research at the Castleton Historical Society, other than asking requesters to cover costs of photocopies and postage. Many choose to become members of the Society or otherwise donate funds to support our expense of acquiring and preserving documents, books, equipment, etc. Those interested in doing family research may also be interested in some of the web sites described on our links page. Historical Society member Joseph Doran is a valuable resource for information about the history of Hydeville and its slate industry. His E-Mail address is: Hydeville@adelphia.net. A booklet entitled "Castleton Looking Back. Its First Hundred Years", edited in 1995 by Claire Burditt and Sylvia Sullivan, is on sale at the Higley House Museum. The booklet contains text and photographs of very early Castleton people and buildings. The cost is $10. A second printing of the popular booklet entitled "Castleton Scenes of Yesterday" " is on sale now as well, for $10. The reprint of this booklet, first published in 1975, is dedicated to Florence and John Reil. A compilation of copies of the 25 Newsletters sent from town organizations to Castleton's men and women in the armed forces between 1944 and 1946. Spiral bound paperback. $20 per copy. For mail order information on these booklets, contact the Castleton Historical Society at the address and telephone numbers above. |