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Calendar Notes!

--Sunday, February 14th, 1-5 P.M. - Valentine's Day Open House
Join us for a Valentine's Day theme event! On display will be antique Valentines greeting cards, plus a display of Hilliard's Valentine's heart boxes from the recent past. Refreshments are available.

Door Prize!
Hilliard's Candy has generously donated a gift card for our door prize. Please be sure to fill out a slip when you come in for the 4 P.M. drawing. Hilliards and Valentine's Day - a perfect combination!

--Sunday, February 21th, Open House, 1-5 P.M. noon - 5 P.M. - National History Day Open House
The eighth grade class at the Easton Middle School recently participated in the school National History Day. The theme is "Innovations in History", and covers a wide scope of discoveries and improvements. This year we are happy to host the local winners and sponsor them for entrance to the district competition in March. Stop in and see what terrific work our young historians are doing. Thanks to the Easton Middle School for their participation!

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The Station Master - President Deborah MacPhee

On November 7, 2009, a 40th anniversary building re-dedication ceremony was held at the former Old Colony Railroad Station to commemorate the generous gift of the Station to the Easton Historical Society. The Station came to house the Society in the fall of 1969, when members of the Ames Families and Parker Family recognized the need for a more permanent home for the Society. At that time, the Society had been in operation for about twenty years. The Society had begun accumulating historical artifacts, which were being stored at the Ames Free Library. The late Mr. David Ames, State Senator Oliver F. Ames, Mr. John S. Ames, Jr., and Mr. William A. Parker purchased and donated the station building and grounds to the Society. This was a remarkably generous gift, and one that has helped the Society to this day. When the guests arrived at the Station for the 40th celebration, they were greeted by the warm smell of vanilla candles, beautiful flowers, and fall decorations. The evening began with several members of the Ames families and the Parker family speaking. Mrs. David Ames, Mrs. Oliver Ames, Mr. John S. Ames III, and Mrs. Frances Parker DeLacvivier represented the families of the original donors. Hazel Varella spoke about receiving the keys to the Station and the building exploration that took place. To commemorate the occasion, a bronze plaque was unveiled. The plaque reads “In appreciation of the Ames Families and the Parker Family. Re-dedication November 7, 2009”. After the speeches, guests viewed the Society's exhibits and enjoyed wine and cheese. This was truly a wonderful evening to enjoy with our distinguished guests and members. In closing, I would like to thank Hazel Varella, Ed Hands, Frank Meninno, and Joan Lundgren for all of their assistance with this wonderful event.

The Station Master
President Deborah MacPhee

Early Easton...

In 1694, the first settler, Clement Briggs established his home near the Easton Green. In 1711, the Taunton North Purchase area became Norton, and in 1713, the twenty-six families settled in Easton and hired Elder William Pratt as their first minister. There was no legal parish in Easton until 1722 when the East Precinct of Norton was recognized. In 1725, the area was incorporated as the Town of Easton; it was so named because it was formerly called the "East End" of the Taunton North Purchase and was shortened by pronunciation to Easton.