To the Editor,

The Dover Historical Society is no exception to the many Deerfield Valley organizations eager to be part of the Dover Bicentennial in October 2010.

DHS’s Harris House museum, situated across from the Dover Town Office, will be open to the public during its usual summer hours, every Saturday from 12 to 4 pm. Work to improve this facility has begun, but we, the officers and trustees of DHS, would like to include members of the Dover community in projects which are currently underway.

Among these projects is the creation of a period kitchen. A wonderful cast iron and chrome stove, an ice box, and soapstone sink, all donated by Dover residents, feature prominently in this room. We are, however, greatly in need of local items to complete the ambiance. If you have been waiting for the right time to clean out your barn, attic, or basement, or have items from your past which you would like to see kept safe for posterity, please consider donating them to Dover’s Harris House museum.

Specific items currently being sought include: a pitcher pump, vintage kitchen utensils, crockery, a handmade sampler, tin ware, wood box, hooked or braided rug, oil lamp, farm implements, letters, photos, and related items. Likewise, military items representing Dover’s wartime participation would enhance the military room being established. Dover once featured several one-room schoolhouses. Early school items are also being sought. We are hopeful that Dover residents might donate or loan related items.

If you are in possession of items which you feel would be an asset to DHS, or have a related question, please call me at (802) 348-6849 or Betty Van Zandt at (802) 348-6658. Our ambition is to make Harris House truly part of the Dover culture. Thank you in advance for your interest in highlighting and preserving Dover’s history.

Thank you.

Patti Buck

DHS Secretary

Dover