Interview with Cris White
Williamsville, VT
Cris White speaks of growing up in Williamsville as a member of the Williams family. She describes the perfect childhood she had in the village of Williamsville and the importance of the swimming hole and both hard work and fun. She discusses the former Williamsville store that was run by her grandfather, a quiet and noble man who drove very slowly. She talks about her husband, Wayne White, who was a builder and founded WW Building Supplies to ensure his company had enough materials to meet demand.
She mentions an old family tale about sharing clothes for a funeral and her childhood jobs as a carhop at the Buckeye on Route 30 and a helper at an early bed & breakfast for skiiers.
Cris relates attending the two-room schoolhouse with students from grade 1-8 and helping out younger or struggling students and putting on schoolwide programs for holidays, including Memorial Day.
She mentions the Observation Tower that used to exist on Depot Road, where community members would spend days and nights watching out for possible enemy attacks during WW2.
Cris also discusses her love of antique objects and how she loves to learn about the history of objects and her goal to pass them along to people who will appreciate them.
Erica Walch
August 21, 2021
Interview with Sandy Dowley Part 1
Sandy describes growing up in Newfane Village before it was "discovered" after I-91 was constructed. She tells stories of the Newfane School, participating in plays at Mr. Field's theatre, working in the telephone exchange, and meeting her girlfriend's brother--her future husband.
Laura Wallingford-Bacon
2021-06-29
Interview with Carleen Pelsue, Part 1
Carleen Pelsue discusses spending the summers on the top of Newfane Hill as a child, in a lively and social home, including getting a television set up in the window so people could watch the World Series from the lawn. The home was a retreat for her mother Ruth and her father, Dr. Carlos Otis, though patients would find their way to his doorstep sometimes and Carleen would be on hand when Dr. Otis would treat them at the kitchen table. Carleen also discusses Ben-Casson, a relgious revival site on Newfane Hill, founded by Harriet Caswell, a missionary to Indians in NY State. Carleen also discusses some of the noteworthy bird and botany scientists who were affiliated with Newfane Hill, including Abel Grout, who built the house where Carleen and her husband Bucky now live. She discusses wildlife, the weather, and how she stayed connected with her family during the pandemic.
August 16, 2021
Interview with Bob Litchfield
Newfane, VT
After growing up in Newfane Village, Bob Litchfield discusses the Newbrook Fire Department as well as some of the characters that lived in town in the 1950s-1980s. Bob was rocking in a rocking chair during this interview - if you hear a funny sound, that's what it is!
August 17, 2021
Interview with Thom Dahlin
Thom discusses growing up in Newfane Village, working at the Newfane Inn and learning the restaurant business from Chef Rene Chardaine, who later opened the Four Columns Inn. He remembers Budd and Don Kent, the postmaster and mailman who were also his next door neighbors across Route 30 from the Texaco Station operated by Bob Brooks.
Henriette Mantel
August 15, 2021
Interview with David Palmer
The Palmer Family started visiting Newfane Hill in the 1930s and inherited and then bought property on Newfane Hill and around Kenny Pond (also known as Grout Pond). He discusses electricity coming in 1946, Louise Haight and Miss Burlingham, Able and Guy Grout, the various properties acquired by the Palmers, local figures such as Harold Whitaker, Mert Coleman, Red and Marion Chaffee and Ed Druke. He mentions an old logging railroad that used to run through Williamsville. He talks about the Kenny family that originally settled the area in the 1700s and the two mills they built using the water dammed from the pond. He mentions a fire in their original house on top of Newfane Hill in 1967, which the volunteer firefighters tamed by pumping water from Kenny Pond and bringing it up the hill. He also discusses how his parents were able to be the last people buried in the old Newfane Hill Cemetery.
Erica Walch
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August 1, 2021
Interview with Fran Grout Part 2
In the two interviews with Fran Grout, Laura and Castle are gathering information about The Grange. Fran (Lawton) was born in Dummerston and became a member of the Grange as a teenager. She married Grank Grout (of Newfane) and explains the "Who's Who" of the Grout Family lineage. Fran lived in Williamsville her entire adult life, and was an active member of the Williamsville Grange right up to 1969 when it dissolved. Social life revolved around the Grange. Fran shared fond memories of their activities as well as her in-depth knowledge of the Grange, which was an important (and powerful) entity nationally, at the State level and locally.
Laura Wallingford-Bacon
2003
Interview with Fran Grout Part 1
In the two interviews with Fran Grout, Laura and Castle are gathering information about The Grange. Fran (Lawton) was born in Dummerston and became a member of the Grange as a teenager. She married Grank Grout (of Newfane) and explains the "Who's Who" of the Grout Family lineage. Fran lived in Williamsville her entire adult life, and was an active member of the Williamsville Grange right up to 1969 when it dissolved. Social life revolved around the Grange. Fran shared fond memories of their activities as well as her in-depth knowledge of the Grange, which was an important (and powerful) entity nationally, at the State level and locally.
Laura Wallingford-Bacon
2003
Interview with Jonathan Julian
Jon Julian talks about his arrival in Williamsville in the late 1960s and the dynamics of the "new comers" integrating with the long time residents of the town. He speaks of his role in community efforts to create the vibrant spaces of the Cause Schoolhouse and the Williamsville Grange. Jon reflects on his long and varied employment opportunities culminating (for now) with 25 years of the Top of the Hill Grill.
Pat Halloran
2021-04-05
Interview with Jean Allbee
Newfane, VT
Interview with Jean Allbee, who describes growing up on West Street (when it was a dirt road), playing commando on the Common with other kids, going to the big square dance, and other aspects of days gone by. She also discusses her 30 year career teaching first and second grade, including the board game she made that was a big hit with her students.
Erica Walch
May 18, 2021