The Society's meetings, 1921-22.
The opening meeting of the season was on October 17.
Several members gave accounts of summer vacation experiences, a letter from
Mr. Remele (who had recently removed to
California), telling of scenes there was read and listened to with interest.
Miss Hila Helen Small of the High School staff then gave an instructive and interesting address on
Dante.
On November 21 was the ‘Thanksgiving Time Meeting.’
President Ackerman spoke of contrasts between 1621 and 1921 and read of the first Pilgrim thanksgiving day.
Master Kenneth Ames and
Miss Dorothy Richards read peace selections from the poet
Whittier, and this part taken by our young visitors was much appreciated.
While the assembly stood, announcement was made of the recent deaths of two long-time members,
Rosewell Bigelow Lawrence and
Leonard Jarvis Manning.
At the meeting of December 18
Mrs. Mary Soule Googins, a member (and Mayflower descendant from
George Soule) read an interesting paper,‘The Women of the
Mayflower,’ which is in register, Vol.
XXVI, p. 25. The ‘Bay Path’ following the
Indian trail to
Connecticut was also considered.
The annual meeting was on January 16, 1922.
It was certainly a ‘Lodge of Sorrow.’
The members stood while the president again announced the passing away of
Messrs. Lawrence and
Manning, followed by those of
Miss Agnes Wyman Lincoln,
Charles Nelson Jones and
John Henry Hooper; a series of great losses to the Society and unprecedented in its history.
[p. 42]
A letter from
Miss Lincoln, written at the hospital, regretting her inability to attend the December meeting, and hoping for further service with us, was read and, enclosed in glass, was presented for preservation.
Especial mention of the interest and service of all was made by members present; especially of the long life and public service of
Mr. Hooper and his contributions to
Medford history in the register's pages.
Discussion of publication followed; reports of officers for the past year were read and accepted, and the present board of officers re-elected; all suggestions made were referred to the directors for consideration.
On April 17, 1922, occurred the next meeting, those of February and March having been omitted, by vote of directors.
Delegates from the G. A. R., W. R. C. and the D. A. R. were present.
The American Legion and the
Spanish War Veterans were also invited but were not represented.
The speaker,
Mr. Harlan P. Knight (of
Somerville Historical Society), gave a most interesting address on ‘The Flags of our Country,’ illustrated by lantern slides showing a succession from that of the Norseman to that of the Allies in the
World War.
The May meeting, on the 15th, was addressed by
Capt. Lemuel Pope of West Medford, who told of the ‘
Battle of Mobile Bay,’ and who presented the Society with an oil painting, executed by a friend of his who was there in the action.
It shows the various ships in line, that of
Admiral Farragut being the second.
The records show quite a number of accessions to our collection at this time, and a few new members.
The library has had its usual increase, some volumes of local history, but mainly by the register's exchanges.
Some change in publication was contemplated by the directorate but found impracticable and the register has been published as usual.