NewsLetter

WELCOME EVERYONE,

Although we experienced a rather wet spring, summer and fall, we had several visitors from across the

states to visit Gen. Wait’s Home. It is always a pleasure to welcome folks to our Valley and find out they

have some relation to Gen. Wait or other former residents of days gone by. It is even better when we can

pass on to them information to add to their research of an ancestor.

We have also had a few donated items to add to our archival collection which belonged to former

residents.

EXCITING WAIT HOUSE NEWS:

The word we have been waiting for: The Gen. Wait House property will remain in the ownership of our

Town and as of October 23rd

, the Selectboard adopted bylaws for the creation of “The Gen. Wait House

Commission”. This Commission is “to support the Town in maintaining and preserving the Gen. Wait

House for posterity, and to benefit the residents and visitors to Waitsfield”. Six letters from those

interested to be on the Commission were received rather quickly after it was properly advertised. On Nov.

13th.

those people were accepted to be on the Commission by the Selectboard. Now the work begins. An

officer on the Board of our Historical Society is one of those members.

At that same Selectboard meeting, the need for a new roof for the Wait House was a big topic and how to

pay for this, then getting estimates for the job and finally getting on someone’s calendar. This will

hopefully be done in 2024.

OUR HISTORICAL SOCIETY BOARD MEETING REPORT:

October 4th

was our final 2023 Board meeting. One of the Selectboard members attended along with a few

other people. One of them was Alice Evans to discuss her new book “Our Suffering Brave: Waitsfield

Boys & Men in the Civil War”.

OUR NEW WEBSITE:

Our website changeover is taking longer to complete due to the amount of photos we have to transfer. We

are working through the 800 (+) photos and their titles (where included) to transfer them to the new site

and are looking forward to introducing it to everyone in the new year. Thank you kindly for your patience.

The wait will be worth it.

OUR PHOTO COLLECTION:

We have completed several photo albums for research such as “people”, “schools”, “churches”, “floods”,

“views of Waitsfield through the years” and still moving on. Working on one of each historic house with

the names of original owners (if possible).

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OUR WINTER HOURS:

October through April our Museum and office will be open by appointment only by calling/texting Lois at

802-793-6037or emailing stepback@gmavt.net. We welcome hearing from you anytime and are only

minutes away from the Wait House.

We will again have regular open hours from May through September on Wednesdays from 2: to 5: pm.

Either call or check our website for possible changes.

OPEN POSITIONS ON OUR BOARD:

Within the year, we have had two Board members retire due to illness and the fact that one isn’t in town

most of the year. Chairman positions are needed also. Without these people, it is almost impossible to put

together any programs. You know the saying “many hands”.

If you are interested in becoming an active member or have any questions, please feel free to call Lois at

the above number.

NEXT BOARD MEETING:

We will meet on Wednesday, Feb. 7th

, 2024 @ 2: pm at the Gen. Wait House. The Board will take

nominations from the floor for attending persons interested in filling our vacant Board positions: Vice

President, Secretary and 3 Directors (Chairmen).

The Agenda will consist of discussion of programs for the year.

MEMBERSHIP RENEWAL TIME:

Enclosed is your 2024 form to fill out and return. If you know of anyone who would like to be a member

of the Waitsfield Historical Society, a form can be printed from our website, you could make a copy of

yours for them or there are forms on a table outside of our office in the Information Entrance. Also there

is a “Dropbox” there if you wish to save a stamp!

We wish you and your family a very Merry Christmas and Happy Holiday Season.

Waitsfield Historical Society Board members for 2024:

Lois De Heer, President/Archivist

Bob Burley, Vice President (Temp.)

Shirley Viens, Secretary (Temp.)/Assistant Archivist

Lois De Heer, Treasurer