Historical Society kicks the year off with trip back to 1960s

Marlborough - The Marlborough Historical Society is preparing to walk down Memory Lane Tuesday Sept. 25 at its annual kickoff meeting. Event organizers plan to take members back to the 1960s, when go-go boots and polyester pants were the rage.

The event will begin at 6 p.m. with an opportunity for visitors to view 1960s paraphernalia, including posters, yearbooks, games and a 1966 Buick owned by Marlborough resident Darren McLaughlin.

The viewing will be followed by a potluck dinner beginning at 7 p.m. at the Peter Rice Homestead in Marlborough. The Historical Society will provide paper products and beverages and people attending the event are asked to bring their favorite dishes to share.

Historical Society Vice President Peggy Ayers encouraged the public to attend.

"Members and the public are invited to test their memory on the decade that changed the social fabric of America," Ayers said, "or browse the display from the years that gave us 'Camelot,' the race for space, the civil rights movements, hippies and 'the pill.'"

Some of the posters included in the viewing portray images from the big screen and films such as: "Easy Rider," "Bonnie and Clyde," "The Graduate," "2001: A Space Odyssey" and "Rosemary's Baby."

The event will also feature disc jockey "Ricky" who will revisit the musical explo- sion of the 1960s, spinning vinyls from Motown, folk musicians and the British Invasion.

The Marlborough Historical Society is dedicated to preserving and displaying the historical artifacts in and around Marlborough and maintains the Peter Rice Homestead, built in 1681 and located at 377 Elm St. The homestead is open to the public most Tuesdays from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. The building is also the location of the Historical Society's monthly meetings.

During the monthly meetings, the society is involved in preparing for a variety of fund-raising events as well as hosting guest speakers. The first guest presenter, Stephen Collins, will be at the Thursday Oct. 25 meeting.

The Historical Society's September events include taking part in a nationwide "Museum Day" program, a national effort to give the general public the opportunity to visit museums and cultural institutions across the country free of charge. The Marlborough Historical Society will participate by off ering free guided tours of the homestead from 1 to 3 p.m. Saturday Sept. 29.

The society will also have a booth at the 12th annual Heritage Festival - Sunday Sept. 30 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Main Street in Marlborough - which will provide residents another opportunity to learn what the Historical Society does. This year's booth will feature for purchase the society's 2008 calendar.

For information about the society or the upcoming events, visit www.historicmarlborough. org or call Peggy Ayers at 508-481- 7118.