The Milford Historical Society invites you to take a memory
trip back to see your childhood toys and books when its summer exhibit opens
Sat. June 3, 1 to 4 p.m. at its headquarters, 34 High St. Then join us for a
reception from 2 to 4 p.m. (Exhibit also open Sunday, June 4 from 1 to 4 p.m.
and every weekend until fall.)Among the items on display will be a doll’s striped canvas
folding beach chair (c.1950), yellow metal Armsco “Doll-E-Crib” bed with an
adjustable side rail (c.1950), a child’s wooden drying rack (c.1910), a
Horseman 18-inch baby doll (c.1924), Rag doll (c.1925), Effanbee 16-inch little
girl doll (c.1930), log cabin doll house (c.1980) and a child’s wooden DUBL
HANDI washboard (c.1910) from the Columbus Washboard Co.,Columbus, Ohio.
Children of today will enjoy seeing these toys of the past,
but if your own memory stretches back to treasures in “grandma’s or great
grandma’s” attic, you might remember, a rickshaw-style painted doll’s carriage with
a leather bonnet lined in velvet (c.1867), a four-storied lithograph doll house
(c.1890), a wicker baby carriage (c.1890) and a child’s black painted pressed
back rocking chair (c.1890).
There’s something for everyone to enjoy from the society’s
collection of children’s books from 1897 to 1950s.
Also on exhibit will be a 1758 infant shift belonging to
Samuel Higby of Milford. It has two narrow shoulder straps attached to a chest
band with a gathered skirt including a 2-inch hem of a different muslin,
printed with red and pink flowers. This infant later went on to add another
story to Milford’s history.
When he was a Deacon at the 1st Church of Christ
he encountered Thomas Jefferson’s vice president Aaron Burr, who was traveling
by coach through Milford on his way to Philadelphia. Higby, a church tithing
man, (charged with enforcing the observance of the Sabbath) told Burr to stop
and stay overnight before continuing his journey, because there was a law
prohibiting travel on Sunday!
Tours of Milford’s three 18th century houses are
free, although donations are gratefully accepted. Visitors are welcome to view the herb and flower
gardens and spend some time in the Country Store gift shop that
offers such things as books, map reproductions, candles,
old-fashioned toys, lavender sachets and small flags.
Anyone interested in joining the
society visit milforhistoricalsociety.org.
