Among the items preserved at the Narragansett Historical Society are photo cards of Col. Artemas Lee, a well-known town resident, who was a shopkeeper for many years and a politician serving in the Massachusetts House of Representatives. Thanks to a recent donation by Mary Alla Bastiani of Reading, the society now has the portrait that these later photos were taken from.
“The old pictures we have of him at this age were actually taken from this portrait; I matched them perfectly. It was very common for family members to create a family album and include others by taking a picture of their portrait on the wall.” The historical society also has one actual photograph of Lee in his later years.
In 1829, according to the “Story of Templeton,” by Elizabeth Wellington Lord, Col. Lee built the building at the start of South Road. He kept a store and lived in the main part. John Bigelow kept clocks in the north end and there was a shoe shop as well. The store recently closed and is now a real estate business, according to Brian Tanguay, president and curator of the Narragansett Historical Society.
Upon receiving the portrait in the mail, Tanguay said, “I’ve studied the life and times of Templeton history as curator of the Historical Society since 1991, so he is familiar to me and needs no label for me to recognize him. Similar to finding an old picture of a long-lost family member, it was very satisfying,” Tanguay said.
“I was cleaning out my parents’ home in Winchester, where I grew up, in preparation to put the house on the market and we found the painting in the attic,” said Bastiani. Her mother, Ruth Alla, who is now 104, is living with Bastiani.
“We have no idea where the painting came from. We suspect she purchased it at a yard sale or estate sale, for the lovely oval frame that was once around it. She used to love to go to yard sales,” Bastiani said. The 8-by-10-inch oval painting had handwriting on the back indicating the subject was Col. Artemas Lee from Templeton. It also had the date the portrait was painted, 1852. The painter, unfortunately, did not sign their work.
“I got on the computer, found the historical society out there and said, ‘This is where the painting belongs, absolutely.’ I hope it will be meaningful to the members of the society and the townspeople,” Bastiani said.
The painting appears to be on paper with a thin wooden backing and possibly some form of charcoal or pencil with some light color to his face,” Tanguay said, adding he will next find an appropriate vintage frame to display the portrait in.
“His portrait will find a home in our main building along with the others we’ve salvaged and framed, those who were influential in building Templeton or starting the Historical Society.”
The Narragansett Historical Society building will be open every Tuesday night from 6 to 8 p.m., starting in mid-April, and most Saturdays from 1 to 5 p.m., depending on the number of volunteers the society has available. Anyone interested in volunteering can contact the society at nh1924society@gmail.com or through their facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/groups/nh1924society
Carla Charter is a freelance writer from Phillipston. Her writing focuses on history with a particular interest in the history of the North Quabbin area. Contact her at cjfreelancewriter@earthlink.net.