North Quabbin History Tour celebrates region’s past

This Sunday, those curious about the region’s history can learn more when seven local historical societies open the doors to their museums for the annual North Quabbin History Tour.

The tour, now in its third year, will include the museums in Athol, Royalston, Orange, Petersham, New Salem and Phillipston. For the Royalston Historical Society, the event marks the grand re-opening of the first floor of the society’s museum at 10 On the Common.

RHS members have been busy in recent months cleaning and organizing the museum and adding to displays throughout the historic two-story structure, which also houses the town’s post office.

The building, know as Old Schoolhouse Number One, was constructed in 1835 and functioned as a school until construction of the nearby Raymond School by the Works Progress Administration in 1939.

Historical Society member Lorraine Casinghino explained that visitors to the museum will find walls festooned with historical photographs and displays that include items rarely, if ever, seen by the public. Casinghino said Sunday’s event, while honoring Royalston’s past, is also a tribute to “members of the Historical Society who have preceded us and collected all of these valuable items.”

She cited Peter Kraniak, a 30-year member and longtime president of the society, who died on April 19, 2025, and served as chair of Royalston’s Historic District Commission, working to preserve the historic nature and appearance of buildings and homes in the area around the Town Common.

“He really was important here,” said society member Maureen Blasco. “He was the one who really worked to keep the society going.”

“We’re going to start with a whole wall of early maps,” Consinghino explained. “Some of the maps we have dated from the 18^th century.”

She also pointed out a collection of boots sitting on an old table as one enters the museum. A number of leather-working tools accompany the display.

“We found all of those boots inside the wall of a house here on the common,” she said. “People used to hide a shoe – a shoe – in the eves of a house to ward off evil spirits. But we found 25 shoes in this one house, and there’s no indication a cobbler ever lived there. So, somebody was either very superstitious or, another theory, they used to piece-out leather work from Worcester to tanners and shoemakers in this area to assemble.”

Visitors will also find a cabinet holding scales and other items used by the person in charge of weights and measures for the town.

“Every town in Massachusetts got one,” said Blasco of the scales. “Many towns have thrown theirs away. It’s one of a very few that are left,”

Pictures that have been curated for Sunday’s re-opening include many celebrating Royalston’s past as a factory town, as well as others paying homage to the residents of Finnish heritage who began moving to town in the 1880s and 1890s and either worked in the local mills or established farms in town.

Other displays include items and pictures regarding the town’s agricultural and trade history, floods and fires that have occurred over the years, and geological and archaeological exhibits. The second floor includes a large display of beautiful handmade quilts.

All of the museums on the tour will be open from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 20.

Addresses for each are: Royalston Historical Society, 10 On the Common; Athol Historical Society, 1307 Main St.; Orange Historical Society, 41 North Main St.; Petersham Historical Society, 10 North Main St.; Narragansett Historical Society, 1 Boynton Road, Templeton; Swift River Museum, 40 Elm St., New Salem; and Phillipston Historical Society, 80 State Road.