North Scituate, May 1921 - 2007

MEMORIES OF THE LIFE OF THE

MOUNT HOPE IMPROVEMENT SOCIETY

Originally organized by Stanley H. Blanchard 1949

 

The beginning of this Society (Mt. Hope Improvement Society) was in May, 1921.

As I pursue the records, I find that on the night of the 18th of May 26 1921, people were present for that meeting. Before this meeting, this gathering held a Cemetery meeting. After this, Mrs. Annie M. S. Litchfield called the meeting to order, and all joined in singing "America." At the first election, Mrs. Annie M. S. Litchfield was elected President, Mrs. Nellie T. Merritt was Recording Secretary, and with a Vice-President and six Directors, this society came into life in this community.

 

It is interesting to review the first page of the Secretary's Book, to note the amount of gifts received by this organization. A committee for Ways and Means and George Hardwick as Assistant Janitor, were elected. I also note that this society received the use of the High Street School-house by a vote of the town. At this same meeting, Mr. William O. Clapp passed the hat and collected $4.80 so the treasurer could have money for the Treasury. On May 23rd, 1921, the executive board met and the question for a name of this organization was discussed; several names were suggested.

 

At the second meeting held on June 6th, there were sixty-nine people present, the list of names was presented, and the present name chosen; and this name of the Mount Hope Improvement Society was voted. At this meeting, several gifts and money were received, and I not at this time that kerosene lamps were in use and the kerosene used to fill them was donated. Music and readings concluded this second meeting.

 

In reading these first records, I find the Executive Board held some very busy meetings. Among those who were very active in the work of the Society was one very prominent member who was Mrs. Annie M. S. Litchfield. 1921, several religious meetings were held in the hall.I find plans for the July 4th parade, and this society was to have a float in it. A nominating committee was appointed, the by-laws were read and accepted, dues of 25¢ for members 15 years or over, payable in advance, were voted.

 

As I read onto the forth meeting, I note this Society received first prize, both in Scituate and Cohasset parades, for their float. At the eighth meeting, held on September 19th, it was for a committee to clean the chimney and set up the stove. In the records, the society received a gift of 17 settees. Some were without legs, and Mr. Ernest Ellis fitted legs into about half of them. At this time, it is well to mention the number of religious meetings held in the school-house. Also, that after each regular meeting, there was entertainment.

 

The Annual Report by the secretary, Mrs. Nellie Merritt, of the first year, dated May 15, 1922, was one of the best reports I have noted, and it gives a complete summary of the twenty meetings, held for the year beginning May 18, 1921. Following the secretaries report was one by the President, and if the example set by these two officers was followed at the present time, we would have the best records of any organization. I note at times in the second year of this Society the meetings were not attended by enough members for a quorum, so no business was transacted.

 

During the year 1923, meetings were held at various homes of the members and on May 5, 1924, a meeting was held at the Hall, and the report of this meeting, the town authorities had given written consent for the use of the School-house for this society.

 

Religious meetings were held Sundays during the year 1924.

 

At the annual meeting of May 18, 1925, a committee was chosen to form a Corporation - no action taken on this matter. At the September 21st meeting, it was voted to purchase six whist tables. I also noted that Harold Burbank was paid 25¢ a night to build the fire.

 

October 18, 1926 meeting this Society paid $27.00 for chairs.

 

June 13, 1927 meeting, it was voted to buy dishes and silver from money made at whist parties.

At the July 11, 1927 meeting, voted money to paint walls, the men to scrape walls, and the women to furnish refreshments. On August 15, a special meeting was called to see about paying for the ceiling as Mr. John Litchfield reported a bill of $105.00.

 

During the year 1927 to 1928, this society was not very active, although the bill of $105.00 was paid, and $192.00 was paid for painting.

 

In the year of 1929, only three meetings were held.

 

In 1930, I find a record of only one meeting held.

 

The record of the meeting held on October 31st, 1931 shows money was earned at whist parties, also a donation of $10.00 was made toward the cemetery gates.

 

The North Scituate Welfare League in 1932 used the hall for a Turkey Supper, also a Xmas Party. The society, after two nights of whist, decided to hold meetings at homes, as there were not enough people attending, to open the hall.

 

During the year 1941, a clam chowder supper with Willard Litchfield as chairman, and a turkey supper with Ezra Litchfield as chairman, was enjoyed by a large number. Several new members were added to the toll during the year. And entertainment by the Daisy Class of the North Scituate Baptist Church was enjoyed at the March 24th meeting. New green shades were purchased for the windows, also a piano was donated for the Society. During 1941, screens and a screen door were added to our list of possessions; also electric outlets were installed.

 

In January, 1942, the society voted to insure their property, and this was done. At the May 25th meeting, Mr. George C. Turner gave a very interesting talk on "old houses with new owners", and community singing enjoyed by all closed the evening's program. A gift of twelve sugar bowls, given by Mr. Glenn Burt, was gratefully received. During 1942, a turkey supper was served, also covered dish suppers an oil barrel and stand was placed on the grounds for a supply of oil. It was voted that the president serve on the Red Cross Camp and Hospital committee.

 

This year of 1943 was one of the war years and it was difficult to obtain sugar and oil, also gasoline for travel, so that the last few months of 1942 and the first months of 1943 saw few meetings, and the officers carried on the necessary business of the Society. Black-out shades were placed at the windows in the hall. The secretary's report for the years 1942-1943, gives fifteen meetings for the year.

A service flag was purchased and placed in the window. Notations were made about a traveling-basket - money was donated to various organizations. It was voted at the July 26th meeting to send a carton of cigarettes to each boy in the service from this community. Also, cards signed by members were sent the the boys.

 

During the year 1944, only a few meetings were held, and then at the homes of members, as everyone was busy and very little gas for travel, but again, the officers carried on the necessary business.

 

December, 1945, a Christmas Party was held with exchange of gifts, singing of carols, after which refreshments were served.

 

A very special meeting was held on March 27, 1946, when the returned servicemen were entertained at supper. The tables were decorated with a small flag at each place. After the supper, the gathering was welcomed by the president, who then turned the meeting over to the chairmen of entertainment, who was Mrs. Nellie De Haan, who had a very pleasing program. At the annual meeting of the Society in April 1946, a new president was elected, relieving the past president, who had served the four war years.

At the October 8th meeting, the committee on by-laws brought in revised by-laws, and after reading and discussing, it was voted to accept them. the committee was to have the same printed or typed, and a copy given to each member. Several members of the society gave their time and cars to help on the Halloween Parties for the children of the town, sponsored by the PTA. In December, 1946, it was voted to send a Xmas basket to the "stut-ins" of the community, and eighteen baskets were delivered. Also toys were purchased and sent to needy children in this part of the town.

 

May 1947, the society gave a supper and entertainment to the two service boys that returned after the first group had been entertained. Also, this month saw the end of our whist parties for the season.

 

April 1950, new plastic drapes for the windows were purchased and hung. Each year the Christmas baskets are delivered to the shut-ins.

 

January 1951, a very fine party was held at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Cusick. An item of interest and pleasure was a traveling apron on which patches covering a money donation was sewed on. This was under the direction of Mrs. Blanchard and Mrs. Burbank. Flags were presented to the Girl Scouts and the Brownies. July 1951, the Burbank family served a fine outdoor luncheon that was enjoyed by all.

A book was presented the new elementary school. LeRoy Fuller accepted same for the school. Committee chairman was Mrs. Effie Blanchard. New playing cards were purchased and a new punch as the whist committee had requested.

 

During 1952 the Satuit Band met in the hall and at our sale gave a free concert. Tables were remade so that three instead of two large ones would be easier to handle. Lawn party held July 30th was very successful and a profit of $133.75 was turned over to the treasurer.

 

A New Year's party on Jan. 13, 1953, was held at the home of Doris and Wilma Burbank. It was a very pleasant evening and all enjoyed a bountiful repast. Mary Cullinane, chairman of good cheer, was a very active person during 1952 and deserved a great deal of thanks. August 12, 1953 was a repeat of our 1952 lawn party and was very successful. During the past years we have made our annual donations to the Cemetery Corp.

 

At the January 4, 1955 meeting, pictures shown by Whitford Merritt of the 25th wedding anniversary trip he and Mrs. Merritt took to California, were enjoyed by all. During the winter of 1955-56, electric lights were placed at the dishpan pond for the benefit of the skaters.

 

At this time 1941 to 1956 several meetings at the members homes and they are there times to be well remembered for the social and neighborly associations enjoyed at these gatherings.

 

January 1960 Mrs. Blanchard and I celebrated our 50th wedding anniversary and a few days later met with a bad auto accident and at both occasions were well remembered by the members of this society.

 

In the years of 1960-1970 no records were kept due to low membership.

 

On October 7, 1970 Marion Ellis, Ruth Wagner, & Mildred Litchfield were Honorary Members.

 

March 3 1973, a letter from the town administrator to Mt Hope Improvement Society allows the members continuing overseeing use and maintenance of the building. Ezra & Willard Litchfield, Whit & May Merritt became Honorary Members September, 10th.

 

September 8, 1975, new flag from town presented to Mt. Hope.

 

October 22, 1978 As per Town Counsel, Ed Ryan, town owns Mt. Hope building, and land is under jurisdiction of the Park Department.

 

March 13, 1981 it was voted to accept Mt. Hope by laws as presented by committee.

 

May 16, 1994, the neighbors of this organization, after a unanimous vote, are requesting that the intersection of Clapp St. and Summer St. become a four way stop.

 

November 5, 1995, Members hold an open house between 1 and 3 to encourage new members.

 

November 14, 1997 David Corbin treated the members to a slide show on "Scituate, Then and Now."

 

March 11, 1998 the local sounds of acoustical music were heard at the 1st Annual Mt. Hope Coffee House. I was very successful. From June through July 1998, some members, but mostly Howard Mathews, gave the old school house a fresh new painting on the outside. "Itchy's Pole" gets an island, and no longer stands alone in the four way intersection of Summer & Clapp.

 

December 7, 1999 Mt. Hope gets a complete makeover on the inside. Traditional colonial colors for the historic building were chosen by ballot by the members.

 

May 17, 2000 the Mt. Hope Improvement Society arrives into new age of technology and gets it's very own website!

 

2001 proved to be a productive year with the Christmas Bazaar, with the crafty crew starting in August and working right up to the day of the event.

 

In 2002 the society made a donation to 3 graduating Scituate High School students who all went on to colleges. There was also a Garden and House tour of members homes in the neighborhood.

 

March 14, 2003 there was an Italian Night for members. We spent the night eating and enjoying each others company.

 

2004 We welcomed a new event to our ever changing ways to entertain ourselves...and held our first African Drum night with Andy Bergsten as conductor.

March 2005 it was Ladies Bunco night, we found a fast, exciting game everyone loved.

2006 the Artful garden event draws people to our neighborhood to wander through gardens, big and small with artist painting among the flowers and musicians playing.

In 2007, the membership continued it’s success in the annual plant sale, held in May.  Generous neighbors and members section and donate many perennials from their own precious gardens.