Johnston Historical Society offers taste of town's past at Open House

FANTASTIC FACTS: Stephen Capron and Betty Gratta look over one or the many interesting books that the Johnston Historical Society has published through the years.

(Sun Rise photos by Pete Fontaine)

HOSE HISTORY: Johnston Historical Society members Steve Merolla, Doug Stephens and Marie Thierfelder discuss some of the many interesting artifacts – and wall-hangings – inside the Museum Barn while standing underneath banners from the one-time Johnston Hose Companies of Graniteville and Thornton.

(Sun Rise photos by Pete Fontaine)

HAPPY HOSTS: Johnston Historical Society president Elise Carlson and board member Anthony Ursillo enjoy a lighter moment while looking over the special one-page information sheet about the Elijah Angell House during Sunday’s open house.

(Sun Rise photos by Pete Fontaine)

Posted Friday, December 13, 2019 1:25 pm

By PETE FONTAINE

There was holiday hospitality and historical style this past Sunday afternoon at 101 Putnam Pike in Johnston.

In keeping with tradition, the award-winning Johnston Historical Society held its annual open house and offered visitors a trip back in time, complete with home baked goods, hot coffee and discussion of the town’s history.

“This is what we call a well-attended afternoon affair,” offered Anthony Ursillo, a long-time society member who served as co-host inside the Elijah Angell House and provided visitors with a special one-page history of the one-time farmhouse. “People really enjoyed a festive atmosphere.”

Society president Elise Carlson did everything from bake treats to take visitors on a tour of the nearly 200-year-old Elijah Angell House and Museum Barn.

Three longtime society members well-versed in history – Steve Merolla, Doug Stephens and Marie Thierfelder – served as hosts inside the Museum Barn and offered many visitors a cup of hot coffee, a variety of home-baked desserts and information about the extraordinary artifacts that are prominently displayed throughout the barn.

“It that a Wall of Fame?” one visitor asked Merolla who promptly replied: “Those are photographs of former Johnston officials.”

The same sort of scene was repeated time and again inside the Elijah Angell House by Carlson, Carol Johnston and Warren Lamphear, owner of Circa 1700, who actually designed the Museum Barn.

Likewise, longtime society members Jim Lombardi and his wife, Alyce – who also supplied some of the day’s homemade refreshments – offered visitors a tour and their expertise inside the Elijah Angell House.

“Specials thanks also goes out to people from surrounding towns who visited our properties today,” Ursillo said. “We even signed up some new members who are looking forward to our upcoming monthly meetings.”

Ursillo, as well as Carlson and other society members, were thrilled that some of the day’s discussion included teaching the next generation the history of Johnston.