"THE OBJECT OF THE MADISON HISTORICAL SOCIETY SHALL BE TO PROVIDE AN OPPORUNITY FOR UNITED THOUGHT AND ACTION IN COLLECTING AND PRESERVING ARTICLES OF HISTORIC INTEREST TO THE TOWN OF MADISON; TO ENCOURAGE AND ASSIST IN RESEARCH; TO COLLECT, ARRANGE AND RECORD FACTS RELATIVE TO THE TOWN; TO INFORM NEWCOMERS OF MADISON'S RICH PAST, AND TO SHOW HANDIWORK, HOME FURNISHINGS AND THE WAY OF LIFE OF THE RESIDENTS OF THE TOWN FROM THE EARLIEST TIME THROUGH THE PRESENT." MHS Bylaws, rev. 2006
The Madison Historical Society was first organized on September 3, 1958. Meetings are held on the third Thursday from May to September. The Madison Historical Society Museum, located at Madison Corner, is open from 2-4 each Tuesday from June through Labor Day and by appointment.
President: Linda Smith, Vice-President: Mary McIntosh, Secretary: Betty Fernandes, Treasurer: Penny Hathaway, Curator: Karen Lord, Directors: Bebe Bartlett, Joy Gray, Chelsea Krautmann, Nancy Martin, Christina McAllister, Ann Wilkins, David Wilkins
1916
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2014
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2015 after new foundation
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HISTORICAL TIME LINE OF THE HISTORICAL SOCIETY MUSEUM BUILDING
1852 - The first Town Meeting was held in the Union Meeting House (Harmony Hall).
1853 - There was a Warrant Article to see what measures the Town would take in regard to a Town House.
1854 - A Petitioned Article regarding the building of a Town House was passed over each year until 1884. Meetings were held at Jesse Ferren's house, the Madison House Hall, Jotham Harmon's Store, School House District 1, School House District 2, Alonzo Bickford's House, and the store of Langdon Atkinson.
1884 - A Town House was built by Nathaniel Nason at the cost of $800 for materials, labor and painting.
1886-1913 - Repairs were done each year, including underpinnings, painting and shingling.
1918 - Electricity was installed.
1920-1921 - An annex was added (kitchen) and two chemical toilets.
1923-1945 - Repairs were done off and on.
1945 - Town meetings were held in the Odd Fellows Hall (now the current Town Hall) in its original location across from the lake.
1948-1958 - The old Town House was used as a recreation hall.
1955 - There was a Warrant Article to move the building to the school grounds.
1958 - There was a Warrant Article to see what action the Town would take regarding use, repair or sale of the Town House.
1959 - The Madison Historical Society began holding meetings in the old Town House and started a collection of archives.
A Historical Building Capital Reserve Fund was established (what year?), and by 2014 it had reached $75,565. With $55,000 raised by the Society and another $24,435 appropriated at Town Meeting in 2014
2015 - The Society was able to have a new foundation dug to replace the old one that was caving in by that point, and in
the building was moved over onto it, a distance of about 20'.
The Madison Historical Society is very grateful to the Town and its voters for their continued support!
1853 - There was a Warrant Article to see what measures the Town would take in regard to a Town House.
1854 - A Petitioned Article regarding the building of a Town House was passed over each year until 1884. Meetings were held at Jesse Ferren's house, the Madison House Hall, Jotham Harmon's Store, School House District 1, School House District 2, Alonzo Bickford's House, and the store of Langdon Atkinson.
1884 - A Town House was built by Nathaniel Nason at the cost of $800 for materials, labor and painting.
1886-1913 - Repairs were done each year, including underpinnings, painting and shingling.
1918 - Electricity was installed.
1920-1921 - An annex was added (kitchen) and two chemical toilets.
1923-1945 - Repairs were done off and on.
1945 - Town meetings were held in the Odd Fellows Hall (now the current Town Hall) in its original location across from the lake.
1948-1958 - The old Town House was used as a recreation hall.
1955 - There was a Warrant Article to move the building to the school grounds.
1958 - There was a Warrant Article to see what action the Town would take regarding use, repair or sale of the Town House.
1959 - The Madison Historical Society began holding meetings in the old Town House and started a collection of archives.
A Historical Building Capital Reserve Fund was established (what year?), and by 2014 it had reached $75,565. With $55,000 raised by the Society and another $24,435 appropriated at Town Meeting in 2014
2015 - The Society was able to have a new foundation dug to replace the old one that was caving in by that point, and in
the building was moved over onto it, a distance of about 20'.
The Madison Historical Society is very grateful to the Town and its voters for their continued support!