A Memorial Day Memory and Thank You!

Thank You... to all who attended and all who helped make Memorial Day Monday a success. 

Thanks to  Jim Monahan for use of the Auction Barn property and for going above and beyond getting his 1790's Revolutionary War Fly up to give us shade. Thanks to Pam Wexler for showing up early to help with setup and with donuts, Carolyn Tine... plus our usual crew... Jen Caloia, Barb Keough, and Michele Kelly...and anyone I forgot.

A great thank you to Dianne Morris Chilson and Doug Chilson who set up a display in the little Mini Museum next to the old one. Doug provided a glimpse into area World War II veterans, which included his father and Viet Nam...himself.  Medals and patches however cannot tell the whole story of their sacrifice.

Memorial Day in Old Eaton

The can drive was a hit and you still have a few days before they are counted... so drop any you have off at Michele's place on Mill Street or my house on Brooklyn Street.  The Cats and Museum would thank you if they could.. thank you! 

The day brought out a number of the original members of founding families which in essence is what makes a history day or old home day an important part of the community.  Our roots seem unimportant until we have children or grand children and then take the time to look back... wondering about our ancestors and how we came to be!

Eaton's history is fun to learn about for many reasons and learning about history is a great way to prove that everything is a circle and learning history gives you a glimpse into the future as well,,, it acts a like warning device. I was reminded of an old story about Eaton.  The story actually revolves around the house next to the museum on River Road, the road that was once called Water Street. The building is one of the oldest in town and was owned during the period before and after the Civil War by the Leach family. It is "Henry" I believe who served in the Confederate Army while the rest of the town for the most part was pro North.

Small towns in those days stuck together in a more cohesive way than today I guess... and after the War (Civil War) had passed, it is said that on all holidays and during parades old Mr. Leach would don his Confederate uniform and march in the parade with the many members of the GAR.  Both sides it is noted paraded up and down the streets with pride.  As a matter of fact... it wrote Mr. Leach into history and he has become part of the "Tales told of Old Eaton"... ones that you can enjoy.

Curiously, when redoing the museum we held a very large opening day celebration... and Chris Staudt with whom I bought the building and refurbished it to become  the museum for Eaton... invited friends and family down for the occasion. 

Chris' dad came down and toured...after the crowd had gone home and as he was leaving, he looked up at the American flag flying over the door, he glanced across the yard to the Leach house and said... "You really need a Confederate Flg flying here also".  To this day I wonder if old  Mr. Leach was around giving us a hint of his past... could be I guess.... after all it was Memorial Day!

The concept of Eaton Day arose from Eaton's traditional 4th July Celebration which has been taken over by Hamilton today. In "the Old Days" it was a celebration of honoring the dead warriors, remembering the past and enjoying community, today Eaton's little history group has tried to keep that spirit alive.

The Museum will be open pn Father's Day from 11 until 1.