http://springfieldartandhistoricalsociety.blogspot.com/2013/10/sahs-authors-forge-new-book.html
SAHS Authors Forge New Book! Forget swag; for many in 1880s Springfield, Vermont, it was all about the snath. Snaths, or scythe handles, and the fittings that joined those handles to the cutting head were one of the many products produced at the Springfield foundry, the subject of a new book published by the Springfield Art and Historical Society. "A History of the Foundry in Springfield, Vermont" by longtime SAHS board members Alain E. Fusonie and Donna Jean Fusonie combines historical research, period photos, catalogue reproductions and Vermont gumption into a story like exploration of those the authors call "The Entrepreneurs and the Workers of the Soot." This well researched and documented book provides a picture of the development of the foundry businesses in Springfield, Vermont, and there eventual long-term relationship to the local machine tool industries. On sale now at the Miller Art Center; available soon for online purchase. For more information, including bulk retail pricing, call board member Ken Stringham at 802-885-5265. Stop by our booth at the Vermont Apple Festival this Saturday. Meet Alain E. Fusonie, author of "A History of the Foundry in Springfield, Vermont" and purchase a signed copy! The Springfield Art and Historical Society will be open for one more day, Saturday October 12th from 11:00am to 3:00pm. This will be the LAST opportunity to view our 2013 historical exhibit, "Returning Fire! - The 150th Anniversary of Springfield, Vermont in the Civil War." After Saturday we will be closed for the season. Our annual membership potluck dinner and meeting TBA soon.
Outstanding subject for anyone old enough to recall seeing the glorious smoke and sparks shoot from the foundry as prosperity was being cast into the community. Surely to be my preferred Christmas offering this season.
ReplyDeleteAs interesting as this will read, there is desperate need for a follow up book. A novel detailing the demise of what was once the highest standard of living and best economy in all of Vermont and much of bordering New Hampshire. How over 100 years of engineering genius and generations of highly skilled machinists could be negated so effectively.
Critical that the players in this tragedy while still available to lend a first hand account be allowed to bear witness. How greedy unions hell bent on reaping absurd benefits were accommodated by an equally culpable management that agreed to suicidal terms. How as technology leap frogged in the '80s & '90s, competitive companies cherry picked the best and brightest from Springfield's shops, allowing incompetent underlings to fill their roles. Would make a very interesting read.
"Outstanding subject for anyone old enough to recall seeing the glorious smoke and sparks shoot from the foundry as prosperity was being cast into the community."
DeleteStand-by.......you're about to see a replay. Just look north!
Don't forget the creation of the Vermont sales tax, which over the same period as the demise of the shops eroded the tax base by transferring retail establishments to the nearest town across the river.
ReplyDeleteAnd of course the hostile business climate in VT which continues to provoke established Vermont companies to pick up and move to the Granite State.
Perfectly said Jean!
DeleteLooking forward to the smokestack(s) in North Springfield AND the smoke coming out Jean's ears!
ReplyDelete