The Holliston Historical Society

            We are delighted to announce the establishments that will be participating in the 5th Annual A Taste of Holliston on April 22, 2012 during open-house hours from 1:00 – 4:00 pm: 45 Restaurant, Arcadian Farms, Bella Costa, Bertucci’s, Depot Package Store, Dosa Temple, Dunkin’ Donuts, The Fairview at Pinecrest, Franklin Café and Grill, Gaetano’s Bakery, Holliston Grill, Holliston Superette, J &  L Catering, Montgomery Bakery, Nello’s Café, Pejamajo’s Café, Perfect Pear Catering, Sherborn Inn, T. C. Scoops, and The Wine House.

            These 20 Holliston-area establishments -- caterers, restaurants and wine purveyors -- will offer tastings of a variety of foods and beverages including specialty cheeses and deli meats, hors d’oeuvres, wines and beers, salad, Italian pastas, Mediterranean-inspired food items, vegetarian Indian dishes, gourmet bakery breads and cakes, pina colada crepes, grapenut and bread puddings, donuts and muffins, ice cream, and more.

            This was a sold-out event last year and we expect the same this year, so get your tickets now! Tickets are $15 with advance purchase; no charge for children under age 5. Download a ticket application form from this website and mail with your check to the address on the form.

Ticket orders must be postmarked by April 16 and will be held at the “Will Call” ticket tent the day of the event.

            Tickets may also be purchased until end of business on Saturday, April 21 at Coffee Haven, Depot Package Store or Fiske’s.

            A limited number of tickets might be available at the door for $20.

Drive through the center of Holliston and you will see elegant old homes from several periods. Walk around downtown and you will see details of stained glass windows and outbuildings. Watch a slide show of the old houses of Holliston, and you will learn the history of those homes down through the years.

On March 14 at 7:30 p.m. you can see such a slide show at the Holliston Historical Society. We will begin with a show produced for Holliston Cable Access Television in 1991, narrated by Dorothy Rees. Some of the slides are historic photos converted to slides and others are photos taken during the mid 20th century by Fred Cole. Fred had stories to tell; Dorothy researched others, and Joanne Hulbert, Town Historian, will add some that she has uncovered.

Imagine the Littlefield Tavern with its moveable walls opened to make a ballroom. Learn about the Batchelder home—George Batchelder developed a cranberry variety named Holliston. Its root stock is stored at the Cranberry Station in Wareham to this day.  And see the Historical Society in its original location without porches.

If you live in an old house, you may learn something about your property. If you are just curious about these houses, like many of us are, please join us March 14. And bring a guest to introduce new people to the wealth of knowledge and the fun people that are part of the Historical Society.

There is no charge for this show, but we do ask for donations to help us preserve the historical collections (clothes, tools, photos, artifacts, letters, paintings and more) that we have of Holliston’s past.