GHS Hosts Discussion on How History Shapes the Character of a Town

Groton Historical Society (GHS) will host a panel discussion Tuesday, Sept. 30 at 7 p.m. at Legion Hall, 75 Hollis St., Groton, on: How Does History Shape the Character of Groton?- A Conversation about the Future of Our Town Seen Through the Lens of History. 

The panel of Groton community members includes Peter Benedict, Earl Carter, Al Collins, Katie Ferro, Kara Fossey, Tammie Reynolds, and Stuart Schulman, representing historians, preservationists, community activists, educators, with ages from teen to senior. Each panelist will present his or her view on ways that Groton's unique history is brought to bear on decisions that the town makes in the 21stcentury. 

After the panel discussion, moderator Al Collins will open up the conversation to audience members. Rebuilding Groton Inn, ongoing planning for Prescott School, and future of structures like Sacred Heart Church are some of the current issues that are influenced by the community's past.

The program is free and open to the public.

The topic is timely because two weeks later, Tuesday, Oct. 14 at 7 p.m. at Groton Public Library, Howard Mansfield, highly acclaimed local author of In the Memory House and The Same Ax, Twice: Restoration and Renewal in a Throwaway Age will present his ideas on how history shapes our approaches to community. The program is a partnership of GHS with GPL and the library has extra copies of his books. Check gpl.org/events for more information.

Both programs are open to the public. Call GHS at 978-448-0092 for more info, or check the website: GrotonHistoricalSociety.org.