Click on images to enlarge.
John Emin, Jr., the driving force behind the acquisition of the Smith-Appleby House.
John Emin Jr., and Ruth Lebeck.
Cutting the ribbon and entering the “Keeping Room”.
Smith-Appleby House when acquired by the historical society – 1974
1974
The barn as it looked in 1974.
Moving The Smithfield Railroad Station – February 2, 1975
The Smithfield Station was located on Brayton Avenue just in the from the intersection of Farnum Pike, (Rt. 104). It was one of four stations in Smithfield that were built in the 1870s as part of the Providence & Springfield Railroad. Passenger service to Smithfield ended in 1931, and the station fell into disrepair. In February 2, 1975, members of the Historical Society of Smithfield brought the old station to the Smith-Appleby House. There it sat for almost five years before being taken to the Davies Technical School in Lincoln where it underwent restoration. It was then brought back to the Smith-Appleby House and placed on a granite foundation where it sits today on permanent display.
To learn more click here: Smithfield’s Woonasquatucket Railroad and here: Woonasquatucket Railroad Newspaper Articles
Click on images to enlarge.
The train station after restoration.
Early Smith-Appleby House Interiors
Images courtesy of Cynthia Sheppard and Jean Hamon, descendants of Silas Appleby. These pictures were likely taken in the 1930s – 40s. Unfortunately, the items shown were sold at auction in the 1960s. The Historical Society of Smithfield did not obtain the property until 1976.
Click on images to enlarge.
Upstairs room.
Stencil Room – Bed Room
House Items.
Gold Parlor Cabinet.
Note the musket and powder horn.
China Cabinet In Best Parlor.
Best Parlor Showing China Cabinet.
Ornate stove in the Best Parlor.
Dear Friends and Fellow Members:
I have been known to “bury my lead” so for your awareness the Annual Membership Meeting is being held at the Smith-Appleby House on September 11 at 6:30 p.m. We hope you will be able to attend. As a gentle reminder, your membership dues must be current in order to vote.
Water. A missionary friend once told me the story of being in Africa, stranded by a disabled vehicle, and needing water for his wife and small child. He told of his efforts to make a native woman understand their need, and the gratitude he felt for the relief of good, cold, clear water. A well is a wonderful source of good cold water, and the water at the Smith-Appleby house has been known in the past to be exceptionally good. At the museum this summer we were rather blessed to discover the well pump had burnt out – but luckily with enough time to replace it before a wedding on the grounds. Doubly blessed, to have the water of Georgiaville Pond restored to us. As some of you may know, the water level was dropped dramatically in October of last year, in order to repair the dam, and was only allowed to refill as of the third week of June. Sometime during the period when the water was at its lowest, a cleanup was undertaken to remove trash from the pond. Also during this time, an artist with rocks created several rock formations that now rise above the water – a perfect place for turtles to bask in the sun.
On August 14, we hosted a Woonasquatucket River Watershed Council paddle on the pond, another reason it is nice to have the water back!
On August 17, the volunteers and children made tops for a Rhody Ramble, and managed to have a watermelon seed spitting contest, without the benefit of finding ANY watermelons that still have seeds. You must attend the membership meeting to learn how this was accomplished. Many thanks to all of the volunteers who helped with the Ramble.
We are still seeking funding for the beehive oven; send a check (specify “oven”), payable to the Historical Society of Smithfield, to the address in our letterhead. Your donation is tax deductible.
On October 19, at the Antique Show, the Historical Society will have a table so now is a good time to clean house and bring any glassware, ornaments, bits & bobs, gadgets, functional lamps etc. etc. Bring them along the day of, or drop them off before October 19, and we will sell the donated items to raise funds. I have three boxes already! Less clutter at your house means less dusting!
On November 15, our Colonial Dinner is themed “A Colonial Dinner in New England.” This year we will only be hosting the Colonial Dinner one evening, to reduce the general stress and work load of doing two 4-course meals for 50 people back to back. We would be grateful for extra hands to clean and set up the tables.
On December 7, our Christmas Open House will, as ever require a bunch of cookies, so if you can bake a few dozen (or so!) for us, we would be grateful!
Lastly, December 13 is our members Christmas party.
Please join us on September 11, 2014, for our second Membership Meeting of the Fiscal Year.
Warmest wishes,
Maggie Botelho,
Program Director
Take a video tour of the Smith-Appleby House Museum with CW News Now’s Kelly Dwyer!
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