Let our history welcome you.

All aboard!

Tour Thurman: A Guided Jaunt into Homes and History

September 15, 2012

Sign up for The John Th
urman Historical Society's narrated ride into the past.
Reservations and prepayment required

Reserve your spot early by phoning 518-623-2692
Questions? Email Perky.

Town of Thurman

11:45 Optional luncheon at Thurman Town Hall, 311 Athol Road, Athol [$7]. Come early so you can browse through our copies of the Quarterly. Hearty old-fashioned potato and ham soup with biscuits, beverage and dessert will fortify you for the adventure ahead.
12:45 The trolley departs for the ride to yesteryear. Narrators will point out spots of interest while the bus makes its way to four sites where guests will get off for in-depth visits, learning about the places and the people who have inhabited them. [$13, includes tour book.] There will be a rest stop midway through the tour. Contact us to reserve your spot.
 3:45 Bus returns to town hall.
Let us know if you would have difficulty climbing onto the bus. Alternative transportation via private vehicle may be arranged.

Luncheon at Town Hall, 311 Athol Road, Athol

Enjoy old fashioned home-cooked luncheon of cream of potato with ham soup, biscuits, beverage, and dessert.


The Stephen Griffing Farm/Clarence Russell Boarding House

Built c. 1804 by Stephen Griffing, this farm has served many purposes over the years. This year we will hear more about the years when it was owned by Clarence Russell.


The Griffing Cemetery

Some of Thurman's early settlers were buried here, including the Griffings and Major Richardson Thurman, nephew of our town's founder, John Thurman.

The Buyce Farm

An old-fashioned family farm that remained un-modernized until the past few decades. You'll have a sense of what it was like to live back in the days before modern conveniences.

Le Chalet Francais

This property, too, has had many incarnations -- from family farmhouse to boardinghouse/guest ranch to four-star French restaurant. It then became a site rumored to teach survivialist skills, and, following that, site of an abbey. Now it is a private home, but hosts retreats for cancer patients.

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