Crooker - New Hampshire Old Home Celebrations

Swanzey Center is represented by this float in the 1933 parade. All the activities took place on August 17 of the towns bicentennial year, including the mile-long parade that had 49 float entrees. Today Swanzey continues to celebrate the tradition with a full day of activities every year in July. (Authors collection.)

Everyone loves a parade, and in Swanzey in 1933, it was the visiting Keene band that led the way for the old home/bicentennial festivities. On horseback in front of the band is Sumner E. Brown of West Swanzey, who was designated chief marshall of the parade. Even during World War II, Swanzey held its old home day. In 1944, ceremonies were held on the lawn of the Mount Caesar Library. (Authors collection.)

One does not have to be old to enjoy old home celebrations, as evidenced by the youngsters crowded on board this 1933 Swanzey parade float. The group in this entry represented the local 4-H club, while the role of Uncle Sam was portrayed by Leland Bogue. In 1946, Swanzey Old Home Day welcomed home local World War II veterans with performances by the Keene American Legion Band. (Authors collection.)

Priscilla Clubs were social organizations for women that were originally formed in 1902. The clubs purpose was to honor the toil and perseverance of Americas early female settlers. That was the theme of this 1933 Swanzey Old Home Day float. Years earlier in 1919, Swanzey Old Home Day welcomed home World War I soldiers with music supplied by the Winchester Cornet Band. (Authors collection.)

Swanzey residents turned out in force every year to celebrate old home day. Floats such as this one honoring earlier times were joined by many marchers in the 1933 parade. According to the report of the New Hampshire Old Home Week Organization, the parade also consisted of camp boys, clowns, horribles, an old stage coach and horse drawn carriages of ancient vintage. (Authors collection.)

Recognition of citizens who make special contributions to their communities is a trademark of old home day holidays, and in 1933, Swanzey honored its District Nurse Association. Riding on the float that was awarded first place in the parade was nurse Helen Rogers of Swanzey. In 1919, residents got together at Richardsons Park and honored soldiers returning from World War I. (Authors collection.)

The theme of the float from Camp Jewell in the 1933 Swanzey Old Home Day parade was youthful activities. Established in 1901, Camp Jewell was a YMCA camp located on Swanzey Lake. The camp operated there until the 1950s when it moved to Colebrook, Connecticut, where it is still in existence today. (Authors collection.)

Communities throughout New Hampshire continue to use their old home celebrations to recognize and honor native residents. Seen here at Wiltons 1981 old home days celebration, longtime community leader and schoolteacher Florence Rideout is flanked by one of her former pupils and his wife. William French Smith was born in Wilton in 1917 and went on to become the nations 74th attorney general under Pres. Ronald Regan. He took time out from his duties to come home for a weekend to meet many old friends and neighbors. (Authors collection.)

In 1913, Fitzwilliam held a large old home day celebration on the weekend of August 18 and 19. This copy of the town wide invitation includes a poem referring to the latch string, which was a term used often when speaking about old home celebrations. To find the latch string out meant to meet with welcome and hospitality for returning sons and daughters. (Courtesy of Fitzwilliam Historical Society.)