100th Annual Old Home Day
On Sunday August 4th, the Braintree Historical Society will celebrate the 100th anniversary of the annual Old Home Day gathering at the historic Braintree Hill Meetinghouse.
Braintree Bluegrass Brunch
A Summer of Bluegrass Brunches on Braintree Hill
Under the coordinated efforts of three local non-profits, bluegrass music will once again ring from atop Braintree Hill this summer. This free summer concert series brings both up-and-coming and well established local and regional musical acts to the grounds of the historic 1845 Braintree Hill Meetinghouse. In 2023, event founder Zac Freeman handed the reins of the popular event over to Braintree Historical Society, the Chandler Center of the Arts and Ridgeline Outdoor Collective who were excited to carry on the tradition.
Today, those organizations are pleased to announce that the Braintree Bluegrass Brunches are set to roll out, rain or shine, on the last Sundays in June, July and August with afternoons full of music, bike rides, art, food & beverages, all amidst the spectacular surroundings of the Braintree Hill Meetinghouse. The days will begin with a group big ride organized and led by the Ridgeline Outdoor Collective at 10 am. The music will start at noon and the Braintree Historical Society Museum, located on the ground floor of the Meetinghouse, will be open throughout the day. Food and beverage vendors will be onsite along with select craft vendors. The local nonprofit, The Arts Bus will join for the August event with kids activities out of their iconic colorful mobile classroom.
The line-up for the series begins June 30th with local favorite Bow Thayer with Krishna Guthrie, and Connecticut’s Audrey Mae. July 28th’s bill features Timbermash (Justin Park, Mark Burds, Jenn Friese) and Marc Shapiro and Billy Corbin. Concluding the series, August 25th will feature Hot Pickin’ Party (Doug Perkins, Adam Frehm and Mike Santosusso) and Beecharmer with Jakob Breitbach and Jes Raymond.
The concert series is not ticketed but pay-what-you-can donations will be accepted both before and during the events. Proceeds after expenses will be split between the three organizations to help them carry-out their missions. The address of the Meetinghouse is 2756 Braintree Hill Road, Braintree VT 05060.
For more information about this event, please contact :
Chandler Director: Chloe Powell: director@chandler-arts.org
For info regarding the bike ride, contact Morgan Easton: Morganic802@gmail.com
Braintree History Ride & Cemetery Tour
Join the Historical Society for a leisurely bike ride along Braintree Hill Road or a meander through the Braintree Hill Cemetery. This event is a fundraiser for the Slate Roof Restoration at Meetinghouse. Coffee from Carrier Roasting and pastries from Windy Lane Bakehouse.
Braintree Bluegrass Brunch
On Sunday, August 27th, the third and final Braintree Bluegrass Brunch of the season will take place at the Braintree Hill Meetinghouse. Capping a fine summer of traditional music in a scenic setting, the season closer will feature Ida Mae Specker & The Heavy Nettles and Audrey Mae. This event is hosted collaboratively by three local non-profit organizations; Chandler Center for the Arts, Ridgeline Outdoor Collective, and the Braintree Historical Society.
The Braintree Bluegrass Brunch was established in 2018 by Braintree resident Zac Freeman, motivated by his love of music, enjoyment of the local community, and appreciation for the amazing setting of the Braintree Hill Meetinghouse. This year, Freeman handed off planning to the three organizations so that this popular event may continue more sustainably. While the event is open to the public and there is no admission fee, the organizers encourage people to give to support the Bluegrass Brunch series as well as the projects of each individual organization. Braintree Historical Society is currently raising funds to support the restoration of the 1845 Meetinghouse’s slate roof. Chandler Center for the Arts, under its new Executive Director Chloe Powell, is funding an expanded budget for community and youth programs, and The Ridgeline Outdoor Collective maintains a network of multi-use trails as well as running youth biking education programming. With recent floods, ROC has the added challenge of repairing the extensive trail system established by the organization.
The event begins with a group mountain bike ride organized and led by the Ridgeline Outdoor Collective taking off from the Meetinghouse at 10:00 am. Gates open at 11:00, when vendors will have food and drink available, and the music starts at noon. Food vendors will include Union Brook Farm, Moon & Stars Arepas Cart, ice cream from Kiss the Cow and beer from Bent Hill Brewery. The Braintree Historical Society Museum will be open throughout the event. The Arts Bus will on site as well with arts activities for the whole family!
The address of the Meetinghouse is 2756 Braintree Hill Road. Advance donations can be made at chandler-arts.org.
Old Home Day
The Braintree Historical Society will be welcoming its members and the general public to the annual Old Home Day on Sunday August 6. The traditional gathering at the Braintree Hill Meetinghouse will begin with a hymn sing at 1:30pm followed by an ecumenical church service at 2:00pm led by Bethany Church minister, Reverend Kimberly S. McKerley. The service will also include a special musical presentation of saxophone selections by local youth musician Beckett Jassen. Refreshments will be served following the service in the Historical Society Museum.
Old Home Day has been a fixture at the Braintree Hill Meetinghouse since the early 1900’s and continues to this day in much the same manner. It’s a day to gather together, reflect on our history and our place in the world and catch up with friends and neighbors old and new. It’s also a great opportunity to take in the Braintree Historical Society’s excellent museum housed in the Meetinghouse basement. The collection is made up almost entirely of items with direct links to Braintree’s nearly 250 year history.
Braintree Bluegrass Brunch
The second Braintree Bluegrass Brunch of the summer is this Sunday, July 30.
Braintree Bluegrass Brunch
A vibrant community gathering of friends, family, and neighbors at the Braintree Hill Meetinghouse.
Community Cider Pressing & Potluck
Bring your own apples and a dish to share at the first annual Community Cider Pressing & Potluck at the Braintree Hill Meetinghouse. The event is free and open to all.