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'Sconset, the popularized version of its official name Siasconset, prides itself on preserving the charm and rich, historical character of the quaint, little village in the southeastern corner of Nantucket Island. Acclaimed as one of America's first summer vacation retreats, 'Sconset is cherished for its rose-covered cottages, lush hydrangeas, quiet paths and lanes, three miles of soft-sand beach, its iconic Sankaty Head Lighthouse, and a host of seasonal amenities. Siasconset is a Wampanoag Algonquian word meaning "place of great bones." Seven miles from bustling Nantucket town, 'Sconset was a remote fishing station of the Wampanoag when they first met with Europeans in 1659. Today, 'Sconseters embrace a strong sense of community with more than 2,000 summer residents but only about 200 hardy souls living there year-round.

Settled not long after the Massachusetts Bay Colony and Plymouth, Europeans were living in Northampton, Massachusetts, by 1653. Throughout the early years, fire was a constant threat. And not long after the first fires destroyed buildings constructed of thatched roofs and wooden chimneys, townspeople organized a fire department. Although not officially established until 1857 after a spate of arson fires throughout the 1840s, the earliest fire protection equipment was purchased in 1792, comprised of buckets and hooks and ladders that were grabbed by anyone in town available to assist within earshot of the dreaded cry of "fire." By 1870, the Northampton Fire Department was comprised of four companies located in downtown, Florence, Bay State, and Leeds, each with hose wagons and hand tubs pulled by men before they were replaced by horse-drawn steam-powered engines and then motorized apparatus. Today, Northampton Fire Rescue responds to more than 3,000 calls each year, providing a variety of emergency services to the people of Northampton.

The House of the Seven Gables is an American icon. It is one of the nation's oldest homes and one of its first historic house museums.

Built in 1668, it is a unique and well-restored first period house displaying many preserved 17th- and 18th-century architectural features. Three generations of the seafaring Turner family lived in the home before the American Revolution. In the 19th century, the author Nathaniel Hawthorne was hosted in the house by his cousin, and the setting encouraged his literary genius. After this famous association, the house attracted tourists even before it opened to the public when the artistic Upton family called the mansion home. In 1910, Caroline Emmerton, an enterprising philanthropist, opened the home to raise money to help local immigrants. She restored the structure and brought other historic houses from Salem to the property.

Here in this distinctive New England town, Main Street is the place to meet your neighbors, get a coffee, do your shopping, watch a parade, attend a concert, worship, vote or volunteer. And behind the familiar buildings is a colorful history. There's the humorist who organized his neighbors to buy land and build a town hall that later became the Katharine Hepburn Cultural Arts Center. The story of how the Monkey Farm got its name. The nighttime parade that draws thousands. And the heartwarming account of the shopkeeper who sent penny candy to students with good grades. Author Tedd Levy reveals the unique buildings, events, people and heritage of this distinctive thoroughfare.

Waterbury is known as both a beautiful vacation spot and a great place to live. Since 2000, this historic town has experienced unique challenges, all of which have been met by a sense of resiliency and determination. Devastated from Tropical Storm Irene in 2011, Waterbury residents rallied together to rebuild their town and the local economy. Part of this revitalization included Waterbury emerging as a leader in the farm-to-table and craft beer movements, as well as becoming a top tourist destination. Told by members of the community in their own words, this collection of stories, gathered by the Waterbury Historical Society, captures the essence of Waterbury's community and illustrates its ability to persist and celebrate in the face of adversity.

Discover the history of Rangeley through historic photographs and how the town continues to draw thousands of visitors annually.

Rangeley, Maine, was settled in 1817 when Luther Hoar brought his family from Madrid to a log cabin he had built on the shore of Rangeley Lake. Several others families soon arrived, cleared land, and began farming. It was a small farming community only until the 1850s though. Lumber barons had arrived in the late 1840s, built dams, and started logging the vast timberlands. Soon after, fishermen from Boston, Philadelphia, New York, and Washington arrived to fish the multitude of lakes, ponds, and streams. By 1900, Rangeley was a bustling town with several hotels and two railroad lines. The big hotel era ended after World War II, and secondary residences began to dominate the scene.

Gary Priest has been recording the history of the Rangeley region for over 25 years. He has served on the board of directors of the Rangeley Lakes Region Historical Society (RLRHS) since 1999 and is currently its treasurer. This is his fifth book on Rangeley's history. His other works include History of Rangeley Hotels & Camps, Mingo Springs Hotel: The Early Days, The Gilded Age of Rangeley Maine, and Rangeley through Time.

Officially incorporated as a town in 1855, Bethel's recorded history stretches back to its earliest settlement as part of Danbury in 1684. Hat manufacturing represented its premier industry for nearly two centuries, and the ever-changing number of shops and factories employed most of the area's populace. Roughly equidistant from New York City and Hartford and located along the Metro-North Railroad line and US Interstate 84, its convenient access, lively downtown, and modern educational park have attracted continued development. Growing from a population of 1,711 people in 1860 to one of 20,358 in 2020, Bethel has undergone tremendous change and yet still retains much of its small-town New England appeal.

Many know Rocky Hill as the home of the oldest operating ferry in the country and its renowned Dinosaur State Park. However, there is a lot more history that is seldom seen. Abigail (Smith) Grimes was the imposing matriarch who laid the foundation for the town. Elsie Rhodes was a hero in two wars, although her name today is only barely visible on a memorial. Eli Rodman was an African American man who served valiantly in the Civil War, although his surviving daughters were nearly cheated out of his estate. Even a bit of whimsy, like the story of Hayes Farm's hairless cows, reflects the hardworking agrarian roots of the local community. Join author and Town Historian Robert Herron as he uncovers the forgotten stories and personalities that bring this unique town's history into focus.

Nantucket is known for its beautiful beaches, rich history, and swanky social scene. Now, you can uncover its shadowy supernatural side in this new addition to the Haunted America Series, based in part on The Haunting of Cape Cod and the Islands. Explore the "faraway land" and meet its ghostly residents while you unearth stories of shipwrecks, sailors, and legendary whalers.

The ultimate office, man-cave or fan-cave decoration for the Boston sports fan, this full-color matted poster print features the jerseys of five Boston sports legends - Boston Red Sox legend Ted Williams #9, the great Larry Bird #33 of the Boston Celtics, iconic Boston Bruins player Bobby Orr #4 and the winningest Super Bowl Quarterback of all-time, Tom Brady #12 of the New England Patriots. The poster art is from "B is for Boston," the beloved alphabet book that features the the things that make Boston so special, including the most iconic Boston players. This bold, graphic print is printed on high-quality paper and is ready for framing. This print makes the perfect gift for fans of Boston sports.

Like many New England mill towns, Beacon Falls has a history that goes back to the founding of this country. It was called "Brigadoon" by a former state senator, and its past is tied to the invention of vulcanized rubber by Charles Goodyear and the manufacture of woolen shawls for Union troops during the Civil War. Its early Native American roots tell the story of Tobe, a Narragansett Indian who owned most of the western portion of land that became the town in 1871. High Rock Grove brought ten thousand visitors each summer to enjoy the skating rink, band concerts and acclaimed scenic vistas of Long Island Sound. Local author and municipal historian Michael Krenesky reveals some of the fascinating stories behind this jewel of the Naugatuck Valley.

Join author Russell C. Shaddox as he tells the history of East Haddam in stunning images.

Perched along the Connecticut River, much of East Haddam sits on land originally purchased from Native Americans in 1662 for 30 coats (about $100). From that modest beginning sprang a town whose residents became famous patriots, scholars, and explorers. Driven by industries common to 1700s river towns - lumber, agriculture, and shipbuilding - East Haddam spent the 19th century transforming into one of the area's largest manufacturers of cotton twine, netting, and fabric. Prosperity brought an influx of immigrants. As the 1900s dawned, many of the mills shuttered due to faltering demand, and the town turned to its natural beauty to attract a growing leisure class. Resorts of all varieties popped up in town, changing East Haddam from the "Twine Capital of America" to the "Catskills of Connecticut." The town was home to many prominent residents, including a governor, business magnates, fine artists, scholars, and popular stage actor William Gillette, who helped shape the iconic image of Sherlock Holmes. With the resorts in turn seeing a decline in the late 20th century, the town faced another wave of change. Still, with a deep history and a varied beauty that includes stunning forest, hilltop, and river views, East Haddam continues to captivate.

Vermont is known as a center of contemporary craft food and beverage production, and the distilled spirits industry is no exception. From a handful of ambitious entrepreneurs a decade ago, the state now boasts more than fifteen distilleries and growing. But getting a product from concept to glass involves more than just trial and error. The ingredients, production processes and marketing techniques are as varied as the distilleries themselves. From SILO Distillery in Windsor to Stonecutter Spirits in Middlebury, each producer reveals its stories as it recounts the trials and tribulations of distilling in the Green Mountain State. Join author and distiller Chris Maggiolo as he reveals the unique and complex journey of taking a product idea to market in a state known for its innovation.