Author: Museum Archives

Jaffrey Recorder, Thursday, June 23, 1965.

The Rindge clock celebrated its 70th birthday Tuesday. In the clock tower, written in pencil on the wood guides for the weights are the following notations:

“Started, Saturday, June 22, 1895–2:15 p.m.–E. H. Eldridge. GWS Platts, Rindge, N. H., Boss. Calvin Allen, Charles F. Platts, Frank F. Wetherbee, selectmen 1895.”

It is believed that E. H. Eldridge was a representative of the Howard Clock Company. George W. S. Platts, then about 15 years old, was a son of Charles F. Platts, selectman.

Before the clock was installed, the bell was rung by hand several times a day including the 9 p.m. curfew.

The clock was purchased with the Otis Hubbard Estate legacy of $600 for a town clock given in 1895 through Herbert E. Wetherbee, administrator.
The men in charge of the clock over the years included Mr. Allen, Charles F. Platts, Henry M. B. Stearns, Frederick F. Barret, Charles L. Baldwin and Roland C. Goddard, Sr, for about 27 years until his illness in December 1963 caused his son, Roland C. Goddard, Jr., to assume the duty of winding the clock once a week.

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Holding on to Tradition

In Rindge, memories of past events have a way of popping up to be relived for new generations of citizens. One of those memories is the time worn Town Scale or Hay Scale as it is commonly known, located along Main Street by the Town Common. 

In times past, there have been other scales in Rindge. One was located in East Rindge near Mechanics Hall and the oldest, going back perhaps for a hundred years, was situated near the Rindge Hotel which burned down in 1902. A private set of scales in West Rindge was owned and operated by Seth Cleaves. Unfortunately, no trade of these scales now exists and all that remains of their passing are faded pictures and memories gleaned from oral histories.

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The second summer camp in New Hampshire, and perhaps the entire country, opened in Rindge on the shores of Lake Monomonac in 1885. Began by seminary students at Harvard University, it was called Camp Harvard. The following article was written by one of the campers at Camp Harvard, and was originally published in St. Nicholas Vol XIII. No. 8 June 1886, an Illustrated Magazine for Young Folks.

A BOYS’ CAMP

BY ONE OF THE CAMPERS.


“Under the greenwood tree,
Who loves to lie with me,
And tune his merry note
Unto the sweet bird’s throat;
Who doth ambition shun,
And loves to live in the sun,
Seeking the food he eats,
And pleased with what he gets,–
Come hither, come hither, come hither,
Here shall he see
No enemy.”–

These lines from Shakspere’s “As You Like It” came to me again and again as Papa finished the reading of a circular which a friend had handed him.

“Camp Harvard,” so the circular declared, “is located on the shore of one of New Hampshire’s most picturesque lakes, about equidistant from Winchendon, Mass., and Rindge, N. H. The design of the camp is to furnish boys with a rational and healthy outdoor life during the summer months, where, under competent care and supervision, they can learn to swim, row, fish, do some tramping and mountain-climbing, and engage in other manly sports; form and cultivate good habits, and build up their bodily strength. The cabins are of wood, roofed, floored, commodious, and weatherproof. Each member has a cot. The best of wholesome food is provided.”

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