Keep Homestead Museum

10/05/2026

Yesterday's Open House was among the most interesting we've had this year - at least in my opinion. As we all know, 2026 is the 250th anniversary of the American Revolution. It's been a very busy year for those who "teach" history in whatever form. Many such folks have been booked solidly for nearly every weekend this year. And, most are volunteers!

Our little band of reenactors from the 25th Continental Regiment set up a campsite with tent and canopy, and
Authentic-looking costumes & paraphernalia. Their spokesperson, Rob, proceeded to tell us lots of "stuff" (that's my inadequate attempt to summarize the nature of the info presented) about the 25th itself and the revolution more broadly.

There were good questions from the audience, a good discussion and a pleasant, low-key afternoon.
Thanks to the 25th for showing up and adding some color and substance to our understanding of some of the events of 1776!

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07/06/2026

Yesterday the weather was perfect, the ice cream yummy, the music homey and the gathering mellow.
A light, refreshing breeze persisted most of the afternoon.

We'd like to thank everyone who came for a visit and to enjoy the experience, maybe winding down from more hectic and demanding gatherings earlier in the weekend.

We'd also like to thank Frozen Red for the comfortable mood they set with their pleasant, sometimes nostalgic music. I felt like I was sitting on Grandpa's front porch and the neighbors had come for a visit and some tunes.
And, thanks to Westview for donating the delicious ice cream!
And, very importantly, we couldn't have done this without our volunteers; those present and those who could not be there yesterday.

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07/03/2026

Our volunteers frequently change the buttons on display. We have lots!
Recently, several folks went through one of several boxes of display cards from the "Sanderson Collection". These are buttons which Mira Keep did not go out and collect in her pursuit of button bliss.
Instead, these were the personal collection of Alice Sanderson, a close friend of Mira and founder of the Monson Button Club. They were donated to the museum many years ago.

Today, in the Sanderson case (in the mosaic room), we have on display an amazing variety of wooden buttons, Satsumas (clay or porcelain buttons with gold rims) from Japan, Rosette shanks from the 1800's and stunning, imaginative metal animal representations.

As you enter the cleverly named "piano room", you'll notice a decidedly patriotic inclination. Along with traditional red, white and blue themed pieces, we are proud to share some of our cards documenting various colonies on their way to statehood! These
cards were assembled by Mira herself, as witnessed by pages in her own handwriting.
We hope you enjoy these special displays.

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06/03/2026

The weather forecast for Sunday's “Music Through the Decades” program featuring career musician David Polansky is looking a bit "iffy".
Fear not! Should we have rain, we will listen to the music in the barn! Problem solved.
I think you're going to like this one! See you Sunday.

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05/06/2026

We'd like to give a huge "Thank You!!" to four volunteers who came to the museum yesterday (Tuesday) and worked hard to help us maintain and improve several areas of the Keep.

Rachel, Nicole, Amanda and Pete (from Liberty Mutual's community volunteer program) were just wonderful. They swept, dug, raked, stomped on knot-weed and installed some decorative stones. They also had lunch with several of our volunteers and were fun to chat with.

Pete, Amanda, Nicole and Rachel: You have our sincere thanks and admiration for jumping in to make the communities your company serves better places.

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04/14/2026

Re: The Open House last Sunday (April 12) "Indian Baskets of the Northeastern Woodlands"

Comments here are from Vicky Prior, one of our volunteers. Thanks, Vicky.

Lorraine German's talk "Indian Baskets of the Northeastern Woodlands" was very informative. Drawing on her extensive research, experience as an antique dealer, and as a collector, Lorraine presented a wonderful program. We learned not only about basket-making materials, dyes, and techniques of the different tribes, but also how the tribes moved from place to place. Her talk was interspersed with personal stories about the extensive collection of baskets she brought to share with the audience, which was also a lot of fun.