Welcome to Oxford Historical Society
INTRODUCING THE OXFORD HISTORY CENTER
The Twitchell-Rowland Homestead Museum at 60 Towner Lane, Oxford plans to grow again. In 2006, members of the Oxford Historical Society saved the 1755 saltbox from demolition and moved it to its present location. In 2019, it was joined by the 1850 Munn Schoolhouse, presentlycompleting its restoration.
Now, the society hopes that a new construction will join the two existing buildings.
In the 1950s and 1960s when the Oxford Airport bought up the Christian Street farms that surrounded its proposed site, farmers auctioned off their equipment, hoping to recoup a few dollars of their investment. Items that were not sold were left abandoned as the families moved away. Neighbor Fred Rowland hated to see cider presses, chains, a homemade forge and other useful items go to waste and brought them home, storing them in his barn.
When the Twitchell-Rowland Homestead Museum was established, Fred’s plans grew. He envisioned adding a building to the museum campus dedicated to the farming machinery and tools he knew well and loved. Now his son, Charles Rowland, is working to make his father’s dream a reality.
A volunteer barn building committee and the Oxford Historical Society Executive Board are proposing a 30 by 40 by 12-foot metal-sided structure to be constructed behind the current museum. Known as the Oxford History Center, it will be located to allow for further expansion, with hopes of adding a climate-controlled office to house to society’s collection of historic town records and other fragile books and papers. The first phase of the barn will hold not only items Fred Rowland collected, but also the museum’s antique tools not on display due to lack of space. It will also provide a home for vintage farm equipment donated by local families wishing to share their treasured agricultural heritage.
The cost of the project is estimated to be $100,000 and the Historical Society has established a fund of $20,000, thanks to a generous bequest given specifically for that purpose. Now the committee and the society are exploring ways to raise additional money. Donations and practical help would be very welcome. For further information contact 203 577-3184. Plans for the barn and a model can be seen at the Twitchell-Rowland
Homestead. Call 203 888-0230 for an appointment.
Our Town’s History is Our Country’s History
Letters from relatives, a grandmother’s diary, photos and videos, and other material collected over the years provide vital and unique information about a life or the history of a family. These can be important to individuals. But they may also be important to our Oxford. Whether or not members of a local family attained a degree of fame, they have contributed to the heritage of a certain place and time.
The Oxford Historical Society collects archives of Oxford residents and organizations. The Society may agree to receive the actual documents and photos or the Society may borrow them to be copied and returned to the owners. When you donate or loan personal, family or organization papers to the Oxford Historical Society, they become a part of Oxford’s – and America’s – collective memory.
Persons with old photos or documents relating to the people of Oxford, are invited to call Historical Society historian Nancy Farnum (203-888-0230) to arrange a review of the material and determine how to preserve them for future generations.
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