An Online puzzle for today and a letter from the past.
Both are interesting although one might be a little puzzling at first
Good Morning Norwich,
I am sharing with you two interesting bits of information that I received from the Norwich Historical Society in case you missed them. The first is an online jigsaw puzzle that appeared in today’s listserv. The puzzle should keep you busy for a while but I am sure it won’t be puzzling in the end. The article is a letter from the past that was written to a local family and is part of a series that the Norwich Historical Society is currently doing. Enjoy both and have a wonderful day.
15. Online History Jigsaw Puzzle of Norwich
From: Sarah Rooker <sarah@norwichhistory.org>
Date: Sat, 30 Mar 2024 12:39:00 -0400
As I was stopped in construction traffic on Ledyard Bridge this week, I was
reminded of an old construction photo in the Historical Society collection.
I uploaded it to a jigsaw puzzle maker --have fun. Go to this link to try
out the puzzle: https://jigex.com/NzP73 (it's a legit link).
This is a description of the photograph: In 1935 a new bridge to Hanover,
the Ledyard bridge, was being constructed. The temporary bridge was a pile
bridge about 15 feet above the water. The spring high water took out about
75 feet of the bridge and they stretched a wire rope sidewalk over that gap
for pedestrians. Norwich resident, Henry Barstow, recalled: "I thought it
rather brave to walk over the deep river waters. I hung onto the wire rope
as I walked across."
--
Sarah Rooker, Director
Norwich Historical Society
277 Main Street / P.O. Box 1680
Norwich, VT 05055
802-649-0124
www.norwichhistory.org
A letter to Dorothy Olds's Parents
Saturday
Dear Mother and Dad,
If I am correct you two are about to celebrate 24 years of wedded bliss. You better go to the fair and have one good time & one for me.
Right now it is only quarter of ten and I have my work most done for the day. We have had personal inspection of hair, shoes and dress and barracks inspection. We all take an awful sweat when they inspect the barracks. There were three Lts., a Sgt. and a private. After that we had a head inspection.
We had to stay a few minutes ago and go to the Supply Room. They issued us our Garrison Caps and we are all pretty tickled as we had been told we wouldn't get them until we were assigned to our Post. As it is now we have to wait for orders to wear them. We are all crazy about them. They are just about like the boys overseas caps.
We are supposed to be free until we eat. About 1:15 we go for our shot. My vaccination didn't take so I guess that I am immune. Hope I don't have to take it over.
After we come back from our shots we are free to do as we please except report to mess. Time is moving right along.....
Listen to the letter narration here
Dorothy left her uniform to the Norwich Historical Society. This is the garrison cap that she was so excited and proud to receive.
“You ought to see our cotton hose, they are the darkest, brownest, heaviest stockings you ever saw. We have to wear these plus wool socks plus the 'Little Abners' high ankle shoes. Don’t laugh, ‘tisn’t funny”
For everyday clothes Dorothy wore brown and white striped seersucker dresses with bloomers to match, cotton hose, socks, field shoes and fatigue hat. They weren't allowed to go out of the barracks without that hat except for fire drills.
Dear Mother and Dad, Thursday
We are all feeling happy tonight as we are allowed to wear our garrison caps off duty. I wore mine up to the PX for the first time tonight. I had a letter from Cpl. Baclam tonight. Gee I think that is swell. A lot of the kids have gone out and three from upstairs are going around short-sheeting the beds.
Dot's dog tags were issued after the first couple of weeks. They had to be handed back twice: once to record immunizations and again to record Dot's blood type.
Stay tuned for more next week!
Thanks to NHS volunteer Nancy Morley for her research and writing.
Thanks to Jenny Davis, HHS Class of 24 for her narration
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