The library will be open from 10-noon. We welcome those who need a quiet cool air conditioned space. We will also have craft supplies out and a jigsaw puzzle. Check out our books and magazines too.

Old Home Day Activities

Saturday, August 9

9 a.m. Bike Race and Nelson Marathon – both of which go up over Hardy Hill and come back up along the Harrisville Road.

9:30 – 11 a.m.
Games on the Common – tug of war, egg toss, three-legged race, and much more. Squeals of laughter, shouts of enthusiasm, cheers of support!

9 a.m. – noon 
The Friends of the Library Book Sale (Library lower level inside and outdoors.) Support the library and maintain your literacy!

10 a.m. – noon   Music (behind the Library / Town Hall)

• 10 a.m. Gordon Peery with Lisa Baglione, Bill Newton, and Jay Dunbar

• 11 a.m. Ethan, Rachel and  Grace – songs for the family.

10 a.m. – noon
Family Crafts at the Library

11 a.m.  The Old Library -Nelson In the Past
Display Handcrafts and artifacts that reflect our town’s history

12 (noon) Enjoy a chicken barbecue (provided by the Nelson Congregational Church) and listen to the Nelson Town Band on the Church lawn. $15 (to be confirmed).

12:45 p.m.
Official Welcome, awarding of prizes from the games.

1:15 (ish) p.m.

Old Home Day Speaker: Dr. Jay Dunbar is the founder and director of  The Magic Tortoise Taijiquan School in Chapel Hill, NC. He has presented courses or workshops, at many venues, including UNC-Chapel Hill, Duke University, Elon College, A Taste of China, the Kripalu Center for Yoga and Health, the N.Y. Open Center, The American Dance Festival, the Guang Ping Annual Conventions, and the Zhang San Feng Festival.

He also happens to be the great grandson of Simon Goodelle Griffin, who was born and raised in Nelson, and subsequently went off to become a prominent general in the Civil War. After the war he moved to Keene, and had a rich life contributing to many aspects of civil life. He wrote about the history of Nelson, and is quoted extensively in Parke Struthers’ History of Nelson. He is working on a biography of General Griffin, and looks forward to sharing his story and reconnecting to the general’s birthplace.

2 p.m.
The great water ball contest, on the Mackenzies’ lawn.

3 p.m.
Softball in the newly restored ballfield, behind the town barn, Old Stoddard Road. Game starts as kid-friendly, evolves to being more competitive.

3 p.m.
Shape Note Singing in the Town Hall.

7:30 p.m.
Nelson Old Home Day Contra Dance
The Monadnock Folklore Society runs this dance. Caller and musicians TBA. Everyone welcome – a great experience for families.