Croydon
Prominent lawyer Samuel Morse and his wife, Chloe — portrayed by re-enactors, of course — will be joined by school teacher Sadie Muzzey and politician Ruel Durkee and his wife, Polly.
“He was a mover and shaker at the time, both in Concord and the area,” said Jane Dearden, president of the historical society who will be portraying Polly Durkee.
Durkee inspired the main character in author Winston Churchill’s 1906 best-selling novel Coniston, which is set in a town based on Croydon.
At the town’s 250th anniversary celebration a few years ago, re-enactors also were present and they’re excited to make a return appearance.
“We’re well-practiced this time around,” Dearden said.
Samuel Morse graduated from Dartmouth College in 1811 and then studied law in Claremont before opening a law practice in Croydon in 1815.
“We’re hoping that Sam will be holding a session of court,” Dearden said, adding that the case featured on Saturday likely would involve an individual who couldn’t pay a debt.
The town purchased the Morses’ historic Colonial-style home in 2006 to use as the museum. A particular feature of the home is its fireplaces.
“There’s three fireplaces downstairs that we’ll have going,” Dearden said. Someone also will be playing the home’s reed organ. “We fully intend to be good stewards of the building for a very long time.”
Editor’s note: For more information about the open house, contact Dearden at 603-863-5353. Liz Sauchelli can be reached at 603-727-3221.
