Aiden Dodge and Evelyn Fleming helped create the new scavenger hunt at the Bradford, Vt., Historical Society. (Photograph courtesy of Larry Coffin)
Aiden Dodge and Evelyn Fleming helped create the new scavenger hunt at the Bradford, Vt., Historical Society. (Photograph courtesy of Larry Coffin) Credit: Photograph courtesy of Larry Coffin

Bradford, Vt. — The top floor of the beautiful Bradford Academy building on North Main Street is home to the Bradford Historical Society and its extensive collection of town artifacts.

While the collection appeals to adults and children alike, the historical society is making an extra effort this summer to reach out to the region’s school-age residents by starting a scavenger hunt.

“It sort of gives you an introduction to the past,” said Larry Coffin, curator and a board member of the Bradford Historical Society.

While the scavenger hunt is directed at children in third grade and above, younger ones can complete it with help from adults. Those who complete it receive a prize.

The hunt has 17 questions. Among them are: “In the Word War I display, how many hats are displayed?”; “When did the Bradford telephone service convert to dial?”; and “Of all the toys displayed, which one do you think would be the most fun? Why?”

The toy display includes a Fisher Price school bus that belonged to Coffin’s daughters.

“They don’t like that it’s considered antique,” Coffin said with a chuckle.

And while Coffin created the questions, he credits two students with helping him to refine it.

“I helped (Coffin) with the questions, mostly, and getting ideas about what were the most interesting things in each room or section to make questions about,” said Evelyn Fleming, a 14-year-old Bradford resident who worked with Coffin along with her peer, Aiden Dodge.

When you walk into the Bradford Historical Society, it can be a little overwhelming. There’s so much to see and read, from Civil War tales to the 1810 globe that was made in town to vintage clothing. The scavenger hunt helps make all those displays more accessible.

“This will be a fun thing for them to do,” Coffin said. “We hope that as they go along, they’ll see things that they’re interested in and have questions about.”

And it comes kid-approved.

“I like the fact that the scavenger hunt makes it so kids who come to the historical museum have something to do,” Fleming said. “It makes the museum more interactive and interesting for younger people.”

Editor’s note: The Bradford Historical Society is located at 172 N. Main St. and is open 10 a.m.-noon on Fridays. For more information, call 802-222-4423. Liz Sauchelli can be reached at esauchelli@vnews.com or 603-727-3221.

Liz Sauchelli can be reached at esauchelli@vnews.com or 603-727-3221.