NEW VINEYARD – Items are being gathered by the New Vineyard Historical Society for its exhibit at Farmington Fair. The group will display artifacts in the small museum next to the Exhibition Hall.

Each year, a town is invited to share its history at the fair.

Several of the active 20 society members met Wednesday night to continue planning, said Carolee Merrill, the group’s treasurer.

The society has a room in the same building as the town office and library that is open from 1 to 3 p.m. Tuesdays from June to September.

Pictures and genealogical items as well as town reports from the 1800s are on display. The items for display at the fair are being gathered and borrowed from members and others, she said.

Some of the larger pieces include a display of Turner chairs, she said. New Vineyard resident Orrin S. Turner patented and manufactured the wooden self-adjusting back rocking chairs in the late 1890s. Several will be on display, including chairs for men, women and children. Turner traveled around the area by wagon selling his chairs, she said.

Manikins have also been gathered to exhibit some older clothing, including an 1875 wedding dress worn by Lucy Bixby, who married Turner. It was a double wedding with Bixby’s younger sister, Electa, marrying Charles A. Boston.

A sleigh handed down through Fred O. Smith’s family will be on display along with historical photographs and documents.

Arrowheads found on the island in Porter Lake will be included in the display. Jean Ferrari and Noel Jones are working on a history of Porter Lake, and the Porter Lake Association and will have some of its work displayed, she said.

Anyone with artifacts of significance to New Vineyard who would be willing to loan them to the society is asked to call 652-2254 or 652-2252.

The group also plans to have copies of Fred O. Smith’s second edition book on the town’s history available for sale.

This second edition contains photos from the town’s 2002 bicentennial celebration, she added.