Waterford-VT Historical Society

04/01/2025

We bid farewell to Willard Powers, who gave so much across his lifetime. This is the obituary and photo from The Caledonian-Record, with thanks.

Willard B. Powers

1925-2025

Willard B. Powers of Waterford, Vt., passed away on Wednesday, March 19, 2025 at the age of 99.

He was born to Glenn and Eva (Page) Powers, the fifth born of seven children. At an early age he was helping his dad milk the cows, gather the eggs and herd the sheep on the dairy farm he grew up on. He and his two brothers talked their dad into making maple syrup. He did, and it became a lifelong passion for all of them. Hunting and trapping were also a big part of his growing up years. He attended a one room schoolhouse a half mile from his home. Then he went to St. Johnsbury Trade School until WWII hit home and he had to quit school to work on the farm.

In 1946 he married Lina Bullock, also of Waterford. They had five children. In 1956 Willard and his brother Russell began farming together forming Powers Bros. In 1986 Lina passed away from cancer. He remarried in 1990 to Gwen Sidell of St. Johnsbury, Vt. She predeceased him in 2009.

All his life he was active in his local church, Union Baptist. He also enjoyed music and had a good tenor voice. He also played the harmonica and a mouth harp.

He was predeceased by two of his children: Rachel in 1952 and Larry in 2006. He is survived by a son Paul (Betty) Powers of St. Johnsbury, two daughters: Cynthia Davis of Waterford and Rebecca Powers of Phoenix, Az. Also, seven grandchildren and 16 great-grandchildren; one sister-in-law, Linda Bullock; many nieces and nephews.

A memorial service will be held on April 12, 2025, at 1 p.m. at the Union Baptist Church on Route 5 in Waterford, Vt.

Memorial contributions may be made to Union Baptist Church, 932 US Route 5, Waterford, Vt. 05819 or Caledonia Home Health and Hospice, 161 Sherman Drive, St. Johnsbury, Vt. 05819.

03/17/2025

It's St. Patrick's Day, so here's a refresher on Waterford's Irish heritage. Éire go brách (Ireland forever), in these green hills.

Research and history from Waterford, Vermont, with community input and event listings.

03/05/2025

Hearts ache with the passing of long-time Waterford resident Bill Willis, an endless giver to this town on many levels.

In Loving Memory of Bill Willis

03/04/2025

The Caledonian-Record provided a gracious article about Sheriff James Hemond, as Waterford lost this hard-working and focused resident. (Link to obituary in the comments below.)

ST. JOHNSBURY — Caledonia County is grieving the loss of Sheriff James Hemond who passed away at Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center after battling cancer. Hemond, who was commended for his

02/18/2025

Waterford Town Report for 2024 is now available in the Davies Memorial Library and Town Office Lobby!

02/06/2025

If you've almost forgotten summer -- here's a Waterford photo shared by Paul Chouinard. One resident identifies this: "It appears to be the old Daniels Farm before the barn was removed. It was the birthplace and farm of Vivian Davis." (Thank you!)

02/02/2025

Here's another great photo, thanks to Paul Chouinard, who labeled it Lower Waterford 1963.

01/22/2025

For the earliest years of Waterford, the town bore the name Littleton (Vt.). Check out these maps!

Research and history from Waterford, Vermont, with community input and event listings.

12/15/2024

Farewell to one of Waterford's most creative and hard-working entrepreneurs, Ken Aldrich. [This photo and the text were previously shown in The Caledonian-Record.]

Kenneth Neil Aldrich, 95, of Waterford, Vt., passed away surrounded by his family on Tuesday, November 26, 2024. Born in Whitefield, N.H., on June 1, 1929, the son of William Scott Aldrich and Nila Margaret (Smith) Aldrich.

On December 30, 1950, Ken married the love of his life, Henrietta Helen Noyes. Together they raised a family, and founded and managed a thriving business, Aldrich Formica Center. Ken taught Building Trades at Littleton High School and the Trade School in Saint Johnsbury prior to starting his own business. He was able to teach many students in the North Country to drive as a Driver’s Education Instructor.

Ken loved to travel, camp, and hike, visiting all 50 states and most of the National Parks. He loved building things to make life easier. He enjoyed playing cribbage, marbles, and cards and spending time with family. In 1984, Ken and Henrietta joined the Littleton Squares. For 32 years, they danced around the country building friendships and reaching the highest challenge square dance level.

Ken was always creating and finding ways to meet the needs of others. His love for woodworking became a mission to ensure that the church building was maintained. He was always repairing things and helping family and friends with projects to help make lives easier. Ken was the person everyone would go to for advice about starting a project from building a porch, to building cupboards and other projects for their houses as well as helping great-grandchildren with projects. No project was too big or small for him. He always worked hard and did these jobs with a smile.

Ken built many things but the most important thing that he built was his Legacy. He has been able to pass down his love of God and hard work ethic to his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. He has been a pillar of strength and resilience in all of our lives. He was able to lead us with patience and love that very few are capable of providing. He had a way of quietly supporting others to have their own thoughts and experiences. His strong, encouraging, and gracious love made him the leader and role model for many people.

Ken was predeceased by his wife Henrietta “Honey” Helen Aldrich, and one sister, Margaret Campbell. He is survived by his daughter Sharon Marie Bessette and her husband Ronald Bessette, daughter Carrie Ann Baron, son Gregory James Aldrich and his wife Shari Aldrich; nine grandchildren and 20 great grandchildren; Bryan Bessette, his wife Hannah Bessette and their children; Peter Baron; Penny Young, her husband Joshua Young and their children; Pamela Adams, her husband John Adams and their children; Jennifer Anti, her husband Thomas Anti and their children’ Nicholas Bessette, his wife Jennifer Bessette and their children; Ginger Montminy, her husband Kevin Montminy and their children; Daniel Baron and his child; Tiffany Lasnier, her husband Jonathan Lasnier and their children.

Services will be held privately. In lieu of flowers, you are invited to make a donation to Littleton Regional Healthcare, 600 Saint Johnsbury Rd, Littleton, NH 03561 https://littletonhealthcare.org/about-lrh/your-gift-matters/donate/ or Caledonia Home Health Care & Hospice, 161 Sherman Drive, St. Johnsbury, VT 05819 https://www.nchcvt.org/support/donate-today

To offer the family an online condolence, please visit www.rickerfh.com. Ricker Funeral Home & Cremation Care of Woodsville is assisting the family with arrangements.

09/21/2024

A lovely photo of the interior of the round barn at Waterford's West View Farm. https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=122245608092067695&set=gm.2381021338770527&idorvanity=978352322370776

Send a message to learn more

09/21/2024

Join us Wednesday, September 25, at 6:30 p.m. in the Davies Library as we continue to talk about the future of the WHS.

Up for discussion is what YOU would like to offer for a 2025 program.

To date, the only scheduled event is our annual business meeting on March 26, 2025.

New to the historical society? Want to know what kinds of programs we've done so far?

Check out the library's collection of modern Town Reports (big, white covers) on the library shelf in the Vermont section, and our annual contributions to those reports. (on LT in photo) Some of these programs can be offered again - by you!

Discover more of what we've done so far on our YouTube channel and here:
https://waterford-vt-history.blogspot.com/search?q=2024

Waterford has plenty of history left to discover and celebrate. Afterall, the WHS has only been around since 2015 as a 501 C3. In 2024, members numbered 28. We are a mix of newcomers, folks from away, and a couple of descendants, by blood & by marriage.

In short, WHS never has fit Vermont's traditional mix of legacy church members and residents whose ancestors settled here after the American Revolution.

All are invited to participate.

Are you a paid member? Did you attend one of our 2024 programs? Or, have an equivalent experience volunteering for another non-profit organization? An interest in history? These are the basic requirements for board consideration.

Those of us who are directors are increasingly stretched thin with other responsibilities; 2 of us work full-time. As a result of the August gathering, we are looking at a refresh of WHS By-Laws, including the number of directors.

Join us this coming Wednesday, September 25, at 6:30 p.m. in the Davies Library as we continue to talk about the future of the WHS.

Send a message to learn more

09/10/2024

This is a good time to plant something that will bring you flowers, while thinking of Rosalie Vear, a long-time Waterford resident whose passing was noted and mourned last week. Here is her photo -- look in the Comments below for her beautifully written obituary, and for links to more about her life here, including some of her writing.

08/28/2024

With sympathy for her family and friends, the Waterford Historical Society notes the passing of Lillian (Nutter) Willey. An interview with Mrs. Willey (by Donna Heath and Lynn Troy) can be found at the first URL here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3zC92B4a96Q
https://www.caledonialifeservices.com/obituaries/lillian-willey?fbclid=IwY2xjawE8bM5leHRuA2FlbQIxMAABHTxjCLEuBmLGMMhsjt2Bz--4wbpA4aZyfVRRPBmVNEsxllewnRUTiWT81w_aem_bi7z05WdJOSQEX5Zdg9o_g

View Lillian Willey's obituary, send flowers, find service dates, and sign the guestbook.

08/27/2024

The Waterford Historical Society extends its deep sympathy to Donna Rae Heath and other family members of Craig Brown. His enthusiasm and energetic pursuit of Waterford's history through its in-ground remains will be sorely missed.

Craig Brown, 72, of Waterford, Vt., passed away on Aug. 20, 2024 at Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center.

08/24/2024

Here is a set of treasures of Lower Waterford history and the Rabbit Hill Inn. Think of this as you get ready for the Aug. 28 meeting of Waterford Historical Society, pondering its path forward.

Research and history from Waterford, Vermont, with community input and event listings.

08/09/2024

Our April 2023 speaker on covered bridges, Kim Varney Chandler, sent us this blog link to her follow-up research on Charles Richardson of Upper Waterford, and we're grateful for this rediscovered chapter of our town's history early history:

Captain Charles Richardson’s story in America begins with the arrival of Thomas Richardson (1608-1651) in the Massachusetts Bay Colony. Along with his two brothers, Ezekiel (1602-1647) and Samuel (1604-1657), and his wife, Mary Baldwin (1612-1670), Thomas came from Hertfordshire, England, sometime...

08/04/2024

Make sure to click on this photo from Paul Chouinard to see the buildings more clearly. Beth notes that the one on the far right is today's Davies Memorial Library. Helen points out that the two buildings on the left are part of current Rabbit Hill Inn: former Hodby Tavern, former Bowman Tavern.