SALISBURY — For over 40 years the Salisbury, Vt., Historical Society has been active in preserving its local history, educating young school children, and promoting its cultural heritage. Many members come and go, bringing with them old traditions and new ideas as well.
During the 1970s with the looming bicentennial of the United States, activity was rampant. The Historical Society spearheaded a drive to erect a colonial garrison style cabin on the site of the former “Ann Story” cabin. Work began in 1976 and with help from local volunteers and boys from the Keewaydin camps, it was completed in time for the bicentennial.
The year of 1976 also produced the book “Salisbury from Birth to Bicentennial” written by native son Max P. Petersen, historical society President and son of local historian James Petersen.
Over the next three decades the historical society led the way in promoting its history with many different events, displays, and programs. One of the most memorable was “old home days” in the 90s. With many of Salisbury’s oldest citizens passing on and the hustle and bustle of modern life membership began to decline in the early 2000s.
In the Spring of 2006 a new breath of life was breathed in by Fletcher “Buster” Brush and the Historical Society was reorganized in 2007 with Buster as President,  Wight Manning as Vice, Martha Sullivan as Secretary, and Barry Whitney Jr. as Treasurer. Over the next decade major accomplishments include, expanding the once filled up Village Cemetery, allowing for new burials, and establishing the Veterans Park in Salisbury village. Other accomplishments include a pictorial database of old Salisbury photos that is ongoing and growing. Most popular are the summer programs organized by key members Jim and Margaret Eagan, with special help from member Bill Powers and others.
Recently the society lost the beloved Martha Sullivan. With her passing they lost a vast amount of history and knowledge. It is with this loss that the Historical society will once again reorganize. People from any town who may have ties to Salisbury or who may just be interested in local history, are invited to come to the reorganizational meeting on Thursday, May 9, at 6 p.m. The meeting will take place at meet in the town library in the Town Hall at Salisbury Village.