- This event has passed.
Used Book Sale – November 6-7
November 6, 2020 - November 7, 2020
Historical Society of Cheshire County Reopens to the Public for Used Book Sale
Book lovers will be glad to know that the 20th annual used book sale at the Historical Society of Cheshire County is a go. Although the book sale was delayed for about six months due to the pandemic, the Society has managed to collect 4,500 used books, and the popular fundraising event is scheduled for Friday, November 6 through Friday, November 20.
This year’s book sale has been modified in several ways to allow for social distancing. The Historical Society’s director Alan Rumrill said, “Our top priority is safety. We will limit the number of customers allowed in the sale to eight people at any one time. Facemasks will be required and gloves will be provided for customers. Social distancing rules will be applied
The following times allow free admission, but limited numbers of customers will be allowed in the sale at any one time. Appointments should be made by phone or email to avoid wait times: 603-352-1895 or hscc@hsccnh.org.
- Friday Nov 6 — open 10 am to 4 pm
- Saturday Nov 7 — open 10 am to 1 pm
- November 10, 12, 13 — open 10 am to 2 pm
- November 17, 18, 19, $5 per bag, open 10 am to 2 pm
- Friday, Nov 20, $1 per bag, open 10 am to 2 pm
Most books will sell for $1.00 and the proceeds will support the Historical Society’s programs to collect, preserve, and communicate the history of Cheshire County. Books cover topics such as history, biography, antiques, art, architecture, cookbooks, travel, fiction, and children’s books. Rumrill observed, “Our members always drop off an eclectic selection of titles. Sometimes I wonder what they enjoy more, cleaning their bookshelves and donating the books, or browsing the book sale to find books to bring home.”
Rumrill recalls that the idea for the Historical Society to hold a used book sale came 20 years ago from Charles Felix, the son of Sylvia Felix who owns Eagle Books, at 19 West Street in Keene. The Felixes continue to help with the set-up of the book sale each year.
The book sale coincides with the reopening of the Historical Society to the public. The Historical Society’s Museum Store is offering 20% discounts for members and 10% discounts for not-yet members of the Historical Society. The Museum Store carries a variety of items with connections tom Cheshire County including the popular new books Keene Through Time with almost 200 images of Keene and the stories behind them, and Iron Roads of the Monadnock Region with hundreds of rail stories and over 700 images, maps, and tables.
The Historical Society of Cheshire County has been collecting, preserving, and communicating the history of the Monadnock Region for 93 years. In 2019, the Society’s staff of five employees and about 150 volunteers put on 174 programs that served 13,214 people, 29% of whom were youth and teens. Although the Historical Society closed its doors to the public for several months during the COVID-19 emergency, the staff has worked hard to deliver local history stories via the internet. The Society is excited about reopening its headquarters at 246 Main Street.