Bridgewater Historical Society holds organizational meeting

An organizational meeting for the Bridgewater Historical Society was June 21 at the home of Ben Beydler, who called the meeting to order. Leon Rhodes gave the invocation. The purpose of the society is to preserve the past history of Bridgewater by individual stories, photographs, books, interviews, research and working with the town to replicate information.

In addition to Beydler and Rhodes, those attending were John Kline, Thomas Matheny, Pete Huffman, Joe Bowman Jr., Arnold Fishback, Griffin Gilkerson, Charles Miller, Glen Thomas, Guy Lee Clark, John L. Miller, Carl “Pidge” Rhodes, Wade Bodkin and Hobert Bodkin.

The Bridgewater Historical Society will collect and secure items in order to preserve the town’s history for the future.

“We feel that many of the important contributors [working at town hall] will not be in the area in future years,” said Thomas, “when they retire.”

Members discussed topics such as the town’s old-time stores, where to find valuable information and the town’s former names—McGill’s Ford and Bridge Port. Future plans include forming committees to work on various projects.

The next meeting is Aug. 2, at 10 a.m. For more information, call 828-3647.