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03/12/2019 04:44 PMIt’s one thing to talk about the past, another to share old photos, but still another to actually see a part of history on the big screen. On Sunday, March 24, at 4 p.m. at the Chester Meeting House, guests will get the unique chance to see three, never-before screened films of Chester from the 1930s to 1956.
The opportunity to see the very first showing of these films is due to the efforts of the Chester and Deep River historical societies, which partnered to obtain a grant from the Community Foundation of Middlesex County. The grant money (along with some additional money from the societies) was used to transform the early 16- and 8-mm films into digital format and edit them for viewing.
“I have shown the three Chester films to about 10 longtime Chester residents, who have really enjoyed watching them,” said Chester Historical Society’s Cary Hull. “They loved seeing people they knew in the 1956 film, and they even saw familiar faces in the 1930s film of Chester businessmen and students. People who are newer to Chester will be amazed to see the incredible Centennial parade, the floats, and decorated vehicles.”
Harry Archambault of Chester took the 1956 film, while Peter Calamari took the two 1930s films. Hull explained that it is through the generosity of the Calamari family and the suggestion of Calamari’s granddaughter, Deep River Historical Society Curator Rhonda Forristall, that Chester was able to get these films, the first of which depicts glimpses into a day in the life of Chester in the ‘30s.
The film shows images of a number of Chester businessmen, Chester High School students, St. Joseph’s parishioners, the Centennial, the Chester Fair, and Dr. Cash Day. Guests will see John Zanardi filling an oil truck, Silvio “Babe” Zarnardi cheerfully shoveling coal, and Postmaster Jim Grote at work. Also shown are Hazel Watrous (Archambault), Arnold Watrous, Anthony “Squint” Bertelli, Anne Dacundo (Hesser), and Theresa Scarpini.
Calamari’s second film takes place in 1938 and shows what life was like in Chester during the Centennial Celebration, which was a well-attended, popular parade in town complete with floats and bands, followed by a town-wide gathering on the green and a tea party for the oldest residents of Chester.
The third film, taken by Harry Archambault, highlights the Chester Home Day/Dr. Cash Day on the Meeting House Green and features hundreds of Chester residents.
For those who can’t make the showing event, the films will be put on the Chester Historical Society’s website.
Those who love local history should stay tuned for the showing dates and times of additional historic films from this treasure trove, which will be shared this fall by the Deep River Historical Society. Upcoming films will contain shorts of shared 1930s topics such as the flood and hurricane.
The Sunday, March 24 Chester Films Program is at 4 p.m. program at the Chester Meetinghouse, 4 Liberty Street, Chester. The screening is free and refreshments will be served. For more information, visit chesterhistoricalsociety.org.