Nahant Historical Society selling calendars

NAHANT – Looking for a unique gift that will be cherished for years to come? Forget scouring the malls and do your holiday shopping at the Nahant Historical Society, 41 Valley Road.The society has a wide range of gifts available and a portion of the proceeds from every sale benefit the NHS.The NHS 2008 calendar is $10 and it is chock full of 8 1/2 by 11 photographs that date back to the 18th century. The cover of the calendar is reproduced from a 1910 postcard and depicts the 1,200-passenger steamship, the Governor Andrews, leaving Tudor Wharf on its way to Bass Point.Golfing was almost as popular in town at the turn of the century as it is today, which is evident in a photograph from 1904. According to the NHS, golf made its debut in Nahant in the early 1890s when summer residents formed the Nahant Golf Club, which was built in what was formerly know as the Great Marsh.Of course the fishing industry and nautical history of the town is well represented on the pages of the calendar, including several shipwrecks.Other photographs in the 2008 calendar include the 1976 Junior High School girl’s basketball team, members of the police department marching in the 1972 Memorial Day Parade and an intimate family photograph from 1905 of the Frances H. Johnson family gathering for Thanksgiving dinner.Other great gifts from the NHS include a limited edition pressed glass cup plate depicting “The Eagle,” a hand pump fire engine that was used in Nahant from 1843 to 1871. In the 1800s, tea was served in cups without handles and poured into saucers to cool. Tea was sipped from the saucer and the cup was put on cup plates to protect the table. Nahant resident Gerald Butler designed the Eagle cup plate and only 500 were made.Gardening enthusiasts and naturalists alike will love “Did You See That One, Henry?” by Nahant resident and librarian Dan deStefano.Give someone an afghan to curl up with on those cold New England winter night. The society has a 100 percent cotton afghan, depicting historical Nahant sites, available.Nahant-themed postcards, bookmarks and note cards are also available.The calendar and other gift items are available at the NHS, which is open every Wednesday and Thursday from 1-4 p.m., and at the Nahant Public Library. Gifts are also available online at www.nahanthistory.com.