Description
This report contains the following biography:
“Edward D. Crafts dedicated much of his time to the community. In addition to his service as a Selectmen, Police Officer, and Building Inspector, he participated on the Finance Committee, Economic Development & Industrial Corporation, and the Historical Commission. As a member of the Town Memorial Forest Committee, Ed was instrumental in preserving disease-resistant Elm trees in the town’s forest land. Mr. Crafts was also a Volunteer Fire Fighter, Chairman of the Tri-Town Beach District, and as a South Deerfield Water Commissioner. We were fortunate to benefit from his knowledge and commitment to preserving Deerfield’s heritage.”
Typewritten inscription, starting on front and continued verso: “Wood from Montague City Covered Bridge built in 1871 as a toll bridge. It was the last covered bridge spanning the Connecticut River and was destroyed in the 1936 flood. This gavel was made by Edward D. Crafts, Troop 11, So. Deerfield, Mass.” Hand-printed text in ink: “Made in 1936 for trading 1937 BSA Jamboree in Washington DC.”
Inscription on Gavel handle (ink or wood burning stylus): Montague City Covered Bridge
References:
Allen, Richard Sanders. Covered Bridges of the Northeast. Dover, 2004. p. 65. Online at Google Books. (11 August 2009).
“Annual Town Report 2008, Town of Deerfield, Villages of Deerfield and South Deerfield (Massachusetts).” 2009. pp. 2 and 45. Online at http://www.town.deerfield.ma.us/Attachments/Annnual_Town_Report_2008.pdf (11 August 2009).