To Potential Donors:
The Carpenter Museum/Blanding Library in Rehoboth, MA was originally
constructed on land and with money provided by a man named Carpenter. However, the
Carpenter Museum has never been dedicated to Carpenter families. Over the
years, people have sent information to the Museum mistakenly thinking it was an
archive for Carpenter families. The Museum has never had the space or adequate
staff to handle the donations. In fact, many of the previously sent materials
are still in the original containers not easily accessible for research or
reference.
Today, the mission of the Museum has further changed to that of a community
resource for Rehoboth towns people, exhibits, quilt displays, etc. There is
diminished interest in Carpenter histories and genealogical information with
even less space and staff available to deal with such materials. They presently
have a new part time director and the facility has extremely limited hours.
An emerging source for Carpenter and related surnames is the CARPENTER
COLLECTION in the Sons of the American Revolution National Genealogical Library in
Louisville, Kentucky. (It is more centrally located for potential
researchers.) The SAR Library staff are working closely with a person of Carpenter descent
to accept, exhibit and protect the information. They encourage research.
Presently, there are approximately ninety-five volumes -- bound books averaging
200 pages each -- along with other supportive information. Interested donors
should contact Fay Charpentier-Ford, who serves as gatekeeper for the
"Collection" at fordjerryfay(a)aol.com.