Museum_History

The Cambridge Historical Society was incorporated on August 15, 1929. It operates the Cambridge Museum that was created by Martha McFarland, a close friend of Kate McKie's.

Cambridge Historical Society - incorporated - August 15, 1929 - Quick Claim Deed. The house was to be used to house and preserve historical documents and artifacts.

Martha H McFarland - from Martha H McFarland & Frank T Holden, executors of Kate M McKie - August 20, 1929

Miss Martha McFarland and Kate McKie were friends. Both never married. Martha lived north of Cambridge on Route 22 in the big old house just south of the American Legion Building.

She had a brother, George, who lived on Pleasant Street. George married Milner Howarth and they had one daughter, Diane Truli.

Martha purchased the house for $500 and furnishngs for $146.90. She then sold the house to the Cambridge Historical Society for $1.

Martha McFarland and Frank Holden were executors of Kate McMie's will and are responsible for the house being a museum.

Martha bought Kate's house to establish the DAR house. Since the DAR couldn't own property, the CHS was established. The CHS invited the DAR to use the house as its headquarters. The DAR did hold its meetings here for many years.

Martha's picture is on the wall of the museum but her furniture and possessions were removed by her family when she died in 1956.

Cambridge Historical Society - from Martha McFarland to be used as a museum- April 6, 1956.

The deed contained a reversion clause to the effect that if the house were not maintained as a museum and kept open to the public, then the property would revert back to the Martha McFarland's heirs.

First Written Records of the Cambridge Historical Society - There were three directors: Irene McClellan, Fannie Laubach, and Elizabeth McKie, Wallingford, PA

As of this date, only members of the CHS were directors. Seven members were accepted: Mianda Spurr, Irma Howard, William O Engle, Col Charles Raymond II, Mrs Anita Raymond, Attorney Francis G Hoyt (proxy for Fannie Laubach)

Frank Thompson Holden, who was one of the executors of Kate McKie's will, was born in 1867, the son of William and Eveline Holden. He was born in the Town of Jackson where his family owned a tannery on Route 313.

In 1891 he married Emma Rice from Granville. They lived at 13 St LUke's Place. Frank died in 1940, but his widow lived to be 103.

They had two children, LeRoy and Evelyn. Evelyn (now in her 90's) resides at the Cambridge Guest House.