Mayer to lead Hudson Heritage tour of library artifacts

On Oct. 8, Hudson Heritage Association and the Hudson Library & Historical Society will hold a special “after-hours” tour of the library’s displays of historic artifacts led by library archivist Gwendolyn Mayer. From antique oil portraits of Hudson’s founders, David Hudson and Mary Robinson Hudson, to a woolly mammoth tusk dated between 10,000–12,000 years old, the library collection is filled with unique and inspiring artifacts.

Mayer is familiar to many in Hudson as an engaging and informative speaker. She has been a member of the staff at the Hudson Library & Historical Society for 29 years. As the library’s archivist, she oversees a collection of newspapers, maps, manuscripts, papers, genealogy materials and artifacts dating back to Hudson’s founding in 1799.

The HHA’s October program will start at the library’s Flood Room at 7 p.m. with refreshments and socializing. The meeting is free and open to the public. At 8 p.m., after the library closes, Mayer will lead guests on a tour of exhibits.

Noting Hudson’s strong tradition of neighbors helping neighbors and the upcoming holiday season, the association is asking those who attend the October meeting to bring an item for Hudson’s Food Pantry. In addition to canned goods, cereals, pasta, rice, tea, ground coffee and nuts, the pantry is also seeking bars of soap, shampoo and men’s and women’s hygiene products.

Photo caption: A woolly mammoth tusk estimated to be about 10,000 years old is one of the displays of historic artifacts at the Hudson Library & Historical Society. Photo by Andrew Meldrum.