Off Broad Street Players Perform at Old Village Cemetery

By Mary Carter
Eagle Times Correspondent
CLAREMONT, NH — Rain had threatened to make an unwanted appearance, but in the end, all was well.

At 2 p.m. last Sunday, Sept. 24, a sizable crowd arrived at the Old Village Cemetery behind Fiske Free Library to witness a “Spirits of Claremont” presentation directed by Sharon Wood.

Honoring the library’s 150th anniversary, the event opened with a bell-ringing from neighboring Trinity Episcopal. The audience then heard from librarians, journalists, printers and editors from Claremont’s past. The first guest appearance was made by Samuel P. Fiske, benefactor of Claremont’s original library. The performance concluded with an address delivered by philanthropist Andrew Carnegie. Carnegie funded the building of the Fiske Free Library after receiving a letter from Claremont resident Frank Foster.

Karen Parker participated in the role of Fiske’s first librarian, Abbie Field.

“I signed on as soon as the cemetery walk was announced,” Parker said.

Parker grew up in Claremont and was a patron at Fiske Free as soon as she could get her library card. Her mother was a librarian there, making this celebration all the more meaningful to Parker.

“The size of the audience and their responsiveness were gratifying,” she said.

It was a marvelous setting in which to learn more about Claremont’s literary history. Parker, and the rest of her fellow players, are looking forward to future opportunities with the Off Broad Street Players.