THE JOHN B. GOUGH COLLECTION

The first Gough exhibit took place on October 5, 1980. The Society had obtained a number of Gough possessions from Arthur and Helen Knight of Lower Waterford, Vermont. Mrs. Knight obtained the items through inheritance. She was the grand-niece of May Gough Allen, who in turn was a niece of John Gough.

May Gough Allen was the daughter of Herbert D. Gough, John’s half brother. May, along with her parents, lived for a time at Hillside.

The exhibit opened with some fanfare with area newspaper coverage. The Society proudly announced that it had the largest Gough collection in America, a boast that was even then, probably true. It was subsequently decided to make the Gough exhibit a permanent one in the museum and so it has been for nearly twenty years.

In 1998, the Society became involved in a move to save and restore the Gough mansion, "Hillside" after it was acquired by the town of Boylston. Additional Goughiana was obtained on loan from Mrs. Elizabeth Marble of Ashburnham, the daughter of Arthur and Helen Knight.

The museum staff decided to recreate the exhibit using a different concept and adding period pieces that although not belonging to the Gough family, did serve to enhance the scenes.

The new exhibit was opens on May 2, 1999 to coincide with "The John B. Gough Day" celebrations. This exhibit will also be permanent and will remain on display indefinitely at the museum.

The staff members who took part in creating this new display include William O. Dupuis, Frederick G. Brown, Betty Thomas, Judith Haynes, Norman H. French and Pamela Mackenzie.