Salisbury Street Sampler Launches Web site
Annual Event to Attract Hundreds

Worcester, MA-On Saturday, September 16, 2000, sixteen institutions will open their doors to the public for an afternoon of free entertainment, refreshments, and tours. Known as the Salisbury Street Sampler, this annual event began four years ago as a way to attract the public to view the many beautiful and world-renown institutions located along Salisbury Street, which are not always accessible to the public.

The event, which is scheduled from 12:00 noon to 4:00 p.m., will attract hundreds of visitors and is designed to satisfy the curiosity of Worcester County residents who frequently travel past the churches, libraries, museums, colleges, and other attractions of Salisbury Street.

Free shuttle buses will be available to bring patrons from one institution to another, although many are within walking distance to each other. Many programs are on-going throughout the day, while some scheduled events will occur at specific times. A map and schedule will be available at each location on Saturday, September 16.

The participating institutions and some of their scheduled events are listed below. Those interested in learning more are encouraged to visit the newly establish web site at www.salisburysampler.org. There, they can find a map of the participating institutions, schedule of events and locations of shuttle bus stops.

One of the highlights of this year's event includes a Salisbury Street Sleuth sponsored by Preservation Worcester. The Salisbury Street Sleuth is an architectural treasurer hunt for children, featuring black and white photos of each participating institution's architecture. Participants in the Salisbury Street Sampler are encouraged to fill out the Sleuth form as they visit each institution. The treasurer hunt form is available at each location and prizes will be awarded for completed forms.

Other participating institutions included:

American Antiquarian Society will offer tours and a brief film narrated by Walter Cronkite. Walking tours of the library, Isaiah Thomas printing press, the Council Room, and the book stacks, containing twenty miles of shelving, will be offered.

Assumption College will partner with the Worcester Women's History Project (WWHP) for an afternoon of "Songs and Games from the 19th Century." Experts from Old Sturbridge Village will be on campus with games and toys for children to play. At 2:00 p.m., the WWHP Uppity Women Singers will perform songs that inspired the suffrage movement. Refreshments will be served.

Armenian Church of Our Saviour will have an organ recital from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. Coffee and ethnic baked goods will be for sale.

A ranger from Blackstone River Valley National Heritage Corridor will give a talk on the river in Institute Park.

Epworth United Methodist Church will display the history of the church. Food and beverages will be available.

First Baptist Church will sponsor a mini-fair honoring the 61 years they have been at their location. The fair will have a craft table, coffee corner, books and plants, baked goods, and ethnic food. Lunch will be served from 12:00 noon ­ 1:30 p.m.

The Massachusetts National Guard Military Museum will host WWII re-enactors, a Civil War Band, and an American Flag Display.

The Salisbury Mansion will have a birthday party for Stephen Salisbury. Cake and punch will be served.

Tuckerman Hall will have performances of the Central Massachusetts Symphony Orchestra, Salisbury Singers, and Salisbury Lyric Opera Company. Performance times are 12:30, 1:30, 2:30 and 3:30 p.m.

Trinity Lutheran Church will be open for self-guided tours.

United Congregational Church will have tours highlighting the symbolism of their stained glass windows.

Worcester Art Museum will feature two unique events:
The Lila Wallace-Readers Digest Discovery Gallery will be dedicated at 1:00 p.m.
Worcester's Community Mosaic will be unveiled at 3:00 p.m.

WPI will have tours of the nuclear reactor labs and displays of the student built SAE racecar, the FIRST robot, and many other demonstrations.

Worcester Vocational High School will offer small shop demonstrations throughout the afternoon.

For more information, of if you have questions on the activities of the day, please contact Heidi Paluk, Assumption College, at (508) 767-7173 or Jim Moran, American Antiquarian Society, at (508) 363-1131.