Window to Sandwich history given in new book

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by Frank Vaisvilas SANDWICH—A new book sold nationally features hundreds of photos and captions from the city’s first 100 years dating back between the 1850s and the 1950s.

Many photos feature Sandwich’s historical people and buildings at a time when horses lined the streets.

Local historian Joan Bark Hardekopf led the project by compiling photos, researching with help and writing the captions and introduction to the book published by Arcadia Publishing.

“Every photo has a story,” Hardekopf said.

Stories are provided for every photo in the book, such as on page 11 which features a large tabernacle that seated 1,400 people and was built in 1897 in just 22 working hours. That building was later moved, as several buildings were moved, to be used for manufacturing. It still stands today just west of Main Street on Center Street.

Many of Sandwich’s historical buildings still stand today, especially downtown. When Hardekopf was unsure what building was pictured in an old photograph, she would take the photo downtown and simply match up the windows.

Some photos took longer to research. Several women from the Sandwich Historical Society helped Hardekopf research photographs. Some work was done outside of the city with the reviewing of old records and newspapers. And accuracy was important to the researchers.

“We like to see it a couple of times so we could verify it,” Hardekopf said.

But they had limited time to do some of the research. Hardekopf had signed the contract last year with Arcadia and had about 10 months to complete the project.

Yet, it was something the historian had already been slowly planning for years. Arcadia has published thousands of historical books about cities and towns throughout the nation.

“Years ago, I had seen these books,” Hardekopf said. “I set it aside for several years.”

She had made notes and collected information about Sandwich’s history which came in handy for the Arcadia project.

“I’ve always had it in mind to do something with the businesses here in Sandwich,” Hardekopf said. “I had all that in my files.”

Yet, Images of America: Sandwich features more than just businesses. Hardekopf divided the photo essays into seven chapters, such as “Wartime” and “Community Events.”

“I think it’s pretty well-rounded,” Hardekopf said.

Its publication comes ahead of the city’s 150th anniversary next year. Royalties from book sales will help fund the 2009 sesquicentennial celebrations, which Hardekopf is on the steering committee for.

The book goes on sale this week for $19.99 at local retailers, online bookstores or through Arcadia, (888) 313-2665 or online at www.arcadiapublishing.com. Hardekopf said it also will be sold at the Stone Mill Museum on Railroad Street.