Local Historian Honored as Heritage Hero

Joan Abshire has been honored for her committment to the history and heritage of Marlborough leading up to the Heritage Festival on Sunday.

"I was floored," said Abshire who has been a member of the Marlborough Historical Society for 20 years.

It was her passion for digging through the past and revealing truths that was aknowledged on Wednesday when Mayor Arthur Vigeant bestowed the yearly honor. Abshire has been a valuable resource to the community, serving as a source of knowledge about the city's past.

"It's so important to keep our heritage moving forward," said Mayor Vigeant.

Abshire's interest has focused on delving into the historical mysteries around Marlborough. She has explored the city's industrial and farming past. Her investigative journey has even lead her to explore the warning ride taken as the Revolutionary War began that Paul Revere famously began in Boston, but which extended to Pennsylvania.

"There is still some controversy there," said Abshire about who actually carried the message down to Pennsylvania.

The honoring is part of the Heritage Festival which takes place this Sunday. The event takes over the downtown and truly has something for everyone in the community, said Mayor Vigeant.

"It's a great family day," he said. "It's just a fantastic, old-fashioned fair."

The festival will occur on Main Street from 10:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m. on Sunday. More information about the festival, which includes a chili and clam chowder cook-off is available on the event's website.