On July 24-26, 2008, The Vienna Historical Society featured "Romance in Vienny" and "Professor Perkins' Singing Lessons," by Beverly Wight Smith and "The Buzz," by Beverly Shaw.
“The Buzz” is very fortunate in having on loan from Paul Crockett the authentic switchboard from the Mt. Vernon Telephone Office. His great grandfather, Harry S. Russ lived in what is now Paul’s home on Route 41. Across the street still stands the huge barn formally known as the Russ Carriage Barn where carriages and sleighs of the time were built and repaired. In 1902, Russ, an ingenious man, felt the need for communication between his home and the carriage barn and thus created the ftrst telephone system in Mt. Vernon. Neighbors noticed and wanted to be on line. Subsequently, it was moved downtown to the Corner Building. It was the center of the community until 1969 when the dial telephone was installed. Through this play we were able to peek in on a bit of that history.
