Current & Upcoming Events

Norwegian immigrant John Satre gave a ski jumping demonstration off the roof of a hillside cabin in 1926, setting in motion one of the most improbable and unique traditions in Salisbury, CT.

Enthused by what they saw, residents built a ski jump and hosted their first competition in January 1927. Other world-class Norwegian Nordic skiers and ski jumpers joined John forming a core group that introduced Nordic sports to the community.  The Salisbury Winter Sports Association, SWSA, and its predecessor organization formed to support every aspect of that effort including organizing and hosting regional and national junior competitions held at John Satre Memorial Hill.

Today, Satre Hill is the site for a 70 meter state-of-the art tower that is a prerequisite for ski jumpers who aspire to Junior National Team designation.  At adjoining Hewat Hill, youngsters train on a 20 meter jump and the recently completed 36 meter tower.

Opening with a reception on January 16^th at 4:00, the Salisbury Association presents an exhibit honoring the 100^th anniversary of ski jumping in Salisbury and SWSA’s contributions to winter sports and the community.

The exhibit will run through mid-March.

Extended Hours for the SWSA Exhibit at the Salisbury Association over Jumpfest Weekend!
Friday, February 6th, 10 a.m.  – 4 p.m.
Saturday, February 7th, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Sunday, February 8th, 11 a.m. -1 p.m.

Dating from the 19th and early 20th century, most have come directly from Margaret Williams, from the Holley-Williams House collection, while a few belonged to other women of Salisbury. The intricate beading and crochet work in these examples is typical of the period in America and Europe. The purses were often created by women who followed patterns seen in contemporary ladies’ magazines such as Godey’s Lady’s Magazine and other publications from England, France or Germany. A woman’s skillful handiwork was a matter of pride and much admired, a sign of her good taste and refinement. Sometimes, particularly in the 20th century, reticules and purses were purchased in stores or by mail order.

Reticule, French for Net were also known as Indispensable and were developed to replace skirt pockets on voluminous dresses of earlier periods in which women carried personal belongings.