On July 5, 1902, fifty-seven men gathered together at the Hooker Hotel, having been invited by Seth C. Hooker, the hotel’s proprietor. The criteria for being invited was that the gentleman had to be from the Willimantic vicinity and reached the age of seventy. The event was to be a reunion of sorts. It was said that, “the morning hours were pleasantly spent in the office, parlor, and other rooms of the hotel. At the noon hour, the company was invited by the genial landlord to enter the dining room where three long tables had been set. The tables and walls were artistically decorated and adorned with flowers.” “The Chronicle” reported that, “when it was about the hour of twelve came the keeper of the house and said with a loud voice, ‘Come ye to the feast which I have prepared for you’. And they, with one accord said : ‘Most worthy and honored host, we come’. And it was so and they did all eat and were filled. As was customary for gatherings of that time period, several speeches were given and songs were sung. During the gathering, a portrait was taken of the attendees standing in front of the hotel. Since all who attended enjoyed themselves immensely, Mister Origen Bennett of Chaplin suggested that an old mens club be organized and so the group elected a president and a secretary and decided to have the next meeting on July 4, 1903. The group named itself “The Venerables”. In May, 1903, Benjamin Franklin Bennett became the first member of “The Venerables” to pass away. Many members of “The Venerables” attended the funeral ,”and were seated as a group in the church....As the members of the club passed by the casket to take their last look at the form of their friend, each deposited a white carnation on the casket.” The following July, “The Venerables” had their second meeting which consisted of dinner, a musical program, speeches, orations and a eulogy for Mr. Bennett. The group continued its yearly meetings for about ten years. After that period, it was said that once Mr. Hooker retired, “the meetings did not seem to have the interest they had when “Uncle Chauncey conducted the house and spread his good cheer to all”. For questions or comments about this  week’s photo or article, please e-mail us at “threadcity@outlook.com”.