Milton Historical Society director steps down to help family business
Mary Knight, director of the Milton Historical Society, is stepping down after an extremely successful first year to assist her husband with their family business, Frantic Frets. The store sells gently used musical instruments, unique ephemera and antiques. Also offering lessons and instrument repairs, the shop opened in May 2018 with just a few hundred square feet. Having doubled their retail space in less than a year, the business is continuing to grow.
Owner Al Knight, also known as “Al Frantic,” is humbled by the support from people near and far. “I even have people shipping items to me to repair!” Al exclaimed. “I never expected this to take off to where we are today; it will be extremely helpful to have my wife and partner here to help. When we owned our flower shop we knew we could rely on each other and worked so well together.”
In addition to the store, Al also brings his musical talents to the area and performs at a number of local venues including Gilligan’s, Irish Eyes, Dogfish Head, and the Milton Theatre.
Mary will be working with her husband at the shop as the chief operating officer, handling marketing/communications, and helping clients. She also runs her own consulting company part time where she assists others with marketing and social media promotion. “My time with the historical society has been very special, and I have made more friends in a short time here than anywhere else I have been. Milton is my home - our home - and we are not going anywhere. I (we) will still be involved in our community, and who knows, maybe I will be able to do more.” Mary continued, “The Milton Historical Society will always have a special place in my heart, and after one of the most successful years in its history, I know I have helped to continue the trajectory as MHS enters the second half of its first century. A wonderful and active board of trustees, an incredibly caring community, and the greatest group of volunteers I have ever met have all contributed to the success of this past year.”
On Oct. 23, MHS hosted its annual fundraiser at a new venue, The Covered Bridge Inn. Nearly 200 guests came out for a night of great food, drinks, music and friendship, raising over $40,000 for MHS programs and general operations. This was the largest single fundraiser the organization has ever had and the most well attended. Together with professional event planner Annette Babich of Inn the Dog House, another fairly new Milton resident, they were able to create an event that was unlike any of the previous fundraisers done by the historical society. It was more of an experience and less of the same old fundraising event.
“I will miss my days at the museum but know that I can go and visit anytime. I am thankful for the opportunity to have served one of the most incredible and inspiring institutions in Milton.” said Knight. “You know where to find me, so don’t be a stranger!”
