A homecoming story: Maranda Hough’s Friendship Album
Sometimes history has a way of finding its way back where it belongs.
More than 160 years ago in our historic village, a young woman named Maranda Stewart Hough began collecting signatures, poems, and heartfelt sentiments from her family and friends in a personal friendship album. Decades passed, time moved on, and Maranda’s album eventually vanished from Waterford.
Fast forward to 2026, nearly 3,000 miles away. California collage artist and content creator Margarete Miller was browsing the shelves of a San Francisco thrift store when a vintage book caught her eye, priced at just $1.99. Miller regularly hunts for old paper materials to use in her artwork. But as she flipped through the handwritten pages and read Maranda’s name, she knew instantly that this was a treasure she could never cut apart.
Instead, Miller launched a cross-country detective mission. Her research led her to the Waterford Foundation, and this October, she is making the journey to bring Maranda’s album back to the village where its story began.
Connecting the Past to a Global Present
Inspired by Maranda’s 1860 tradition, Miller didn’t stop at finding the book. She launched a modern-day companion project, gathering signatures and sentiments from her worldwide community of followers. By replicating Maranda’s original signature patterns, she created a modern addendum that bridges a pre–Civil War friendship ritual with a global network of craft and history lovers today.
See the Journal at the Fair
While Margarete Miller’s special Tent Talk presentation has officially sold out of advance reservations, everyone attending the Fair will still have a chance to experience this incredible piece of local history up close!
Throughout the weekend, Maranda’s album and Miller’s modern community addendum will be on display at the Waterford Craft School tent (on the back lawn at the Old School). Stop by to marvel at the intricate 19th-century penmanship, read the warm notes left by Waterford residents generations ago, and see how the story came full circle.
Hands-On Fun for Little Historians
We are also bringing Maranda’s spirit of creative expression to our younger Fairgoers! Kids can drop by the Waterford Craft School tent all weekend long to craft their very own keepsake friendship journals to take home. It is a hands-on way for children to kick off their own tradition of gathering memories and notes from friends and family.
Plan Your Visit
Come welcome Maranda’s album home and celebrate 82 years of village craft, music, and community!
- Dates: Friday – Sunday, Oct. 2–4, 2026 (10 a.m. – 5 p.m. daily)
- Tickets: Every ticket is an All-Weekend Pass ($20 in advance, $25 at the gate). Kids 12 and under and Waterford Foundation members attend free!
- Location: Waterford Craft School tent (and venues village-wide)
Visit waterfordfairva.org to purchase your advance passes and explore the full weekend schedule!