NORWICH – Now in his mid-90s, local veteran, historian and now author Archie Hubbard said he was excited to see the full-spread sheets which will make up his soon-to-be-released autobiography – “Memories of the 20th Century, Guilford and Upstate New York: As Seen Through the Eyes of Archie Hubbard” – coming hot off the press during a recent visit to Chenango Union Printing, 15 American Ave.
Yet it’s not just the fact that he’s seeing, for the first time, the results of five years of intensive labor – he simply loves to watch the printing press at work.
“I just love machines, I’m a machine person,” stated Hubbard, who seems to exude the energy and enthusiasm of a man half his age. “It’s awesome for Chenango Union to let me witness the actual printing of the book.”
Convinced by his wife of over 20 years to finally put his impressive collection of memories and experiences into print, Hubbard said the book is focused on his early life, beginning in 1915 and running through his time with the Army during World War II. A second volume is currently in the works, which will detail Hubbard’s life following the war to end all wars and his years in business, leading up to modern times.
As to the first in the proposed two-part series, Hubbard said he thought local residents and history buffs would find it “really interesting,” considering he was born at a time when horses were the primary means of transportation.
Born and raised in Guilford, a young Hubbard first began working on his father’s farm at the age of five. He attended ten different schools throughout his childhood and said he remembered when – in the early 1920s – his father purchased his first Fordson tractor.
Hubbard also recalled his father’s first Ford Model T, and joked how much the elder Hubbard disliked the vehicle, as it didn’t like to start in cold weather.
The wealth of information contained within the book can be attributed to Hubbard’s near-perfect memory. He said that – given 30 to 40 seconds – he can typically pull up virtually any specific event or experience from his past, as if he were really there.
Chenango Union Printing owner Andrew Phelps stressed the importance of Hubbard’s publication, and the wealth of information it contains on local history. With more and more information being stored digitally these days, Phelps said he considered the printing press one of the most important inventions ever created.
“Sometimes it seems like our infrastructure is collapsing before our very eyes,” said Phelps, who added he was more than happy to assist Hubbard in any way he could. “It’s so important that we continue to print this type of information to paper.”
Hubbard said he hoped people will enjoy the book once it’s released, and copies will be available for purchase once he’s satisfied the needs of his eleven children and numerous grandchildren.
“I never dreamt of such a thing,” said the local author of his first publication.