ALMANACTHE WETHERSFIELD HISTORICAL SOCIETY NEWSLETTER ■ VOLUME 38 ■ NUMBER 3 ■ SUMMER 2012

On July 17th The Christine Spero Group performs. Christine Spero is pianist, singer and composer and is known for her “me-lodic, emotionally powerful and soulful songwriting with rich Brazilian/Latin world fusion offerings that dance blithely between pop and jazz.” In addition to her original music, the Group will play many favorite, familiar tunes! Their music has been described as intoxicating and vibrant, guaranteed to shake your shoulders and move your feet. The quartet is a favorite in Connecticut and the Group was one of the headliners at the 2010 Greater Hartford Festival of Jazz.

KEENEY KOOLERS CONCERTS Free Outdoor Concerts for all!

The Keeney Koolers Series begins on July 10th at 6:30pm. The Society invites all to attend. Bring your chairs, picnic refreshments and you’ll have the opportunity to enjoy the great music and camaraderie of those gathered on the front lawn of the Keeney Memorial Cultural Center.

Leading off the series is The Hot Cat Jazz Band featuring the outstanding virtuosity of trumpeter Ross Tucker on July 10th. The Band specializes in swing, big band jazz and classic rock. Their repertoire covers the Swing standards of Gershwin, Porter and Duke Ellington, encompassing also the Big Band hits of Benny Goodman, Glenn Miller and Tommy Dorsey. New Orleans Dixieland and favorite Clas-sic Rock songs are also among their extensive repertoire. This Band is sure to please everyone (regardless of age). Please bring your dancing shoes! Continued on page 3

SAVE THE DATESCRAFT FAIR is back October 6th! Details on page 6

LANTERN LIGHT TOURS return on October 19th & 20th!

FORECAST: Time to CultivateSummer is here and with it come many enjoyable out-door activities. With Wethersfi eld’s agrarian past, and its status as the “cradle of the American seed industry”, it is not surprising that many people in our community are gardeners. From the several local garden clubs that plant beautiful displays around town to the busy community gardens, and the many home gardens in town, it is readily apparent that Wethersfi eld gardeners are among the best.

All gardeners know that their gar-dens need care and cultivation in order to grow – especially when con-ditions are not optimal. Wethersfi eld Historical Society, that garden that has grown from seeds planted eighty years ago, needs care and cultivation in order to fl ourish, as well. We have recently mailed our Annual Fund appeal to our membership and have been receiving many generous donations from caring mem-bers, for which we are very grateful. We need those do-nations from our members, but we also need something else from them – help with cultivation. In the nonprofi t sense, cultivation is the recruiting and encouragement of new members for the organization. New members to attend events, new members to volunteer for our pro-grams and fundraisers and new members to eventually become Governing Board members.

In addition to your caring gifts of money, please give us the gift of cultivation as well and encourage your friends and neighbors, who may not know Wethersfi eld Historical Society, to learn more about us. Invite them to a free Keeney Kooler concert in July, bring them to our exhibit opening in September, or just bring them down to the Keeney Center, Hurlbut-Dunham House or Cove Warehouse on a Saturday afternoon. Encourage people to visit our website and see the Articles from the Com-munity section or the Burying Ground Database. When you are attending our events and see someone you don’t know, introduce yourself – you may make a new friend for yourself and for the society. Wethersfi eld Historical Society’s strength is its members – please help us to con-tinue to grow and bear fruit for our community.

With best wishes for a bountiful summer,

Amy Northrop Wittorff Director

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WETHERSFIELD HISTORICAL SOCIETYThe ALMANAC is a publication of

Wethersfi eld Historical Society, a 501(c)3, non-profi t organization chartered in 1932.

Wethersfi eld Historical Society:Preserving Wethersfi eld’s history and culture

to inspire people today and tomorrow.

Governing BoardCandace E. Holmes, President

Andrea V. Rapacz, Vice PresidentRichard C. Mahoney, SecretarySheila M. Hennessey, Treasurer

Robert L. FisherNayda L. Flores

Matthew J. ForrestMary Beth Jordan

David P. KellyJames J. MeehanSandra K. MosbySusan A. Skehan

Douglas M. TurnerMartin H. WalshEdward A. Zito

Advisory BoardMargaret D. Moon, Chair

Seymour A. AdilPatricia H. Allen

Elizabeth F. ArnoldCarolyn K. BedulaAdriane H. BellerDorene B. Ciarcia

Delphine J. FarrellyBrendan T. Flynn

Lyle T. FultonGloria G. Gworek

Lee G. KuckroDorcas McHughJohn M. Oblak

John W. OldhamJudith C. Parker

Richard W. PeplauHoward A. Willard, Jr.

Sarah E. Wood

StaffAmy Northrop Wittorff, Director

Rachel Zilinski, Administrator & Collections ManagerElaine St. Onge, Program Coordinator

Mary Pat Knowlton, Education CoordinatorRoberta Simpson, Keeney Rental & Volunteer Coordinator

Cindy Brown, Public Relations Offi cerCynthia Reyes, Administrative Coordinator

Mary Procyk, BookkeeperJim Sorrell, Facilities Custodian

Newsletter StaffRachel Zilinski, Elaine St. Onge, Co-editors

Phil Lohman, Design

150 Main Street, Wethersfi eld, CT 06109860.529.7656

email: society@wethhist.org,Web: www.wethhist.org

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STAFF SPOTLIGHT We are very happy to announce staff changes at the Keeney Center as two long-time staff members as-sume greater responsibility to help Wethersfi eld Historical Society to continue to move forward. Join-ing Rental & Volunteer Coordinator Roberta Simpson in the Keeney offi ce are Cindy Brown as Public Relations Offi cer and Cynthia Reyes as Administrative Coordinator.

Cindy Brown was our Director of Marketing and Special Events at the Keeney for seventeen years until she retired in 2007 – at that time the Governing Board voted her “Director of Marketing and Spe-cial Events Emeritus”. Cindy has come back to the staff part time to lend her considerable talents to promoting the historical society and our events within the community. She will also be organizing the 20th season of the Keeney Cultural Series, which will take place in early 2013, and will be helping with our fundraising and cultivation events.

Cynthia Reyes came to us as a museum teacher in May 2006, and has been our go-to person for extra administrative and programmatic support when we have needed it. In addition to regularly handling school tours, Cynthia most recently transcribed the Griswold/Morris love letters for our current ex-hibit Love Letters and Uniforms: Wethersfi eld during the Civil War. Cynthia is now assisting Roberta three days a week with coverage and scheduling for the Keeney Center as well as assuming responsibility for the museum shop, and providing administrative support when needed for the Curatorial and Edu-cation departments.

Souled Out, returning by popular demand on July 24th, features a three-piece vocal section backed by nine outstanding musicians. The Band special-izes in the great Motown and 70’s soul era with authentic choreographed dance routines and outstanding musicianship. Their performance shines through with the stylish and fun show that delivers each performance just like the real thing! Souled Out brings back the glory days of Motown and Soul.

The Keeney Koolers performances are made pos-sible with support from the Robert Allan Keeney Memorial Fund at the Hartford Foundation for Public Giving. If the weather is inclement, the per-formances will be held inside the Keeney Hall.

PROPERTIESOPENThe Cove Warehouse and Hurlbut-Dunham House are open for the season! Enjoy WHS’s properties - open Saturday and Sundays, June 2 through September. Please call Keeney Center to confi rm hours, 860.529.7161. Visit a historic struc-ture today, or, better yet, be a guide!

KEENEY KOOLERS CONTINUED

In 1793, the year James Francis married Pamela Welles, James’ father Timothy deeded him “one certain piece or parcel of land lying in said Wethersfi eld at the southeast corner of my homestead containing half an acre… Together with the new dwelling house standing on said land…” We know from James’ account book that he had built that house the previous year with the help of his future brothers-in-law. Captain James Francis, a local militia offi cer and master builder, was responsible for the construction of many buildings in Wethersfi eld during the early 19th century. Five generations of James’ and Pamela’s descendants would live in that house at 120 Hartford Avenue until it was given by the sixth generation to Wethers-fi eld Historical Society.

In 1969, Mr. Chauncey Stillman entrusted the house built by his Great-Great-Great-Grandfather to the society. Through the generos-ity of Mr. Stillman and his daugh-ters, the historical society has been able to use this historic building to open a window on Wethersfi eld’s

past to our community for more than a generation. Wethersfi eld Historical Society has carefully cared for Francis House for forty years, but as with any old house, time and the ele-ments have taken their toll on the roof and exterior woodwork. It was also discovered that the house had structural issues due to the absence of essential tie-girts in the attic, removed sometime during the nineteenth or early twentieth century. This lack was causing the building’s walls to slowly separate, evidenced by the cracking of the plaster walls and ceilings. Left as it was, the house would have even-tually collapsed. Several years ago, the society began a project to preserve the Captain James Francis House and had been fortunate to receive a $20,000 Historic Preservation Technical Assistance Grant for this project through the Connecticut Trust for Historic Preservation. This allowed us to commission a Historic Structures Report and a Scope of Work and cost estimate for the necessary work on the building. We are now happy to report that the Homeland Founda-tion, a charitable foundation set up by Chauncey Stillman, has granted the historical society $60,000, al-lowing us to complete the most vital repairs to the building. Local contractor Tim Gothers was selected to do this work on Francis House. Tim has installed extra supports in the attic, replaced the three missing oak support beams, and is replacing the roof as I write this. The deteriorated soffi ts and molding have been replaced as well. There is still much more work needed, including restoration

of the windows, lintels, sills and other exterior woodwork, repoint-ing of the chimneys and repair of the cellar hatch and the founda-tion of the ell. We also require the services of an arborist to make the property safe from falling limbs and preserve the lovely specimen trees on the grounds. We are optimistic that the Homeland Foundation will grant the majority of the funds to com-

plete the work, with additional assistance from the Hartford Foun-dation for Public Giving and other private funders, including Mr. Still-man’s daughter, Elizabeth Jay Still-man Shafer, who has already made a generous donation to the project. The total budget for the project is $246,235; to date we have received $80,250. We are very grateful to the volunteers who comprise our Building and Grounds Commit-tee for their assistance with this project, especially Architect Bruce Bockstael, FAIA; WHS Past Presi-dent Howard A. “Buz” Willard Jr. of Willard Restorations (retired); and WHS Past President Thomas Giardini, President of Associated Construction in Hartford.

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l t th k ith dditi l

In 1969, Mr. Chauncey Stillman

CAPTAIN JAMES FRANCIS HOUSE RECEIVES A HELPING HAND

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KEENEY KIDS SUMMER HISTORY PROGRAMS Children will learn-by-doing that history is fun!

For more information, please contact Mary Pat Knowlton, Education Coordinator,

at marypat.knowlton@wethhist.org or 860.529.7656. Registration required.

July 30-August 3 ONLY!“Mythbusters: Debunking History” Entering Grades 7 and 8*Monday Night at the MuseumTuesday Bewitched?Wednesday Prison Break Thursday The Last of the Wongunks Friday Treasure Hunters *Minimum enrollment of 8

“Keeney Kids” Summer History Programs...8:30 AM to 1 PM Grades 1-8 Monday, July 23 through Friday, July 27, 2012 or Monday, July 30 through Friday, August 3, 2012

“Young Apprentices” “Journey Men and Women” Entering Grades 1-3 Entering Grades 4-6 Monday Neighbors-Then and Now Lost! Mapping Your Adventures Tuesday Arrrgh! Pirate Day Food, Glorious Food! Wednesday Picture Perfect Tools of the Trade Thursday Toot, Toot Transportation Wethersfi eld Goes West Friday Green Spaces, Fun Places Batter Up! Old Time Sports

“Keeney Kids” explore Wethersfi eld history through historical activities, tours, stories and games at the Wethersfi eld Museum at the Keeney Memorial Cultural Center and surrounding historic sites.

Program Fee: $80.00, $70.00 for society members,(After July 15: $100 non-members, $90 members)

SPRING KEENEY KIDS RECAP

Students learning through experiments how meteorites cause damage during “Weird Wethersfi eld.”

Learning how to fi sh at the Cove during “Gone Fishing.”

31st ANNUAL FALL CRAFT FAIR ON OCTOBER 6 Fun Outdoor Event for the Whole Family

The 31st Annual Fall Craft Fair arrives on Saturday, October 6th and you’re all invited to come to this outstanding show at Cove Park from 10 am to 4 pm. Round up your family and friends and bring your shopping lists. Along with the more than one hundred crafters display-ing a wide range of clothing, jewelry, furniture, specialty foods, seasonal decorations and more, there will be pony rides and face painting for children, offerings from several local non-profi ts and delicious goodies at the society’s Farm-ers Market booth under our tent, with mums and pumpkins as well. Our corporate sponsor, Henkel Corporation, will be there, too. Henkel, located in Rocky Hill, markets a wide range of well-known brands such as Dial soap, Purex detergents, Right Guard antiperspirants and Loctite adhesives. Admission is $7.00 for adults, $6.00 with a coupon. Children under 12 are admitted free when accompanied by an adult.

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Virginia and Thomas Wraight on their wedding day, August 30, 1947. Courtesy of Thomas Wraight

WETHERSFIELD WEDDING EXHIBIT OPENING SEPTEMBER 13TH! Did you get married in Wethersfi eld? It is your time to show us what you have. We are looking for pho-tographs, tokens, treasures and anything else you might have! Brides and grooms who were married in Wethersfi eld only please! Please contact Rachel at the Old Academy. Join us for the opening reception on Thursday, Sep-tember 13th, 5:30 – 7pm at the Keeney Memorial Cul-tural Center for the newest exhibition! Who knows, maybe you will even get a slice of wedding cake!

VOLUNTEERS WANTED! Show co-chairs Pat Ciarcia and Pam Kisielewski need many volunteers – at the gates, the Farmers Market booth, the Museum Shop tables, and to cover lunch breaks for some of the dealers. If you have 2 or 3 hours to give that day, please contact our offi ce at 860-529-7656 or society@wethhist.org and we’ll pass along the infor-mation to Pat and Pam. It’s a great way to meet new people and see the Fair.

FARMERS MARKET DONATIONS WANTED! Calling all bakers, canners and gardeners in the audience! Our Farmers Market Booth at the Craft Fair needs all kinds of baked goods from breads to cookies, brownies, cakes and pies, as well as jams, jellies, pickles and anything else from your garden that is saleable. You can drop off your contributions at the society booth by 9:30 am on Fair day or at the Old Academy by 4 pm on Friday, October 5th. This booth always sells out and your generous contributions make a big difference!

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POPULAR TOURS ARE SCHEDULEDAll tours are free to members and children under 16 and $5 for all others.

Tours are cancelled in the event of rain.

The Attic Treasures Booth at the Wethersfi eld Antiques

Show, scheduled for Saturday, November 17 at the

Pitkin Center, needs your gently used collectibles. If you

are cleaning out an attic, a basement or storage area and

fi nd some items you think would be saleable, just give

us a call at 860.529.7656 and we will pick them up.

Or you can drop off items here at the Old Academy,

150 Main Street. This booth attracts lots of buyers

and is a wonderful source of income for the society.

ANTIQUES SHOW NEEDS “TREASURES”

WALK AROUND WETHERFIELD: Join our volunteer guide on July 12 or 14 and again on September 20 or 22 for a walk around a block of Old Wethersfi eld, learning about some of the histor-ic homes along the way as well as anecdotes about former inhabitants. Meet your guide in front of the Keeney Memorial Cultural Center just prior to tour time. The tours on Thursdays are 6-7:30 pm and the Saturday tours are 10-11:30 am.

BURYING GROUND TOUR: If you have never toured the old-est sections of the Ancient Burying Ground, here is your chance. Tours will be Thursday, September 13, 1-2:30 pm and Saturday, September 15, 10-11:30 am. Meet your guide at the red barn in the First Church parking lot.

HOUSE TOUR 2013We are excited to announce that there will be a House Tour on Saturday, June 8, 2013 and that Dorene Ciarcia has agreed to chair the event. We are in the planning stages now and will be calling on many of you to help with the event when we are further along. If you have a special interest in this particular event, don’t hesitate to call the offi ce and let us know of your interest in being involved – 860.529.7656.

NEW MEMBERSWe welcome these new members who have joined us since the last Almanac.From Wethersfi eld: Judge Thomas P. MianoFrom Elsewhere: Mr. & Mrs. Bayard Marin, Delaware

July 10 Keeney Kooler Concert: Hot Cat Jazz Band, 6:30 pm on the grounds in front of Keeney Memorial.

July 12, 14 Walk Around Wethersfi eld: Thursday, 6-7:30 pm; Saturday, 10-11:30 am. Sept. 20, 22 Meet in front of Keeney Memorial. Free to members, $5 all others.

July 17 Keeney Kooler Concert: The Christine Spero Group, 6:30 pm on the grounds in front of Keeney Memorial.

July 23-27 Keeney Kids Summer History Camp: For grades 1-6, weeks one or two, also July 30-Aug.3 grades 7+8 in week two. Learn how much fun history can be! For more information, call Mary Pat Knowlton, Education Coordinator, 860.529.7656.

July 24 Keeney Kooler Concert: Souled Out, 6:30 pm on the grounds in front of Keeney Memorial.

Sept. 13, 15 Burying Ground Tour: Thursday, 1-2:30 pm; Saturday, 10-11:30 am. Meet at the red barn in the First Church parking lot. Free to members, $5 all others.

CALENDAR of EVENTS

Wethersfi eld Historical Society150 Main StreetWethersfi eld CT 06109Website: www.wethhist.orgE-mail: society@wethhist.org

Non-Profi t Organization

U.S. POSTAGEPAID

Hartford, ConnecticutPermit No. 2710