“The Victorian Garden - Golden Years of Horticulture”
Date: April 19, 2009
Time: 2:00 pm

On Sunday April 19th at 2 p.m. the New Milford Trust for Historic Preservation, in conjunction with the New Milford Historical Society, is sponsoring a lecture on the Golden Years of Horticulture 1836-1901 by Marie Hayes.

Ms. Hayes is a master gardener, former Garden Advisor and Head Gardener for the White Flower Farm in Litchfield, and currently operates her own business, Gardens Unlimited, in Waterbury, CT.

Ms. Hayes' lecture and slide presentation will be held in the main gallery of the New Milford Historical Society, 6 Aspetuck Avenue, New Milford, CT. All interested individuals are invited to attend, the presentation is free and open to the public.

Marie Hayes, master gardener, speaks before the
New Milford Historical Society on April 19, 2009.

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“Simply Lincoln”
Date: May 3, 2009
Time: 2:00 pm
Admission: $5.00

A Talk with Mr. Lincoln

Howard H. Wright, speaking as Abraham Lincoln, presented a program Sunday at the New Milford Historical Society commemorating the life and legacy of Abraham Lincoln. Mr. Wright performed speeches and letters from Lincoln himself. His hour long program titled, "Simply Lincoln, " remembered Lincoln for his vital role as the leader in preserving the Union during the Civil War and beginning the process (Emancipation Proclamation) that led to the end of slavery in the United States. Perhaps our most admired president, Lincoln is remembered as a man of humble origins whose determination and perseverance led him to the nation's highest office. He is often considered America's wisest president. Many present-day politicians borrow Lincoln's words for their speeches, including our current president, President Barack Obama. Sunday's program concluded with refreshments typical of Lincoln's time. Refreshments were baked by historical society volunteers. Those attending the program received recipe cards of Lincoln family recipes from museum curator, Paula Walton. Read more in the Housatonic Times.

The exhibit entitled "The Lincoln Era" continues at the New Milford Historical Society through July. The multi-media exhibit includes flags, Civil War era clothing, military papers and memorabilia, hair mourning jewelry, quilts, dolls and household items, and a digital presentation produced by Ron Lathrope, Paula Walton, John Gaiser and Hank Waldrop.

The new historical society gift shop is featuring the historical society's collectible pewter medallion for 2009 of the Lincoln Statue that sits at the north end of the green in New Milford.

For more information, please call the society at 860-354-3069.

Howard Wright as President Abraham Lincoln views opening exhibit at the society.

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United Way Day of Caring
Date: June 10, 2009

The United Way volunteers from Union Savings Bank came last Wednesday. They
were a huge help. They managed to get all of the projects that we requested completed.

Many thanks to Mark Malkin, Nettie McKenna, Kathy Kelly-Koch, Joanne Lillis
and Linda Anderson for all of their help in preparing for and carrying off a very successful day.

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New Milford Outdoor Art Festival
Date: Saturday, June 19-20, 2009
Time: 10-6:00 pm

Special thanks to this year's co-chairmen, Pat Lathrope and Bill Merklein.
And to Ron Lathrope, Pat and Paul Hembrook and Mary Martin,
and all the volunteers who gave their time to make this show a success.

A panel of judges select artists to participate in this fine art show and sale. Each year, each artist must submit photos, slides, or digital images that clearly represent the work they will exhibit. These images are also used for publicity and all efforts will be made to return them. All artists MUST have a CT Sales Tax Number, must bring their own display racks (and tent). This is a two-day show. All exhibitors must stay through the end of the show. Information for fine artists wishing to exhibit in the show and a prospectus is available by mail.

SAVE THE DATE
The 2010 Show will be held: June 19 & 20, 2010
The 2011 Show will be held: June 18 & 19, 2011

The Best of Show winner for 2009 is artist, Lori Barker.

The 2009 New Milford Outdoor Art Show Winners

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Tag Sale
Date: July 24 and 25, 2009
On the grounds of the society
Preview: July 23 from 6-8:00 pm ($5.00 per person for preview)

In an effort to raise money to offset rising costs to keep the museum open, we are seeking donations of unique items for a tag sale at the historical society. No clothing.

We also need volunteers to help before hand setting up and pricing and on the day of the sale. The Tag Sale co-chairmen are Kathy Kelly-Koch and Nettie McKenna. Kathy can be reached at 355-4488. Those interested in helping or donating may e-mail the society at nmhistorical@gmail.com.

The dates for the tag sale are July 24 and 25. A preview party will be held on July 23. Admission of $5.00 per person will be charged for the preview.

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History Camp for Children
Dates: 7/20, 7/21, 7/22, 7/23
Time: 9:00am to 11:30am
Cost: Individual workshop - $35.00; 4 Workshops - $120.00
Registration Required

The New Milford Historical Society is offering four summer workshops for children to learn more about Sarah Noble and the One-Room Schoohouse. Students ages 7 to 11 are invited to attend one to four of the workshops offered. These will be held in the Hill and Plain #1 Schoolhouse from 9:00am to 11:30am. Snacks will be provided each day.

Click here to download application. For information, call Bob 354-9954 or Paula 355-3069.

Early American Craft
Monday, July 20, 2009
9:00am to 11:30am
(Sample activities - candle making, weaving & spinning)

Morning in a One-Room Schoolhouse
Tuesday, July 21, 2009
9:00am to 11:30am
(Sample activities - making ink, writing with quills, playing with early American toys)

Life and Times of Sarah Noble
Wednesday, July 22, 2009
9:00am to 11:30am
(Sample activities - making butter, making stencils, grinding corn)

Toy Making
Thursday, July 23, 2009
9:00am to 11:30am
(Sample activities - making Jacob ladders, buzz saws, cup & bowl)

Click here to download application. For information, call Bob 354-9954 or Paula 355-3069.

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Hand Quilting Class
Date: August 29, 2009
Time: 10:00-2:00 pm
Tuition: $50 for members, $58 for non-members.

Learn to hand piece and hand quilt your choice of one of four quilt block patterns taken from the Historical Society's c. 1865-1890 Sampler Quilt (1974.2) that was made by Mrs. Mary Smith Dakin of Gaylordsville.

Your finished quilt block may be made into a throw pillow or wall hanging. This is an excellent introduction to the art of quilting. Students will be provided with a list of materials and equipment that they will need to bring to class. The tuition fee includes the cost of the quilt block pattern.

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Colonial Family Day
Date: Sunday, September 27, 2009
Fee: $12.00 Member Family, $15.00 Non-Member Family

Come join us for a celebration of everyday life in 18th and early 19th century New England. Colonial Family Day is a fun and enjoyable afternoon for people of all ages. Experience and explore bygone domestic and decorative arts.

Watch interpreters demonstrate open hearth cooking, silhouette cutting, quilting, rug hooking, plein air painting, and soap making.

Try your hand at one or all of our interactive activities which will include churning ice cream, stitching a sampler, sewing a quilt block, making herbal sachets, dipping candles, making a simple rag doll, carding fleece, scrubbing clothes, making a scarecrow, bobbing for apples, and stenciling. The museum will also be open for tours of our permanent collection, the Knapp House, and our featured exhibit of quilts and shirred rugs.

For those of you who would like to take home a souvenir from your afternoon of "time travel", our silhouette artists will be offering sittings on a first come first served basis. We will also have sweet treats available for sale at our Bake Shop table. Plus our museum gift shop, which features books, prints, maps, New Milford medallions and other items, will be open.

Please call 860-354-3069 or email nmhistorical@gmail.com if you would like to volunteer to help with this event.

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Concert of Civil War Era Music
Date: October 4, 2009 on Sunday
Time: 2:00 pm at New Milford Public Library

This concert at the New Milford Public Library will feature music from the Civil War Era. It is co-sponsored by New Milford Commission on the Arts and Friends of the Library in conjunction with the New Milford Historical Society’s yearlong celebration of President Abraham Lincoln.

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Exhibit Opens “300 Years of Christmas Traditions”
Date: October 8, 2009
Time: 1:00 pm-4:00 pm

Make Christmas 2009 a special one. Come to the Historical Society and learn to make an historic craft, then create one-of-a-kind hand made gifts for your family and friends. We are offering a variety classes that are based on items from the museum's collection.

All classes are being taught by Curator/Director Paula Walton, who is an award winning, nationally recognized artisan. A minimum registration of four students is necessary for each class to be held.

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M. Joseph Lillis Historical Lecture
“Geneology” with Joanne Chapin,
New Milford Town Historian and DAR member.
Date: October 11, 2009
Time: 2 pm - 3pm in the Museum Gallery

Joanne Chapin, Town Historian and member of the DAR, will present a program on Genealogy, sharing her experiences researching her family and her husband family lineage in Connecticut, Maine, New Hampshire and Massachusetts..
Suggested Donation: $5.00.

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Traditional Jointed Teddy Bears
Date: October 17, 2009
Time: 10:00 to 4:00 noon
Tuition: $75 for members, $85 for non-members

Students in this one day class will learn to make a jointed bear, made of your choice of mohair or acrylic fabric. The bear that you will be making is based on an early 1900's Steiff bear that was a bequest to the Society from Mildred Orelup (1987.31a).

You do need to have basic sewing skills in order to take this class. After registering you will be given a list of materials and equipment that you will need to bring with you. Your tuition includes the cost of a pattern, a set of five joints and glass eyes.

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M. Joseph Lillis Historical Lecture
“New Milford African American Civil War Veterans”
Date: October 18, 2009
Time: 2 pm - 3pm at the museum’s main gallery

Kathleen Zuris will give a power point presentation on the New Milford African Americans who served in the Civil War from New Milford and surrounding area.
Suggested Donation: $5.00

Patch Shirred Rug Class
Date: October 24, 2009
Time: 10:00 to 2:00 pm
Tuition: $45 for members, $52 for non-members

Create a fabulous sewn throw rug of your own design. The technique taught in this class is one that was used to make a patched shirred rag rug in the Society's collection that has been on exhibit in the Knapp House for many years.

To participate in this class you do need to know the basics of hand sewing. This is a great way to use up either cotton or wool fabrics from your scrap bag. Patch shirred rugs pre-date hooked rugs and are much faster to make. Students will be given a list of materials and equipment that they will need to bring to class.

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New Milford Historical Society Annual Members' Dinner Meeting
Date: October 20, 2009
Information to come.

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M. Joseph Lillis Historical Lecture
“Connecticut Town Meetings During The Revolution”
Date: October 25, 2009
Time: 2 pm - 3 pm at the museum’s main gallery

Jolene Mullen, the State Chair of Volunteer Genealogy for Connecticut DAR, will present her talk “Connecticut’s Town Meetings During the Revolution” based on her research of her upcoming book on Towns of Connecticut.
Suggested Donation: $5.00

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M. Joseph Lillis Historical Lecture
“Civil War Re-enactment”
Date: November 1, 2009
Time: 2 pm - 3 pm at the museum’s main gallery

John Coleman, history teacher in Ridgefield area and graduate of New Milford High School, will discuss his activities as a Civil War re-enactor. He recently participated in the Civil War Re-enactment in Woodbury, Connecticut..
Suggested Donation: $5.00

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The Knapp House kitchen during the winter holidays, 2008.

Pictures with Santa (and the historical society’s antique sleigh)
Date: Saturday, November 21, 2009
Time: 10:00am - 2:00pm.

Bring the kids for a fun photo with Santa, then stop by our Christmas Shop (see description below). No fee charged to take your own pictures.

Visiting Santa in the Boardman Store Gallery are (left to right) Diane Dubreuil,
Susan Metcalf, Santa, Joanne Lillis, Pat Lathrope, and Ron Lathrope. (2007)

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The Christmas Shop
Date: Saturdays from November 28, 2009 to December 19, 2009
Time: 10-2:00 pm

Stop by the museum’s historic bank for a unique selection of gift items, including ornaments, prints, and selected crafts by local artisans. Check local newspapers for additional information.

Christmas Shop volunteers Joy Geiser (left) and Susan Metcalf.

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Victorian Scrap Paper Christmas Ornaments Class
Date: December 5, 2009
Time: 10:00 to 12:00 noon
Tuition: $25 for members, $30 for non-members.

Get in the Christmas spirit, come join us for this fun morning class where you will learn how to make Victorian style ornaments out of paper, lithographed "scraps", glitter, tinsel and more.

No prior experience is necessary. We will provide you with a list of items to bring with you to class. Tuition will include lithographed "scraps".

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An Evening of Wine and Song
Date: Saturday, December 5, 2009
(tickets may be purchased in advance)
Information to come.

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Moravian Style Cloth Doll
Date: December 12, 2009
Time: 10:00 to 4:00 pm
Tuition: $80 for members, $89 for non-members.

Come join us for a creative, informative day of sewing. Learn to make a cloth doll in the style made by the Sewing Circle of the Moravian Church. The pattern for the doll that students will be making in this class is based on the Moravian Rag Doll (1950-18) that has long been a resident in the Knapp House "Toy Room". This cloth doll has painted features and is traditionally dress in either pink or blue gingham.

Participants in this class must know the basics of machine sewing. A list of materials and equipment to bring along with you will be sent upon receipt of your registration. Tuition includes the doll pattern and a printed cloth face (either for reference or for you to use instead of painting).

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