Derby Historical Society hiring docents at Humphreys House n Ansonia

 

From the 'Turnback Tuesday' archives: Mansfield House in Ansonia

 

Turnback Tuesday visits the home of Rev. Richard Mansfield. The house, built in 1700 in Derby), is a Colonial Saltbox. 

This home has four rooms located on the first floor: two rooms on the right as you walk in, one on the left and the kitchen (keeping room) in the back. 

The top floor boasts two bedrooms (sleeping chambers) in the front with two small half rooms in the back. There are two staircases: one in the front entry and one in the back off the sleeping chambers. 

The home was originally located where St. Joseph’s Church is now and was moved in 1926 and restored.

[First posted on this date in 2018.]

Thanks as always to the Derby Public Library staff for sharing interesting local history each week.

Derby Historical Society to demonstrate open hearth cooking at Humphreys House

ANSONIA - Join Derby Historical Society docent Maria Schreiner March 24 as she guides you through preparing a traditional 18th-century meal over an open hearth at the David Humphreys House.

Participants will make a full meal including dessert and will participate in every step from starting the fire to enjoying their meal (and bringing leftovers home!)

This event is limited to 8 people. Tickets are $40 per person. Registration opens Friday, March 1 for this one of a kind experience.

The Humphreys House is at 37 Elm St.

Reserve a space by calling the Derby Historical Society at 203-735-1908. If there is enough interest, there will be a second class.

This is shared from the Derby Historical Society's Facebook page.

'Turnback Tuesday' memory on FB features 18th century 'castle' in Derby

Sharing a Facebook memory from this date in 2016:

This week's "Turnback Tuesday" photo is of Leman Stone's "Castle."

It was built in 1785 to accommodate Stone's business with the West Indies.

Stone occupied the "Castle" as his residence, a store and a warehouse for more than 20 years.

Located in Derby Narrows where the Housatonic River met the Naugatuck River, it was a landmark by both land and sea.

The walls on the water side of the building were very deep and five feet wide to withstand the freshets common at that time.

The building was demolished in 1891.

Thanks goes to Derby Public Library staff for sharing interesting local history each week.

Derby Historical Society docents demonstrate open hearth cooking

One of five fireplaces in the David Humphreys House, 37 Elm St., Ansonia.

ANSONIA - The David Humphreys House was the place to be this afternoon to learn about 18th-century cooking practices and to taste food prepared by Derby Historical Society docents.

Visitors enjoyed hot apple cider, beef stew, vegetable soup, corn bread, cranberry sauce, pumpkin pie, white pot (a bread pudding with cranberries) and apple cake.

Daughter Allegra was one of the docents; her job was to make two apple cakes in cast-iron pots next to the fire. 

Photos below:

 

Docent Dawn Sotir works in the keeping room at the David Humphreys House Saturday.

Allegra adds cinnamon sugar to the top of the first apple cake. 

The finished product. It was delicious!

Here she is getting coals to cover the cast-iron Dutch oven containing a second cake.

The cake cooks with coals underneath and on top of the Dutch oven. 

Herbs drying over the fireplace in the keeping room.

And a seasonal display was set up in a corner of the keeping room.


Next month the historical society will hold its annual Christmas Fair and Cookie Walk from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Dec. 12 at the Humphreys House.

Save the date! It promises to be a fun event.