Talk at Seymour Public Library to highlight Colonial kidnapping

 

Derby 350th Committee to host Colonial Christmas Tree Lighting Saturday

 

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.

A 'Turnback Tuesday' memory posted on this date in 2018

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 of the sleeping chambers.

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

This is originally from a post from Derby Public Library.

Derby Historical Society to celebrate Independence Day with Colonial Reading

 

Oxford Public Library to host kids' program about Colonial Connecticut characters

OXFORD - Oxford Public Library will host an in-person children's program, Characters from Colonial Connecticut, for ages 8-12 from 10-11:15 a.m. May 7.

Register at https://www.eventkeeper.com/code/ekform.cfm?curOrg=OXFORD...

After a short introduction, students work in teams of 4-5 to learn about a character from colonial Connecticut, such as a tinsmith, tavern keeper, Patriot soldier, enslaved person, or Woodland Indian trader.

Each group explores one “identity box,” handling reproduction artifacts, practicing close observation skills, and completing a series of activities related to their character’s life.

The Library is at 49 Great Oak Road.

"American Rescue Plan: Humanities Grants for Libraries is an initiative of the American Library Association (ALA) made possible with funding from the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) through the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021."

This is shared from the Oxford Public Library Facebook page.

Derby Historical Society slates rag doll-making class at David Humphreys House

This is shared from the Derby Historical Society Facebook page.

Seymour Public Library to hold presentation Tuesday on Colonial Goodwife

 

Seymour Public Library to host virtual program on the Colonial Goodwife

 

Seymour Public Library to present Christmas in the Colonies program via Zoom

 

Save the date: Derby Historical Society readies colonial Christmas Fair

ANSONIA - The Derby Historical Society will hold its Christmas Fair from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Dec. 13 at the David Humphreys House, 37 Elm St.

A crackling fire and a cup of hot cider are the cure for the season’s blues. If you are in need of good cheer - history and unique gifts await here!

Come one and all and be greeted by the smells, sights, and sounds of the season. Enjoy our historic house and learn about its colorful colonial past. 

Help support your local crafters! Coon Hollow Farm, Wood ‘n Bark, and Big Bear Trading Co. will be displaying their hand-made items, perfect for that personal gift you have been looking for. 

For more information call 203-735-1908 or email to info@derbyhistorical.org.

Onsite parking available. 

* Masks are required for indoor events according to current State of CT guidelines - Group/tour sizes monitored * 

The Derby Historical Society is a regional historical society dedicated to preserving, maintaining and celebrating the rich and varied history of the Lower Naugatuck Valley. 

The Derby Historical Society welcomes all visitors and is available to support researchers, schools or other program needs. Our office is located at the Sarah Riggs Humphreys House, 37 Elm St. 

For information, visit www.derbyhistorical.org.

 

This is a press release from Daniel L. Bosques, Executive Director, Derby Historical Society.

Learn open hearth cooking at Derby Historical Society workshop

Hearth at the David Humphreys House in Ansonia.  

ANSONIA - The Derby Historical Society has scheduled a series geared towards teaching you the skills and technology of long ago. 

The first workshop will be held from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Feb. 8 at the David Humphreys House, 37 Elm St.

In this first part of our Colonial Skills Series,  Maria Schreiner will teach you the basics of fire-starting and the history behind hearth cooking. 
Each person will assist in cooking an entree and a dessert in our fireplace, and you get to enjoy the meal after building up an appetite!
Cost is $25 per person.
Space is very limited; pre-register by calling 203-735-1908 or emailing info@derbyhistorical.org.


This is a press release from the Derby Historical Society.

Colonial life is focus of Derby Public Library program in March

To mark Women's History Month
DERBY - The Derby Public Library will host a presentation, The Not-So-Good Life of the Colonial Goodwife, at 6:30 p.m. March 21.

In recognition of March as Women’s History Month, participants will learn what life was really like for New England women in Colonial times.  

Topics covered will include sex and birth control, childbirth, sickness, and medicine.  

This program will make you laugh and grimace while also honoring our foremothers.  

Presenter Velya Jancz-Urban’s interest in this topic was sparked when she was researching her book, Acquiescence, after her family moved into a 1770 farmhouse in Woodbury.

Even history buffs will learn a thing or two about the little-known issues faced by these women during this entertaining and informative presentation.

Copies of the book will be available for purchase.

Registration is requested.  
For more information, stop by the Library at 313 Elizabeth St., call 203-736-1482, or visit www.derbypubliclibrary.org. 


This is a press release from Cathy Williams, Director, Derby Public Library.   

Derby Historical Society to host Twelfth Night celebration Sunday

ANSONIA - Sample some colonial favorites and modern day dishes during the Derby Historical Society's annual Twelfth Night celebration from 1-4 p.m. Sunday at the Gen. David Humphreys House, 37 Elm St.

Humphreys House/Photo from Society's website

In Christian tradition Twelfth Night marks the end of the Christmas season.

Tours of the historic home will be given by costumed docents and demonstrations of colonial cookery will be held. 

The gift shop will be open during this fun event.

Admission is $5.

According to information on the Society's website, money raised will help support the ongoing restoration project on the Humphreys House. The money will be matched 100 percent thanks to a generous matching funds opportunity from the Persbacker Foundation.

Kellogg Center in Derby to host program on vampires

DERBY - Nicholas Bellantoni, Ph.D., Emeritus State Archaeologist, will present an entertaining and informative presentation on the history and mythologies of vampires in Connecticut, with a focus on remains found in the Jewett City area. 

Kellogg Environmental Center

This special seasonal program, sponsored by the Naugatuck Valley Audubon Society and the Kellogg Environmental Center, will be held at 6:30 p.m. Oct. 20 at the Center, 500 Hawthorne Ave.

Always an engaging and entertaining presenter, Bellantoni will share his knowledge of Connecticut history and cultural activity of long ago.  
Learn how research and study of early colonial activities developed the belief of vampire behavior and the ongoing fear of the undead. 

Specifically related to the study of remains in Connecticut, stories will be told of strong adults wasting away and dying for unexplained reasons. Was it due to departed family members consuming their energy and blood? What else could be possible?  And did these stories help build the image of Bram Stocker’s Dracula?  

Bellantoni spends an evening taking you on a journey into the past to see what the bones, graves and history tell us about the myth and fact of each situation.  
The program is offered free of charge, but donations are requested to help support further educational programs.

Please call to register; space is limited.  

The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection operates Kellogg Environmental Center.

For information, directions, or to register call 203-734-2513 or email donna.kingston@ct.gov.

This is a press release from the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection.