CHESHIRE, CONN. - SUMMER 2013 LIKE US ON FACE BOOK!
We are open on Sundays, yes indeed! Come by for our VISITING HOURS! 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. every Sunday except Sunday, July 7th (closed for 4th of July Holiday). This is a great idea for out of town visitors, particularly those who might not be from New England. AND our Boutique-in-the-Shed is open now. Summer Sundays from 2:00 to 4:00. You'll see what Historical Society Members have in their closets, cupboards, and basements and have now donated to our antique-style Boutique.
So far we've had an action packed month in June. We have had school tours from Chapman and Norton Elementary Schools who have sent their third graders over to see the Hitchcock-Phillips House. These children have been delighted to see the original site used for many of the drawings in the new book, "A Young Artist's Birthday Adventure, A Story About An American Artist, John Frederick Kensett." Artsplace - Joan Pilarczyk and Agnes Wnuk We have displayed the wonderful pen and ink illustrations done by Tony Ruggiero so the children can compare the drawing to the spot used in that drawing. We do have copies of this book in our Gift Shop.
We had our REALLY big day on Saturday, June 8th. Lois Van Almkerk did her magic for the 41st Annual Antiques & Collectibles Sale. She has been the continuos chairperson for this event for over four decades! We were a bit nervous about Hurricane Andrea but we prevailed and the weather rewarded us with just a perfect June day. Well done, Lois!
We are expecting the Doolittle's of America to visit in August. We hope they have a splendid weekend and will do our best to be sure they do!
Our Summer should be a fun one. We have the Northeast Paranormal Investigations Society visiting us one evening in the next months. They will follow up with a presentation the Monday evening before Halloween. The presentation is free but we will need to ask you to reserve a space ahead as we expect this to be a very packed house. We will be reading the Declaration of Independence on the Fourth of July on the Church Green (should kick off about 10:00 a.m.). We are finalizing our First Annual Historic Trolley Ride that will leave the Cheshire Historical Society on September 29th (reserve a space now!). And we will plan to be at the Cheshire Fall Festival in September. Of course, that will be about the time that members will receive their Fall Newsletter so we encourage you to join the Cheshire Historical Society and get on our mailing list!
We plan to expand our Web site to include links to any organization in Cheshire that has a "history" section on their Web site. We assisted St. Peter's Church in scanning Helen Bray's Informal History. Also posted is "St. Peter's Continuing History 1985-2010" by Evie Michaud. We thought it would be useful to at least try to link to other Cheshire groups that have taken the time to record their history. For anyone interested in this, a new venture has started in Cheshire: Cheshirepedia. Their goal is to display photos and short essays about Cheshire past, present, and future. If you might like to learn more about this group, e-mail Cheshirepedia
Soon enough it will be September but until then... it's summertime and the living is easy! Have an ice cream from any of our wonderful Cheshire ice cream shops. Stop at one of the farm stands and garden nursery's. Download our walking tour. Stop by our Hitchcock-Phillips House on 43 Church Drive on Summer Sundays 2-4pm.
| Our Lucille Williams Garden is really looking fine! The Garden on May 24th | Out front, just planted and looking spectacular! |
|
photos by Inge Venus |
 |
About Our Board of Directors & Contact Info | Directions to Our Society | Info Membership Form | Our Book and Gift Shop | Books at CHS (2012) | Our Brochure | Our Newsletters
Our Spring / Summer 2013 Newsletter includes our full event schedule
SPRING 2013 NEWSLETTER IS AVAILABLE! (Revised to correct editor error in Hall article page 6)
NEW! Books Available for Research at the CHS - Updated!
|
On Monday, April 22nd, Jeanné Chesanow, Town Historian spoke about “A Farmer’s Diary - Cheshire in 1873”
Photo provided by Inge Venus Our Town Historian shared highlights from a Cheshire farmer’s diary, making a fabric of one man’s journal entries. This fascinating story shared in a very real and personal way what life was like in 1873, after the Civil War and before World War I. Franklin Hall's diary was only one of several sources used including censuses of 1870 and 1880, Beers 1868 map, Bailey 1882 map, Booth 1865 map, list of church members (First Congregational Church) supplied by Martha Lape, cemetery records, diaries of Ellen Linsley Hall, land records, agricultural and land use histories of CT, and more. Some of the ideas explored were those embodied in small communities of that time: devotion to family and work; strong religious beliefs and practices, giving to the community and getting back (barter, working with and sharing with others), and making do rather than buying new. |
Lucille D. Williams Memorial Garden | Cheshire Memorial Day Parade 2012 | Christmas Party Photos 2012
|
FARMING IN CHESHIRE CONN
Known as The Bedding Plant Capitol of the World, Cheshire Connecticut has a long history of farming. Here are two articles, one from 1935 and the second from 2008, discussing farming in Cheshire 1935 - "CHESHIRE FARMING" from Program of the Cheshire Tercentenary Celebration of the 300 Anniversary of the Settlement of Connecticut 1635-1935 (includes winter farm photos)
Earl and Ruth Kurtz are pictured standing in front of their home at 1604 Peck Lane back in 1941. Click on photo for more information about Cheshire Farms
Books available at the Cheshire Historical Society (updated 2012) |
|
STOP BY OUR GIFT SHOP! Don't forget! Gift Giving is EASY when you stop at our Cheshire Historical Society GIFT SHOP! Town Historian, Ron Gagliardi's book: Images of America: CHESHIRE is a GREAT gift. LANDMARKS of Old CHESHIRE is also a lovely gift for anyone with an interest in Cheshire's history! We can mail books to you for a nominal shipping charge. Contact us:
|
 |
|
|
Do you have an interest in period costumes, clocks and watches, dolls, dishes, furniture, jewelry, minatures, Native Americans, toys, slavery, or other topic? Do you have experience in searching town land records or doing genealogical or other research? Do you collect old stamps, coins, bottles, guns, tools? Can you make a poster or set up a display? Whatever your interest or talent, we'd like to add your name to our "Subject Specialist" List. If you can help, please call Curator Mary Ellen Kania (203) 272-8771 |
|
Are you trying to locate information about someone buried in Cheshire prior to 1934? #205
PDF documents of the Headstone Inscriptions, Town of Cheshire of 1934. This list includes all the headstone inscriptions in Cheshire cemeteries. The list was sponsored by the Connecticut State Library and copied under the auspices of FERA (Federal Emergency Relief Administration) and WPA (Works Progress Administration), two Depression-era, federal agencies that provided "work relief." It is reproduced here with the permission of the Connecticut State Library. |
HISTORIC BUILDINGS IN CHESHIRE CONNECTICUT - Compiled in 1986
Historic Resource Inventory Building and Structures - 82 properties in Cheshire Connecticut surveyed in 1986 PDF of original survey forms available. Also Available with PHOTOGRAPHS - 1986 Black and White photos AND 2008 photos of the same properties and access to the PDF documents of 1986. (Note -- this will take some time to load as there are over 160 photographs). Buildings located on Main Street, Church Street, South Main Street and West Main Street. Photos and descriptions from nearly 25 years ago of these historically noteworthy properties.
|
|
Are you interested in the George Keeler Family that lived at 168 South Main Street? ALICE WASHBURN HOMES IN CHESHIRE CONN There were six Alice Washburn Houses built in Cheshire, Connecticut. Take the HERITAGE WALK OF CHESHIRE TOWN CENTER (personal walking tour)
Get ready for a little spring cleaning? These cleaning tools are on display at the Cheshire Historical Society. AIRPLANE FRAGMENT A piece of the airliner that crashed in Cheshire in 1946 - on display at the Cheshire Historical Society. (see Spring 2006 Newsletter for more details)
|
THE LUCILLE D. WILLIAMS MEMORIAL GARDEN Located behind the Hitchcock-Phillips House, the Lucille D. Williams Memorial Garden has been lovingly tended to throughout the seasons since 2004. PHOTO OF THE LUCILLE D. WILLIAMS MEMORIAL GARDEN: Cheshire Garden Club members Inge Venus, Vicky Brady and Carol Goertz pose after their monthly maintenance chores in the garden in mid-October 2009.
The Lucille D. Williams Memorial Garden photographed just as Fall overtakes it.
"THE
BARITE MINES OF CHESHIRE 36-Page Pamphlet written by Crawford E. Fritts - State Geological and Natural History Survey of Connecticut, Natural Resources Center, Department of Environmental Protection is available at the Cheshire Historical Society
Copies are available from the Cheshire Historical Society. The cost is $10 for this informative pamphlet.
|
|
TITUS MOSS AND MOSS FAMILY INFORMATION In 2006 - We took A Walk Back In Time to Cheshire Connecticut in 1862. President Lincoln Calls For 300,000 Troops and Who From Cheshire Will Go? A WALK BACK IN TIME - TITUS MOSS: CHESHIRE FARMER AND CIVIL WAR SOLDIER -- A PRESERVATION MONTH ACTIVITY
|
|
NEWSLETTERS AVAILABLE HERE: Table of Contents for Newsletters SPRING 2007 FALL 2007 WINTER 2007 SPRING 2006 FALL 2006 WINTER 2006 SPRING 2005 FALL 2005 WINTER 2005 SPRING 2004 FALL 2004 WINTER 2004 SPRING 2003 FALL 2003 WINTER 2003 SPRING 2002 FALL 2002 WINTER 2002 Do you have any older versions of the Newsletter (1999 and earlier)? Can you please let us know? We would wish to borrow them to scan and to post on our website. ARE YOU INTERESTED IN A TOUR OF THE HITCHCOCK-PHILLIPS HOUSE? Call curator (203) 272-2574 to schedule an appointment for research or to visit the house.
Curator Mary Ellen Kania welcomes visitors to the Cheshire Historical Society DOLLS ON DISPLAY AT THE CHESHIRE HISTORICAL
SOCIETY
INDIAN ARROWHEADS
Judge Ray Voelker donated these 11 white quartz Indian arrowheads and one black, flint arrowhead from the Krampitz farm, 1559 Peck Lane. Mineralogist Roy Smith examined these artifacts to verify the materials. (Spring 2006) TRAIN
SERVICE NOTE: Mr. Belletzkie was our Fall 2011 Speaker and
is now a very appreciated volunteer at the CHS. |
Medal
of Honor Display During the regiment's charge when the enemy was in retreat Sgt. Woodbury encountered 4 Confederate infantrymen retreating. He drew his saber and ordered them to surrender, overcoming by his determined actions their willingness to further resist. They surrendered to him together with their rifles and 12th North Carolina (C.S.A.) regimental flag.
Crazy Quilt on display at the Cheshire Historical Society
DOCUMENTS AND REFERENCES AVAILABLE AT THE CHESHIRE HISTORICAL SOCIETY (compiled November 2009) PDF FILES AVAILABLE FROM THE CHESHIRE HISTORICAL SOCIETY WEB SITE: Heritage Walking Tour Map of the Cheshire Town Green Cheshire Town History: PDF FILE of "CHESHIRE, CONN An Old New England Town" Chronology of Cheshire Events from "Our Town" Titus Moss Letters Letters home from a Cheshire Civil War Corporal A Kindergarten Photo from 1946 sent to us by Mr.Thomas Pitre of Sequim, WA |
|
PHOTOS OF OUR 2012 HOLIDAY OPEN HOUSE Building of the 2011 Gingerbread Centerpiece - inspired by the historic St. Peter's Episcopal Church And Holiday Party photos from previous years: 2011 2010 2009 2008 2007 2006 2005 2004 |
|
To schedule a visit to the
Museum, call Membership Our Gift Shop More About Us | Cheshire Then: A photojournal of Cheshire homes and properties Cheshire Town History: PDF of CHESHIRE, CONN An Old New England Town
Looking out the Front Doorway THE CHESHIRE HISTORICAL SOCIETY - Organized in 1951, the Cheshire Historical Society is a group of old and new residents who have a desire to discover and preserve the heritage of Cheshire, Connecticut. They educate and assist others in their inquiries into our past and promote a love for our town and its inhabitants. Our first home was in the 1st. District School (1951-1956), then the old Cheshire Public Library (Williams House) on Main Street (1956-1972). We are presently located at the Hitchcock - Phillips House on the Cheshire Green, as shown above. Our membership dues are most reasonable, so please join our Historical Society. Contact us for more information. We would love to hear from you! |
|
Call Us On The Phone: Our telephone number is: |
Write Us A Letter:
The Cheshire Historical Society P.O. Box 281 Cheshire, CT 06410 |
|
Send Us An E-Mail: Diane Calabro - CHS President Send e-mail Mary Ellen Kania - CHS Curator Send e-mail Our Cheshire Town Historian, Jeanné Chesanow - Send e-mail NEW! Cheshirepedia - Send
e-mail |
Visit Our Museum: The Hitchcock-Phillips House 2-4 PM Sunday Afternoons, April - December |
Links of Interest: CHESHIRE
The Town of Cheshire | The Cheshire Herald | The Cheshire Public Library: has every link you can imagine! | Suburban Garden Club of Cheshire |
Links of Interest: CONNECTICUT (this listing will be updated shortly - some links have expired...)
The State of Connecticut | The Connecticut Historical Society | State of Connecticut Historical Preservation and Museum Division | University of
Connecticut - University Libraries | Connecticut Freedom Trail | Covered Bridges in the Northeast | University of Connecticut MAGIC: Maps and Geographic Information Center | Connecticut Trust for Historic Preservation | The Federated Garden Clubs of Connecticut |
Site Revised: MARCH 2013
"[1723] It was called 'New Cheshire Parish' a name no doubt proposed by Thomas Brooks, because he fathered most proposals and was himself from Cheshire, England."
Pg. 15 Program of the Cheshire Tercentenary Celebration of the Three Hundredth Anniversary of the Settlement of Connecticut, 1635-1935.
Commodore Robert Hitchcock
1804 to 1888
Born in Cheshire, son of Amasa Hitchcock, Jr. Their home was across South Main Street where the Medical Center (formerly a bank) is now.
Become
a member! It is so easy to be a Member of the Cheshire Historical Society!
Both old and new
town residents interested in preserving Cheshire history are encouraged
to become Historical Society members. 
