The Webb-Deane-Stevens Museum

FALL 2012 CALENDAR OF EVENTS ------

Connecticut Art, Antiques and History: Fall Lecture Series featuring William Hosley The Webb-Deane Stevens Museum will host a series of lectures featuring celebrated historian and scholar William Hosley, on three consecutive Thursday evenings, beginning September 27, 2012. An outspoken activist for the preservation of the rich cultural history of and New England, Hosley brings more than 30 years’ experience in art, antiques and history to his entertaining lectures. Each lecture will begin at 6:30 p.m. and will be preceded by a wine reception at 6 p.m. Admission to the lectures is free with a suggested per drink donation of $5.

Thursday, September 27th, 6:30 p.m. Lighting Freedom’s Flame: Connecticut’s Revolutionary War Sites

Hosley maintains that because Connecticut was not the site of any major Revolutionary War battles it has been relegated to the margins of the story of American’s journey to independence. He will illustrate how Connecticut did indeed play a wide-ranging role during the period and was the home of some of the Revolution’s most renowned and infamous personalities and that Connecticut was also the site of memorable battles and skirmishes.

Thursday, October 4th, 6:30 p.m. Connecticut Furniture and the Origin of American Art

Hosley will explore the diverse stylistic traditions of Connecticut’s furniture, chronicle the transformation of furniture making from a domestic craft to a modern industry and offer insight into the domestic life, taste and cultural values of Connecticut’s peoples. He will trace the story of Connecticut furniture from the earliest work of joiners Aaron Cooke of Windsor and Henry Treat of Wethersfield to the innovators of the industrial age, including Lemuel Hitchcock and Ebenezer Tracy.

Thursday, October 11th, 6:30 p.m. Wallace Nutting: A Search for New England’s Past

Hosley will discuss the colorful life and career of one of the Colonial Revival period’s strongest proponents. At the beginning of the 20th century, Wallace Nutting (1861-1944) emerged as a popular photographer whose pictures of farm life, rural beauty, old houses and colonial interiors earned him a national reputation. According to Hosley, no other figure in the 20th or 21st centuries did more to advance the study and public awareness of early-American life.

Witchcraft and Tombstone Tours! Saturday, October 20th and 27th, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. and Sunday, October 21st and 28th, 1-4 p.m.

On Saturday tours go out at 10, 11:30, 1 and 2:30. Sunday tours go out at 1 and 2:30. Tours last approximately 1.5 hours. Cost of this tour is $10 per person. Please call 860-529-0612, ext. 12 for reservations.

For the Halloween season, the Webb-Deane Stevens Following the house tour, Museum has developed a special tour, Tales visitors will enter the of Witchcraft and Ancient Burying Ground Tombstones. Groups where the headstones tell begin in the Buttolph- many tales. Different Williams House, which headstone designs and the was home to the beliefs of the times will be characters portrayed in examined, as well as seeing the Newberry Award the grave sites of some winning book, The interesting former residents. Finally, step back in time Witch of Blackbird Pond by Elizabeth George Speare. and learn the customs and traditions of 19th century Various characters in the book will be discussed with mourning practices and how illnesses were treated in the insights into what their life was like. Isaac Stevens House.

Late 18th Century Thanksgiving Dinner Sunday, November 11th, 12:00 – 2:30 p.m.

Mark your calendars for the second annual Thanksgiving Dinner. Local food historian Paul Courchaine is again collaborating with Ascot Catering to present a traditional dinner featuring venison pie, roasted goose and turkey, chine of pork, potage of cabbage, leeks and onions, Marlborough and plum puddings and several vegetables. The day begins with a mid-day reception from 12-1 at the Deane House hosted by Mr. and Mrs. Silas Deane. There will be several servants on hand to discuss the history of the holiday and preparations for the feast. Drinks and period hors d’oeuvres will be served as guests enjoy live period music. The dinner bell will ring at 1 p.m. for this classic Thanksgiving dinner, which will be served in the Webb Barn. At dessert, Paul Courchaine will discuss period foods and the choices he made for the menu. Fresh ingredients, mouthwatering flavors and a perfect historic setting will provide an unforgettable holiday dining experience for your family and friends. Cost for this event is $75 per person. Tours of the museum will be held at no charge following the event. The barn will not be open until 1 p.m.

Saturday, November 3rd – Sunday, November 25th Thanksgiving Tours at the .

Saturdays, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. and Sundays, 1-4 p.m.

Learn about Thanksgiving traditions in Colonial America every weekend throughout the month of November at the Silas Deane House. Visitors will experience the holiday in the 18th century. Connecticut was the first colony to make the Thanksgiving an annual observance. This tour reveals how a prosperous family like the Deane’s celebrated it in the 18th century by showing the various activities that took place in the home that day. The front parlor is set up for games and family entertainment; a bountiful holiday feast is being prepared in the kitchen; and the dining room is almost ready for the meal later in the day.

Enjoy Great Holiday Shopping at the Museum!

rd Friday, November 23 ,10-4 p.m. Thursday, December 6th, 6-9 p.m. Black Friday! Museum Shop open to the Public Third Annual Holidays on Main!

Old Wethersfield celebrates the holiday

season with shops, restaurants, and other

attractions open in the historic area. The Webb Barn will be open for refreshments

and a silent auction featuring a dazzling display of holiday trees and wreaths.

The shop is open without charge. For Begin your holiday shopping on “Black Friday” in our more information about this event visit the museum shop. This year the shop will feature ornaments, Chamber’s website at candles, advent calendars, holiday"poppers,” small gifts, www.wethersfieldchamber.com accessories, jewelry and other fun items for the holiday se ason.

Museum Gift Shop Hours for the Holiday Season:

The Museum shop will be open for your shopping pleasure Friday, November 23rd – Sunday, January 6th, Saturdays and weekdays, except Tuesdays, 10 a.m.- 4 p.m., Sundays 1-4 p.m. Our after holiday sale will begin December 26th and run through January 6th.

Friday, December 14th, 5-8 p.m. Holiday Preview Party!

Admission for the evening is $25. Advanced reservations are encouraged.

Marvel at the three homes decked out in their holiday finery by candlelight. Enjoy great food and drink and period decorations in all three houses. In the Silas Deane House and the Isaac Stevens House guests will enjoy live period music. In the guests will be entertained by the sounds of Hot Cat Jazz. In the Stevens House view Christmas as it was in the 1820s and enjoy a festive display of dolls and toys. Learn about how New Year’s Day was celebrated in the 18th century at the Deane House and experience a 20th century holiday featuring an array of decorations using handmade greens and fruit at the Webb House. Holiday cheer will be abundant!

Saturday, December 15th – Sunday, January 6th Three Centuries of Christmas at the Webb-Deane-Stevens Museum

Open for tours daily 10 a.m.-4 p.m. with the exception of Tuesday. Open Sunday’s 1-4 p.m. Regular admission rates apply. The museum will close at 2 p.m. on Christmas and New Years Eve.

The three homes of the Webb-Deane-Stevens Museum will put on their holiday cheer with tours that re-create the festivities of centuries past. Beautifully decorated trees and lavish party displays will get you in the holiday spirit. Guides will discuss the history of Christmas and New Year’s traditions.

The Museum is open May-October, Saturdays and weekdays except Tuesday, 10-4; Sundays 1-4. April and November, weekends only: Saturday 10-4, Sunday 1-4. Last tour at 3:30 p.m. (half-hour Highlights Tour.) also open in December for Holiday Tours beginning December 15th, Saturdays and weekdays, except Tuesday, 10-4; Sundays 1-4. Please call 860-529-0612 or visit our website www.webb-deane- stevens.org for details. The museum shop is open during regular holiday hours.