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DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260414T180000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260414T200000
DTSTAMP:20260423T075640
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SUMMARY:WDS BOOK CLUB | Life Along The Hudson: The Historic Country Estates of the Livingston Family
DESCRIPTION:Calling all bookworms\, history buffs\, preservationists and culture mavens! Join us for our NEW year-long book club\, accompanied by a lecture series with acclaimed authors.\nThis month we’re reading:  \nLife Along The Hudson: The Historic Country Estates of the Livingston Family\nBy Pieter Estersohn \nTuesday\, April 14\, 6 pm | In Person and Virtual \nModerated by TR Revella-Hamilton\, WDS Director of Preservation & Collections \nMeet fellow history enthusiasts in person as we discuss thought-provoking books by acclaimed authors. Our carefully curated monthly selections delve into the rich tapestry of American and European history\, featuring compelling works about revolutionary figures\, historic preservation\, decorative arts\, and stories that shaped our cultural landscape. Whether you’re a seasoned historian\, preservation enthusiast\, or simply curious about the stories behind our built heritage\, there’s a place for you in our community of learners. \nJOIN BOOK CLUB \n\nHow it Works: Book Club meets bimonthly at the Museum and via Zoom on the second Tuesday of each designated month\, unless otherwise noted. Book Club members will receive the newest book title via email two months prior to the book club date. You may join Book Club at any point during the year. Come when you can – there is no penalty for missing a session. \nBook Club 2026 “Library Card” Annual Fee*: $25 General | $20 Museum Members | $15 Students \nYour Book Club Library Card entitles you to in-person and virtual Book Club sessions\, as well as discounted admission to the accompanying Book Talks lecture series held on Thursdays at the Museum.
URL:https://wdsmuseum.org/event/wds-book-club-life-along-the-hudson-the-historic-country-estates-of-the-livingston-family/
LOCATION:WDS Museum\, 211 Main Street\, Wethersfield\, CT\, 06109
CATEGORIES:Learning Series,Members,Book Club
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260409T190000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260409T200000
DTSTAMP:20260423T075640
CREATED:20260213T163320Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260226T044001Z
UID:10000108-1775761200-1775764800@wdsmuseum.org
SUMMARY:LECTURE | America's Tapestry: Fiber Arts & The Revolution
DESCRIPTION:LECTURE | America’s Tapestry: Fiber Arts & The Revolution with Stefan Romero of America’s Tapestry\, a collaborative community embroidery project \nThursday\, April 9\, 7 PM \nBuy Tickets \nJoin WDS and America’s Tapestry to learn about the prominent role needle art is playing in our nation’s upcoming 250th anniversary. America’s Tapestry founder and director Stefan Romero will discuss the creation of this collaborative community embroidery project\, highlighting lesser-known stories from the American Revolution. Get a deep dive on everything from panel design to the stories of those who are working on bringing these incredible embroideries to life. From finding inspiration in the Scottish Borders to grassroots organizing in the United States\, hear the story of how this ambitious project came to life. \nTickets: $15 |$12.50 Virtual | $10 Members \nThis lecture will be offered in person and via Zoom. \n*Zoom link will be provided in advance of the lecture. \n  \nStefan Romero | Director and Founder of America’s Tapestry Stefan Romero is a graduate of Carnegie Mellon University’s prestigious College of Fine Arts\, where he specialized in the dress and textiles of Colonial America. As a Fulbright Scholar\, Stefan deepened his understanding of the discipline through his Masters Degree at the University of Glasgow in Scotland. In collaboration with William & Mary (VA)\, Seton Hill University (PA)\, and a number of carefully selected historical and craft organizations\, Stefan is creating a unique exhibition: “America’s Tapestry”. To learn more about America’s Tapestry\, please visit www.americastapestry.com.
URL:https://wdsmuseum.org/event/lecture-250-americas-tapestry-fiber-arts-the-revolution/
LOCATION:WDS Museum\, 211 Main Street\, Wethersfield\, CT\, 06109
CATEGORIES:Learning Series,Lecture,Members,Antiques & Collectibles,Colonial History,America 250
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END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260312T190000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260312T210000
DTSTAMP:20260423T075640
CREATED:20260122T193551Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260309T173254Z
UID:10000094-1773342000-1773349200@wdsmuseum.org
SUMMARY:LECTURE | Beyond Blue and White: The Hidden Women of Delftware
DESCRIPTION:Beyond Blue and White: The Hidden Women of Delftware\nWDS Book Talk with Genevieve Wheeler Brown \nThursday\, March 12\, 7:00 PM \nThis lecture is offered in person and via ZOOM. Please purchase virtual tickets prior to 4:00 PM on the day of the lecture to ensure you receive the link.  \nPurchase Tickets\n  \nWhen over seventy-five pieces of rare Delftware were discovered in a historic Manhattan townhouse\, decorative art expert Genevieve Wheeler Brown recognized these exquisite ceramics held secrets overlooked for centuries. Join us for an illustrated journey through the hidden history of this beloved art form and the remarkable women who shaped it. \nThrough vivid images of 17th and 18th century treasures—puzzle jugs\, flower pyramids\, Persian blue teapots\, and ornate tiles—Brown reveals the stories of female factory owners like Barbara Rotteveel\, who founded “The Three Bells” in 1671\, and royal patron Queen Mary II\, whose passion for blue and white ceramics sparked a decorative revolution. Discover how pioneering American collectors Mrs. J. Pierpont Morgan and Mrs. Cornelius Vanderbilt II laid the groundwork for women in museums while preserving decorative arts for future generations. \nPart art history\, part detective story\, this presentation celebrates the artistry and forceful female lives behind one of the world’s most coveted ceramics. \nTickets: $15 | $12.50 Virtual | $10 Members \nThis lecture will be offered in person and via Zoom. \n*Zoom link will be provided in advance of the lecture. \nAbout the Author: As a decorative art advisor and writer with over thirty years in the art world\, including a decade with Christie’s in New York and London\, Genevieve Wheeler Brown has been actively involved in the community of Delftware. She has also participated on the Antiques Roadshow as an appraiser with an eye out for overlooked “treasure.” In her role\, she has held innumerable objects\, from fake Stradivari violins to gold-mounted Faberge eggs\, considering their value but also the stories they can tell. Beyond Blue and White has been named an NPR Here & Now Editors’ Pick!\, The Art Newspaper‘s Book Bag Selection and recently received glowing reviews by the Magazine ANTIQUES and The Wall Street Journal. \n 
URL:https://wdsmuseum.org/event/lecture-beyond-blue-and-white-the-hidden-women-of-delftware/
LOCATION:WDS Museum\, 211 Main Street\, Wethersfield\, CT\, 06109
CATEGORIES:Learning Series,Lecture,Members,Antiques & Collectibles,Book Club
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://wdsmuseum.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/20-Peacock-dish-scaled.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20251120T190000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20251120T190000
DTSTAMP:20260423T075640
CREATED:20250831T195235Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20251112T015421Z
UID:10000075-1763665200-1763665200@wdsmuseum.org
SUMMARY:LECTURE | Coming Home: The Story of a Tulip and Sunflower Chest With Pat Kane
DESCRIPTION:Purchase Tickets \nRenowned decorative arts scholar Pat Kane reveals the remarkable story of Connecticut’s Wethersfield chest tradition in this specialized lecture. Explore the intersection of artistry\, craftsmanship\, and cultural identity through these colonial masterpieces that represent some of America’s finest early furniture making. Kane’s expertise illuminates how these functional objects reflect broader patterns of settlement\, trade\, and artistic expression in the Connecticut River Valley\, making them invaluable windows into colonial American life and\naesthetics. \nTickets: General Admission $15| Members $10 | Jenrette Society & Students $5 \nBio | Patricia E. Kane\, Friends of American Arts Curator of American Decorative Arts at the Yale University Art Gallery\, has been at Yale since receiving her M.A. from the University of Delaware\, Winterthur Program in Early American Culture in 1968. The topic of her Master’s thesis was the seventeenth-century joined furniture of Hartford County.  She received her Ph.D. in art history from Yale in 1987. She oversees collections of American decorative arts and design that range from the seventeenth century to the present.  Since 2002 she has directed the Rhode Island Furniture Archive at the Yale University Art Gallery that documents furniture making in Rhode Island from 1650 to 1830. The results of this research are disseminated through a website\, https://americandecorativearts.yale.edu/ \, hosted by Jstor\, and Art and Industry in Early America: Rhode Island Furniture 1650–1830\, a publication for a 2016 exhibition at the Art Gallery. In addition to ongoing research on early Rhode Island furniture\, she has collaborated with scientists at Yale to identify the different species of mahogany used in early American furniture. \n 
URL:https://wdsmuseum.org/event/lecture-masterworks-in-wood-understanding-wethersfields-furniture-legacy-with-pat-kane/
LOCATION:CT
CATEGORIES:Learning Series,Lecture,Antiques & Collectibles,Preservation
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END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20250726T100000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20250726T160000
DTSTAMP:20260423T075640
CREATED:20250618T031744Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250717T163828Z
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SUMMARY:Traditional Trades Fair
DESCRIPTION:Step into the world of master craftspeople and discover the time-honored skills that built America. On Saturday\, July 26th from 10 am to 4 pm\, Webb Deane Stevens Museum opens its doors to showcase the traditional trades that keep our historic treasures alive. \nWatch skilled artisans demonstrate timber framing\, roofing techniques\, and master carpentry as they work on our own preservation projects\, including the major roof replacement currently underway on the historic Webb House. Experience the artistry of women’s traditional work through textile demonstrations\, weaving\, and historic loom operations. Learn the meticulous craft of paint stripping and restoration that reveals centuries of hidden history. \nThis hands-on day welcomes everyone—whether you’re a preservation enthusiast\, restoring your own historic home\, or simply fascinated by traditional craftsmanship. Bring the whole family to witness skills passed down through generations\, where visual beauty and uncompromising quality were not just ideals\, but the standard. \nSaturday\, July 26 | 10 am – 4 pm\nWebb Barn\, Old Wethersfield\nDemonstrations\, workshops\, and family-friendly activities \nTickets: $10 | $8 Members \nExperience the dedication and artistry that preservation requires\, and discover why these traditional trades remain essential to protecting our architectural heritage. \nMade possible with the generous support of the Richard Hampton Jenrette Foundation
URL:https://wdsmuseum.org/event/the-art-of-preservation-traditional-trades-day/
LOCATION:WDS Museum\, 211 Main Street\, Wethersfield\, CT\, 06109
CATEGORIES:Learning Series,Workshop,Kids Free,Colonial History,Preservation
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END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20250703T140000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20250703T150000
DTSTAMP:20260423T075640
CREATED:20250618T033404Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250630T181921Z
UID:10000066-1751551200-1751554800@wdsmuseum.org
SUMMARY:Restoration Revealed: Craftsmen at Work
DESCRIPTION:Restoration Revealed: Craftsmen at Work \nStep into living history every Thursday at 2 PM \nWatch master craftsmen breathe new life into centuries-old treasures at WDS Museum’s weekly restoration showcase. From the skilled hands of Mount Vernon’s master carpenter Nathanial Ulfers to rising talent like American College of Building Arts intern Ryan\, witness traditional trades that built America. \nSee history unfold before your eyes: \n\nAn 18th-century loom taking shape timber by timber\nHistoric interiors restored with period-authentic techniques\nThe iconic 1752 Joseph Webb House receiving its new cedar-shake roof\n\nThis isn’t just observation—it’s immersion. Chat directly with our artisans about time-honored methods passed down through generations. Discover the secrets behind mortise-and-tenon joinery\, hand-split shingles\, and authentic colonial finishes that have weathered nearly three centuries. \nEvery Thursday brings something new. Check our social media Thursday mornings to preview the day’s projects\, or simply drop by to be surprised. Whether you’re a history buff\, DIY enthusiast\, or curious about American craftsmanship\, you’ll leave with newfound appreciation for the skills that shaped our nation. \nNo tickets required—just curiosity and a respect for the craft. \nRestoration Revealed: Where the past meets the present\, one careful stroke at a time. \nMade possible with the generous support of the Richard Hampton Jenrette Foundation
URL:https://wdsmuseum.org/event/restoration-revealed-craftsmen-at-work/
LOCATION:WDS Museum\, 211 Main Street\, Wethersfield\, CT\, 06109
CATEGORIES:Learning Series,Workshop,Antiques & Collectibles,Colonial History,Preservation
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://wdsmuseum.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/ACBA-Intern-.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20250522T190000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20250522T200000
DTSTAMP:20260423T075640
CREATED:20250512T202433Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250512T204206Z
UID:10000058-1747940400-1747944000@wdsmuseum.org
SUMMARY:VIRTUAL LECTURE | Victorian-Era Colonial Revival: Late 19th Century Furniture of New York Cabinetmakers Matthew Meier & Ernest Hagen
DESCRIPTION:VIRTUAL LECTURE \nJoin us for an exclusive virtual lecture* with Grant S. Quertermous\, Curator & Director of Collections at the Richard Hampton Jenrette Foundation\, as he delves into the history and craftsmanship of a remarkable 1892 Meier & Hagen mirror from the Webb Deane Stevens Museum’s collection\, and the evolution of Meier & Hagen furniture. \nThe mirror was produced by Meier & Hagen in 1892 and is on display in our new exhibition: Out of The Attic: A Century of Collecting. \nThursday May 22nd\, 7:00 pm \nMembers: $10 \nNon-Members: $15 \n*Zoom link will be provided in advance of the lecture. \nGrant Quertermous | Grant Quertermous is the Curator and Director of Collections for the Richard Hampton Jenrette Foundation (formerly Classical American Homes Preservation Trust)\, a position he has held since 2020. He previously served as Curator at Tudor Place Historic House and Garden\, a National Historic Landmark in the Georgetown neighborhood of Washington\, D.C. for five years and prior to that he was the Assistant Curator at James Madison’s Montpelier for nine years during its major restoration and furnishing project. He holds an undergraduate degree in history from Murray State University and a Master’s Degree in Anthropology from the University of South Carolina. His book\, A Georgetown Life\, the Reminiscences of Britannia Wellington Peter Kennon of Tudor Place was published by Georgetown University Press in 2020. \n  \nThis lecture is generously supported by the Richard Hampton Jenrette Foundation. 
URL:https://wdsmuseum.org/event/virtual-lecture-victorian-era-colonial-revival-late-19th-century-furniture-of-new-york-cabinetmakers-matthew-meier-ernest-hagen/
LOCATION:WDS Museum\, 211 Main Street\, Wethersfield\, CT\, 06109
CATEGORIES:Learning Series,Lecture,Antiques & Collectibles
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END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20250311T180000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20250311T200000
DTSTAMP:20260423T075640
CREATED:20250220T204840Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250224T192942Z
UID:10000052-1741716000-1741723200@wdsmuseum.org
SUMMARY:WDS BOOK CLUB | Julia Morgan: An Intimate Biography of the Trailblazing Architect
DESCRIPTION:This month we’re reading:  \nJulia Morgan: An Intimate Biography of the Trailblazing Architect by Victoria Kastner \nTuesday\, March 11\, 6 pm | In Person and Virtual \nModerated by TR Revella-Hamilton\, WDS Director of Preservation & Collections \nMeet fellow history enthusiasts in person as we discuss thought-provoking books by acclaimed authors. Our carefully curated monthly selections delve into the rich tapestry of American and European history\, featuring compelling works about revolutionary figures\, historic preservation\, decorative arts\, and stories that shaped our cultural landscape. Whether you’re a seasoned historian\, preservation enthusiast\, or simply curious about the stories behind our built heritage\, there’s a place for you in our community of learners. \nJOIN BOOK CLUB \n\nHow it Works: Book Club meets monthly at the Museum on the second Tuesday of each month\, unless otherwise noted. You may join Book Club at any point during the year. Come when you can – there is no penalty for missing a session. \nBook Club 2025 “Library Card” Annual Fee*: $25 General | $20 Museum Members | $15 Students \nYour Book Club Library Card entitles you to twelve in-person Book Club sessions\, as well as discounted admission to the accompanying Book Talks lecture series held on Thursdays at the Museum.
URL:https://wdsmuseum.org/event/wds-book-club-julia-morgan-an-intimate-biography-of-the-trailblazing-architect/
LOCATION:CT
CATEGORIES:Learning Series,Book Club
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://wdsmuseum.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Book-Club-Website-Banner.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20250211T180000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20250211T200000
DTSTAMP:20260423T075640
CREATED:20250130T221511Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250204T033358Z
UID:10000048-1739296800-1739304000@wdsmuseum.org
SUMMARY:WDS BOOK CLUB: | The Bookshop
DESCRIPTION:Monthly | Every Second Tuesday\, 6 pm\nModerated by TR Revella-Hamilton\, WDS Director of Preservation & Collections\nFeb 11 | We’re reading The Bookshop: A History of the American Book Store by Evan Friss \nDiscover hidden stories of America’s past\, cultural heritage\, and architectural treasures with our new WDS book club\, led by Director of Preservation & Collections TR Revella-Hamilton. \nJourney through time as we explore fascinating narratives from trailblazing architects like Julia Morgan to the preservation adventures of historic New England homes. Step through the page and into new worlds to encounter witch trials and colonial intrigue\, unsolved Victorian murders that inspired literary classics\, and gripping tales of resistance against slavery in George Washington’s own household. \nMeet fellow history enthusiasts in person as we discuss thought-provoking books by acclaimed authors. Our carefully curated monthly selections delve into the rich tapestry of American and European history\, featuring compelling works about revolutionary figures\, historic preservation\, decorative arts\, and stories that shaped our cultural landscape. Whether you’re a seasoned historian\, preservation enthusiast\, or simply curious about the stories behind our built heritage\, there’s a place for you in our community of learners. \nHow it Works \nBook Club meets monthly at the Museum on the second Tuesday of each month\, unless otherwise noted. Book Club members will receive the newest book title via email one month prior to the book club date. You may join Book Club at any point during the year. Come when you can – there is no penalty for missing a session. \nBook Club 2025 “Library Card” Annual Fee*: \n$25 General | $20 Museum Members | $15 Students \nYour Book Club Library Card entitles you to twelve in-person Book Club sessions\, as well as discounted admission to the accompanying Book Talks lecture series held on Thursdays at the Museum. \n*Book Club funds support educational and interpretive programming at the Museum. Book Club Library Card fee is for the year\, regardless of when you join and will not be prorated. Thank you for your support.
URL:https://wdsmuseum.org/event/wds-book-club/
LOCATION:WDS Museum\, 211 Main Street\, Wethersfield\, CT\, 06109
CATEGORIES:Learning Series,Book Club
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://wdsmuseum.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Book-Club-Website-Banner.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20240912T180000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20240912T200000
DTSTAMP:20260423T075640
CREATED:20240906T125622Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20240906T130027Z
UID:10000047-1726164000-1726171200@wdsmuseum.org
SUMMARY:LECTURE | Other People's Stuff: How the Spectacle of House Museums Can Bring Us Together and Teach Us Empathy
DESCRIPTION:You don’t have to believe the country is falling apart to notice Americans struggling to come together. Last year the U.S. Surgeon General issued an advisory report on our “epidemic of loneliness\,” a dark flip side to the loud and impassioned public dialogue that has become a hallmark of 21st-century life. Meanwhile\, we give less than ever to charity\, belong to fewer organizations\, and distance ourselves from the categories and etiquette that once defined individuals’ relationships to a larger community. We want to be seen and heard\, and yet we sometimes lack the tools and patience to see and hear one another. \nFrom the neuroscience of spatial experience to the awe inspired by thinking across expanses of time\, house museums hold powerful means to opening our minds. If we treat them as laboratories rather than as repositories of information\, they can teach us to look closely at the residue of the past and use multiple kinds of intelligence to grasp the complexity of the human relationships intertwined with it. A century ago\, old rooms and their furnishings were part of a bold new strategy in museums to lift up society by drawing attention to the objects that surround us. This lecture\, adapted from an address last winter at the Colonial Williamsburg Antiques Forum\, focuses on the ways in which our national treasures in Historic Wethersfield can help us observe\, listen\, and relate to one another with the same curiosity and respect we accord to people of the past.
URL:https://wdsmuseum.org/event/lecture-other-peoples-stuff-how-the-spectacle-of-house-museums-can-bring-us-together-and-teach-us-empathy/
LOCATION:WDS Museum\, 211 Main Street\, Wethersfield\, CT\, 06109
CATEGORIES:Learning Series,Lecture,Members
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20231104T090000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20231104T170000
DTSTAMP:20260423T075640
CREATED:20230823T164650Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20231024T182133Z
UID:10000036-1699088400-1699117200@wdsmuseum.org
SUMMARY:Country House Conference
DESCRIPTION:The 2023 Country House Conference comes to Webb Deane Stevens the first weekend of November\, with a daylong symposium and two days of touring house museums and private homes in Greater Hartford and along the Connecticut shoreline. The Webb\, Deane\, and Stevens Houses may not look much like country houses at a glance\, situated at the center of Old Wethersfield\, but the day’s speakers will explore a wider understanding of the “country” as a place of escape and imagination. During the 20th century\, thanks to automobile travel and influencers like Wallace Nutting\, historic towns and their houses became as much an escape as rural byways. The program includes a lecture by WDS Executive Director Brenton Grom. \nThis conference is an annual production of the American Country House Foundation and has been underwritten in 2023 by the Classical American Homes Preservation Trust. \nNovember 3-5\, 2023\, with a symposium at the Webb Deane Stevens Museum on November 4. Registration cost: $65 per person. Ticket price includes lectures\, lunch\, a reception\, and house tours. Purchase tickets here. \nFull Schedule: \nDay 1: House tours – Hill-Stead\, Chick Austin\, Russell House\, Wetmore House \nDay 2: Conference Day\, Webb Deane Stevens \n09:00 AM – Doors Open – Attendees register\, coffee\, and breakfast desserts (muffins\, pastry etc.) \n09:25 AM – Welcome \n09:30 AM – Lecture 1 – Wetmore House and Early Connecticut Houses \n10:15 AM – Lecture 2  – Asher Benjamin and Ithiel Town \n10:45 AM – Lecture 3  – Lockwood-Mathews Mansion \n11:30 PM – Lecture 4 – Hill-Stead \n12:15 PM – Lunch Break \n01:00 PM – Lecture 5 – Wallace Nutting and the Colonial Revival Movement \n01:50 PM – Lecture 6 – Glass House \n02:30 PM – Tour of. Webb House\, Deane House\, Stevens House\,Buttolph-Williams House \n05:00 PM – Evening reception \nDay 3: Pardee-Morris\, Florence Griswold\, Hempstead Houses
URL:https://wdsmuseum.org/event/country-house-conference/
LOCATION:WDS Museum\, 211 Main Street\, Wethersfield\, CT\, 06109
CATEGORIES:Learning Series
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ORGANIZER;CN="WDS Museum":MAILTO:info@wdsmuseum.org
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20231012T183000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20231012T203000
DTSTAMP:20260423T075640
CREATED:20230808T173806Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20231006T154750Z
UID:10000030-1697135400-1697142600@wdsmuseum.org
SUMMARY:Potions\, Divination\, and Protection Practices Through the Ages
DESCRIPTION:Did you know that Eye of Newt refers to the humble mustard seed? Have you ever worn jewelry you believed would protect you or displayed a cinnamon broom in your home? Maybe placed a horseshoe above your front door. Or that a popular form of countermagic in Colonial New England entailed heating a victim’s urine in a bottle\, sometimes with nails and pins to counteract a negative spell? \nLearn how ‘potions\,” divination\, and cleansing/protection practices have evolved through the ages and how they are still being used today. Discover how plants such as those found in the Webb Deane Stevens Colonial Revival Garden could be made into healing elixirs\, how the role of folk magic\, divination through celestial and earthly events\, dream interpretation\, and indigenous influences shaped Colonial New England\, and the importance of balancing\, cleansing and protecting your energy and light essence. \nThis program is presented by Mystic Reiki Healing\, Moonlit Path Healing\, and The Replanted Witch in collaboration with The Blackbird House. \nReception: 6 pm / Program: 6:30 – 8:30 pm. Tickets available HERE. \nPotions: Rachel Star Koladis\, The Replanted Witch \nAs early as the 15th century\, the word “potion” was understood to be a magical consumable liquid. They might be concoctions used to heal\, bewitch\, or poison people\, made by a witch or other magical practitioner. Popular examples included preparations for attracting love or inducing a deep sleep. Witches and potions have become intertwined within the popular imagination\, but why did the two become associated? There are hints in historical images of women wearing pointy hats\, over a bubbling cauldron dating back to Medieval times\, and in Greek mythology we find the story of Circe teaching herself how to use powerful herbs prepared as drinks or stews. Women have enjoyed a long association with potion making through the ages\, as healers\, alewives\, and witches. Learn more about this fascinating history\, as well as some of the plants found in the Webb Deane Stevens gardens that could have been used now and then for traditional healing and potions. \nThe Role of Folk Magic and Divination in Colonial New England: Erin Touponse\, Mystic Reiki Healing  \nIn Colonial New England\, nothing was certain; at any given time\, death could strike\, the earth could tremble\, and crops could fail. Early settlers depended on ancient folk magic\, astrology\, divination\, and dreams/visions to assist in bringing order and sense to a time when personal and collective security was not prevalent. Learn how the role of folk magic\, divination through celestial and earthly events\, dream interpretation\, and indigenous influences shaped Colonial New England. \nCleansing & Protection Practices: Victoria Selden Moonlit Path Healing \nNo matter the walk of life you come from\, magick can be found in even the smallest mundane aspects of life. Throughout the ages\, we have found a variety of ways to relish the magick in our lives\, but not without polarity. Light and dark\, positive and negative\, yin and yang. Learn the importance of balancing\, cleansing and protecting your energy and light essence. \nTHE PRESENTERS \nAbout Rachel Star Koladis \nWitchcraft and magic have been dominant forces from an early age and Rachel’s free time was spent practicing spells with her best friends. A natural offshoot of this interest is her passion for history\, which was fostered as a homeschooler and attending every available program at the Webb Deane Stevens Museum – including colonial summer camp. During her college years\, Rachel haunted the campus shrouded in her handmade woolen cape and took the only class she could find in witchcraft at The University of Hartford. At Trinity College\, she worked to research and prepare a working bibliography on witchcraft-related holdings at the Watkinson Library on campus. After getting her certification as a vegan chef at The Natural Gourmet and studying herbalism with Rosemary Gladstar\, her path became clearer. She started offering Witchcraft 101 workshops and hosting a book group called Witchy Reads at The Blackbird House in Wethersfield. In the future\, she plans to offer a moveable supper club in celebration of The Wheel of the Year. In her free time\, you can find Rachel foraging\, researching plants and remedies\, visiting historic sites\, whipping up kitchen magic\, and practicing her needlework. \nAbout Erin Touponse \nErin Touponse owns The Blackbird House in Old Wethersfield.  She is a Reiki Master/Teacher\, Pranic healer\, Certified End of Life Specialist\, Tarot Scholar\, Student of Shamanic Studies\, author\, and poet. Her book\, Soul’s Journey – A Practical Guide to Reading the Tarot\, was published in early 2023. Erin teaches Usui Reiki\, Tarot\, and Intuitive Development classes\, and offers guided meditation and sound healing group classes with her husband\, Marcel Touponse. \nAbout Victoria Selden \nVictoria Selden is a Reiki Master\, Oracle Reader\, and Intuitive Guide with Moonlit Path Healing. She leads workshops on Spiritual Cleansing & Protection and Moon Magick at The Blackbird House. Victoria is a long-standing student of esoteric and magickal works and loves learning and teaching to help others on their healing path.
URL:https://wdsmuseum.org/event/potions-divination-and-protection-practices-through-the-ages/
LOCATION:WDS Museum\, 211 Main Street\, Wethersfield\, CT\, 06109
CATEGORIES:Learning Series
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ORGANIZER;CN="WDS Museum":MAILTO:info@wdsmuseum.org
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20230615T180000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20230615T193000
DTSTAMP:20260423T075640
CREATED:20230427T152826Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20230615T183237Z
UID:10000026-1686852000-1686857400@wdsmuseum.org
SUMMARY:Enslaved for Life: A Research Update on the Life of Prince Mortimer with John Mills
DESCRIPTION:***WE HAVE REACHED FULL CAPACITY FOR THIS PROGRAM. Thank you for your interest.*** Community Historian John Mills returns with a detailed update on his extensive research into the life of Connecticut’s Prince Mortimer\, a slave from Guinea who was brought to New England in 1730 when he was six years old and died at the age of 110 in 1834 while serving a life sentence at the Wethersfield prison. John will also talk about several upcoming projects surrounding individuals with similar untold stories. FREE. \n6-6:30pm Wine and Cheese Reception (A suggested donation of $5 is welcomed.) \n6:30-7:30pm Presentation \nAbout John \nOriginally from San Diego\, John Mills is a technologist by trade\, but a genealogist and equity advocate by passion. The descendant of both southern and northern slaves\, as well as the descendant of slave holders due to their relationships with female slaves\, John focuses on unearthing little known people and stories of this country’s history in slavery and the transatlantic slave trade. John’s goal is honor the forgotten\, as well as to apply critical thinking to our history as a means to find solutions to the many ripple effects today.
URL:https://wdsmuseum.org/event/enslaved-for-life-a-research-update-on-the-life-of-prince-mortimer-with-john-mills/
LOCATION:WDS Museum\, 211 Main Street\, Wethersfield\, CT\, 06109
CATEGORIES:Learning Series
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ORGANIZER;CN="WDS Museum":MAILTO:info@wdsmuseum.org
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20230527T100000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20230527T160000
DTSTAMP:20260423T075640
CREATED:20230329T185815Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20230523T145528Z
UID:10000017-1685181600-1685203200@wdsmuseum.org
SUMMARY:Revolutionary War Encampment
DESCRIPTION:Our annual Revolutionary War Encampment will be held on Saturday\, May 27\, from 10 am to 4 pm on the Museum grounds. Join us for a day of free family fun – including reenactments from the 5th Connecticut Regiment\, cooking and marching demonstrations\, period music\, vendors\, and more. Plus\, General George Washington will make an appearance\, accompanied by a very special guest! \nEvent Schedule (Rain or shine!) \n10:00am-4:00pm Demonstrations throughout the day will include: \n• Surgeon’s table\n• Various flag displays\n• Weaving and sewing\n• Soldier’s tent and display of equipment\n• Colonial clothing\n• Open hearth cooking and food\n• Butter churning\n• Colonial music\n• Camp tours and information about the 5th Connecticut regiment and its history \n10:30am Musket and drill demonstration \n11:00am Children’s march with wooden muskets \n1:00pm Battle skirmish with invading British Marines \n2:00pm Cannon firing demonstration \nBig Bear Trading Company will be on site throughout the day selling jewelry\, gear and goods inspired by the 17th – 19th centuries. \nGeorge Washington and his horse\, Nelson\, will make a special guest appearance! \nPLEASE NOTE: All scheduled activities subject to change. \nRegular Museum admission applies for guided house tours and access to exhibitions in the Holcombe Education Center and Kuckro Gallery.
URL:https://wdsmuseum.org/event/revolutionary-war-encampment/
LOCATION:WDS Museum\, 211 Main Street\, Wethersfield\, CT\, 06109
CATEGORIES:Learning Series
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ORGANIZER;CN="WDS Museum":MAILTO:info@wdsmuseum.org
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20230518T180000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20230518T200000
DTSTAMP:20260423T075640
CREATED:20230317T143224Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20230407T143620Z
UID:10000015-1684432800-1684440000@wdsmuseum.org
SUMMARY:Quilts That Make My Heart Sing
DESCRIPTION:When she lectures\, Ed Johnetta Miller talks about how she gets up the next morning to look at her work\, and she says\, “If it doesn’t make my heart sing\, I take my scissors and cut up the quilt and rearrange it until I feel like my heart is zooming along.” \nEnjoy this intimate journey through internationally recognized quilt/fiber artist Ed Johnetta’s work as she shares her influences and stories behind her stunning soulful creations. The presentation begins at 6:30 p.m. and will be preceded by a wine and cheese reception at 6:00 p.m. \nNSCDA-CT & Museum Members: $15 / General Public: $20. Purchase tickets HERE. \nAbout Ed Johnetta Miller: \nEd Johnetta Miller is an internationally recognized quilt/fiber artist working with color\, pattern\, and textures of fabric. She enjoys the freedom\, movement and power given to creating the sculpture of cloth. Combining the various colors\, patterns and weaves of fabric is very exciting to her\, and she tries to make each quilt as simple\, essential\, and direct as she can. She wants viewers to be able to visually enter her quilts and walk through fields of color to the still\, contemplative space within. \nEd Johnetta’s work is like a spiritual journey that allows her to return to the dye table\, sewing machine\, quilting studiously after day with renewed anticipation of what beauty will evolve. At times\, she is surprised with the results of a work that seems to have a life of its own\, in spite of her intent. This reminds her of the truth that she is not in control of the process\, she simply guides it. Ed Johnetta wants her quilts to reflect her positive view of life\, as well as her love of fabric. For her\, life is enriched with diverse experience and amazing opportunities that should be embraced and shared. \nWidely exhibited in the United States and internationally\, Ed Johnetta’s quilts can be found in numerous important museums\, and private collections such as the Renwick Gallery of the Smithsonian Museum of Art\, Washington DC\, The Contemporary Quilt Museum\, Golden Colorado\, The Wadsworth Museum of Art\, Hartford Ct.\, Nelson’s Mandela’s National Museum\, Cape Town\, South Africa\, Safeco Corporation\, Johnson & Johnson Corporation\, Hartford Hospital\, Michigan State University\, Yale-New Haven Children’s Hospital\, US Embassy in Cotonou\, Benin\, WestAfrica; and in 2019\, she was commissioned by theWest Hartford Art League to design five quilts for a mural project on the grounds of the Art League. \n 
URL:https://wdsmuseum.org/event/quilts-that-may-make-heart-sing/
LOCATION:WDS Museum\, 211 Main Street\, Wethersfield\, CT\, 06109
CATEGORIES:Learning Series
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://wdsmuseum.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/EJMILLER-website.jpg
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20230506T103000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20230506T153000
DTSTAMP:20260423T075640
CREATED:20230407T133037Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20230502T182355Z
UID:10000018-1683369000-1683387000@wdsmuseum.org
SUMMARY:Digging Deeper: Stories Told Through Needle and Thread
DESCRIPTION:Join us for an exclusive\, behind-the-scenes exploration of the Webb Deane Stevens Museum’s 18th and 19th century textile collection\, including many never on public display. A companion to our Threaded Voices exhibition\, Museum educators and guides Elizabeth O’Brien and Linda Pagliuco will share the histories behind the schoolgirls’ samplers\, quilted and embroidered bedcovers\, chair seats\, hooked rugs\, clothes\, and accessories. These hand-stitched items were not only made to be useful\, but they were skillfully and artistically created. In a time when educational opportunities for women and girls were limited\, needle and thread became the primary way for their voices to be heard. These examples of functional art ask you to look beyond the surface to understand the visual stories told by these young girls and women. \nDigging Deeper: Stories Told Through Needle and Thread will be offered at 10:30am and 1:30pm. Space is limited to 20 people for each time slot. The two-hour program includes the Threaded Voices exhibition and textile display in the Holcombe Education Center\, the Silas Deane House\, and the Isaac Stevens House. Some periods of prolonged standing and stair-walking will be required\, with seating available before and after the house tours. \nNSCDA-CT & Museum Members: $20 / General Public: $25. Purchase tickets HERE.
URL:https://wdsmuseum.org/event/digging-deeper-stories-told-through-needle-and-thread/
LOCATION:WDS Museum\, 211 Main Street\, Wethersfield\, CT\, 06109
CATEGORIES:Learning Series
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ORGANIZER;CN="WDS Museum":MAILTO:info@wdsmuseum.org
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=UTC:20230211T110000
DTEND;TZID=UTC:20230211T120000
DTSTAMP:20260423T075640
CREATED:20230203T235742Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20230204T001435Z
UID:10000004-1676113200-1676116800@wdsmuseum.org
SUMMARY:Beyond the Basic Sand Shaded Fan: A Demonstration by Bob Van Dyke
DESCRIPTION:$15 General Admission | $10 NSCDA-CT and Museum Members \nJoin Connecticut Valley School of Woodworking Director Bob Van Dyke as he demonstrates for woodworkers new techniques for creating sand shaded fans. \nShaded fans were a common decorative motif in Federal style furniture. They were often inlaid into the corners of tabletops and drawer fronts and were made in many different styles and sizes. The process is fascinating\, and the inlays can be used in all sorts of projects- from a tabletop\, a door panel or a drawer front to a box top or tray. \nAbout Bob: \nAfter 18 years as an award-winning chef in French restaurants\, Bob left the business to begin a career in woodworking and teaching. Furniture making had provided an outlet to the pressures of the restaurant business until 1993 when he started the Harris Enterprise School of Fine Woodworking in Manchester\, Connecticut. In seven years of operation\, the school gained national exposure and recognition \nIn 2000\, Bob formed a business partnership to open the Connecticut Valley School of Woodworking (CVSW) in Manchester. The school was an instant success\, and the demand for classes was so great that a second shop was built to allow two classes to run simultaneously. He continually strives to expand his skills and knowledge and had been studying and building period furniture for over 25 years. He is a Contributing Editor for Fine Woodworking Magazine and has written articles for Woodshop News and American Period Furniture. He has also done many videos for www.finewoodworking.com. Bob’s school offers a variety of classes taught by himself and by many of today’s top woodworking instructors. This variety of instructors and styles ensures that there will be something for everyone at CVSW. \n 
URL:https://wdsmuseum.org/event/beyond-the-basic-sand-shaded-fan-a-demonstration-by-bob-van-dyke/
LOCATION:WDS Museum\, 211 Main Street\, Wethersfield\, CT\, 06109
CATEGORIES:Learning Series
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://wdsmuseum.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/bvd-sharpening-2.jpg
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