Haddam Historical Society Newsletter
News and Events September 14, 2016
The Dig Continues

Our final public digs will be held on Thursday, September 15 starting at 3 pm and Sunday, September 25 starting at 1 pm. This is a great chance to learn about the basics of archaeology and actually get dirty excavating, screening, cleaning and trying to identify the piece.

The midden (garbage dump) was found on the site of the former Arnold House barn which ran along Hayden Hill Road and may have stood as late as the 1950s. We hope the dig will help us determine when the barn came down. Recovered items will also provide a glimpse into the lives of the Arnold Family who occupied the property from 1794 to 1962 and help us better understand how this middle-class Connecticut River Valley Family functioned.

Connecticut Humanities has awarded the Haddam Historical Society a generous grant to conduct six public programs focusing on the dig. Participants will join team members and partake first hand in the excavation to learn basic archaeological procedures, excavating techniques and how to identify and catalogue items. "You can learn a lot about a family by digging through their trash" noted Executive Director, Elizabeth Malloy.

The August digs drew people from all the state and of all ages. We have uncovered many items including glass, ceramic sherds, and nails. Some of the more interesting recently excavated items include a number of gin bottles, enamel pails, glass spoon,  and a Lady Esther's rouge container.  One of the biggest challenges is the large cast iron stove that we hope to remove before the dig is completed.

Bonnie Plourde, our archaeologist, presented our finds at the Haddam Neck Fair and will do a wrap up program in early October. Look for the date soon.

Hope you can join us!
















CALLING ALL ARTISTS!

Bringing Artists and Historic Gardens Together

Connecticut's Historic Gardens group celebrates its annual statewide Historic Gardens Day in June. Artists are invited to submit artwork to be considered for a poster that will advertise the fourteenth annual event in June 2017. The contest connects artists with the beauty of Connecticut's historic homes and their gardens. Feel free to explore the gardens in this group for inspiration.

Deadline for submissions for the 2017 Connecticut's Historic Gardens Day Poster Artwork is October 31, 2016 . The winning artwork will be selected by a jury of the Connecticut's Historic Gardens Group and will be announced before December 15, 2016. The winning poster will be displayed in the Connecticut Historic Gardens booth at the Connecticut Flower Show in Hartford that runs February 23-27, 2017.

For more information about the context visit www.cthistoricgardens.org 
 

Haddam Neck Fair Thank You!

Thank you to everyone who volunteered at the Haddam Neck Fair

Michael Arseneault
Marge DeBold
Sue DeCarli
Stephanie Denkowicz
Mel Ellis
Ron and Mary Alice Matulevich
Amy Roper
Deb Rutter
Terry Smith



Business Members
 Platinum
Middlesex Dental Care/ formerly Higganum Dental Associates

 
Gold
Higganum Veterinary Clinic, Higganum
CSSN: The Center for Children with Special Needs, Glastonbury
Wellstone Farm, Higganum
 
Silver
Higganum Pharmacy, Higganum
Jack's Country Kitchen, Higganum
Johnson Millwork, Haddam Neck
Nehemiah Brainerd Bed and Breakfast
Pampered Pets, Old Saybrook
 Higganum Village Market
 
Standard
Cold Goats Farm, Haddam Neck
CT River Candles
Higganum Heating, Higganum
Matulevich Carpentry, Haddam
David Reiss Seamless Gutters, Haddam
Terri's Package Store, Higganum
Tom Sanders Band, Higganum
Town & Country Nurseries, Haddam
Wiese Enterprises, Higganum

Now available at Thankful's Cupboard!

Thankful's lavender candle and our own lavender in bunches, sachets or loose.