Haddam Historical Society Newsletter
February 16, 2016 News and Events
In This Issue
Felting Workshop
Auction
Haddam's Bad Boy
Antiques Show
Quick Links


Like us on Facebook





Greetings, 

A couple of interesting events and programs coming up. This Sunday we are offering a creative program and making  felted landscapes with fiber artist and long time member Vivienne McGarry of Haddam Neck. Vivienne and her husband,  Bob run one of Haddam's last working farms and produce outstanding fiber products from raw material to the finished  product.

On March 3, Cynthia Goetz will present a thought provoking program on John Cook who was born and raised in the  house directly across the street from the museum. Cynthia a retired mid-wife has been researching the Cook Family  since she first acquired the property over a decade ago and has traveled the country digging around and doing  speaking engagements. John Cook was a member of John Brown's Army who were responsible for the raid on Harpers  Ferry. Cook spent time in Kansas before going to Harpers Ferry as a "scout". Following the raid he was hanged along  with John Brown. Cynthia is a wonderful speaker and story teller and I encourage you to attend.

Although most historic homes in town don't have such a remarkable story they all have tales worth  recording. I recently found out that a previous owner of my house caught German spies during WWI before retiring to  Haddam Neck to raise peonies and chickens. I am collecting as much information as I can and will pass along to the next  owner with instructions that it remain with the house. 

 
Elizabeth Malloy
Haddam Historical Society
 
Felting Workshop * February 21, 2016

Needle felt a 5x7 landscape "painting"
Vivienne McGarry, fiber artist, of Cold Goats Farm in Haddam Neck will lead a workshop to create a felted landscape  suitable for framing.

For this workshop attendees are asked to bring pictures of landscapes (photos, paintings or drawings, the more the  better) with elements they would like to incorporate in their felted picture. The museum will have examples also 
available for you to use.

This project isn't made up in kit form. All the supplies will be provided for you to finish your painting in class.


February 21, 2016
1 pm
Thankful Arnold House Museum, 14 Hayden Hill Road, Haddam, CT
Cost $15
Call Today for reservations

860-345-2400






Haddam Neck Overmantle
for Sale at upcoming Auction

We recently discovered that an overmantle from the Josiah and Ansel Brainerd House in Haddam Neck will be up for   auction this coming weekend at Skinner Auctions in Massachusetts. The estimated price is $30,000 to $50,000  although a few of us think it may go for a lot more. It appears the overmantle (a decorative painting installed  over a fireplace mantle) was removed from the house in 1981. Below is a write up from the auction catalogue.

Polychrome Decorated Overmantel Painting on Pine, Haddam Neck, Connecticut, c. 1815, composed of two joined pine boards with chamfered edges thought to depict a stylized  representation of the capture of the United States frigate President by the British frigate Endymion on January 15, 1815.

Provenance: Originally mounted in a home built by Josiah Brainerd, Jr. 1739-1805 and his son Ansel 1765-1840 at Haddam Neck, Connecticut in 1792. In 1901 Josiah Brainerd's great grandson Cyprian S. Brainerd Jr. corresponded with historian Charles W. Noyes regarding the painting. Noyes drafted a lengthy letter regarding his thought on  the painting and included an excerpt from a naval history text describing the engagement. The painting remained in-situ in the Brainerd House at Haddam Neck until it was removed in 1981 by the consignor. $30,000 to 50,000.

If any of our members are interested in making a generous donation to the society we would be more than happy to  hang the overmantle in a prominent location here at the museum with large plaque. 

I won't lie that I am upset that it was removed from the house in the first place or that a piece of local history  is being sold off for a tremendous amount of money. It would be nice if a sister history organization- Connecticut 
Historical Society or Wadsworth could purchase it and share it with the public.
Here's to wishing.......


YOUNG MEN, GUNS & TERROR
Thursday, March 3, 2016 *7 pm
Higganum Community Center * 7 Candlewood Hill Road *Higganum, CT
FREE ADMISSION

A talk about Haddam's most infamous (yet unknown) hometown boy, John Cook and his time in Kansas with abolitionist  John Brown and his army.
Cynthia Goetz, owner of the Cook Homestead in Haddam, has been researching the dashing John Cook and his story for  years and recently visited Kansas to learn about his time there before his move to Harpers Ferry and the raid on 
the Arsenal. Join us to hear more about this handsome, reckless, impulsive man and the fanatical movement he  joined.


The 43rd Connecticut Spring Antiques Show

March 19 and 20, 2016
Saturday 10-5; Sunday 11-4

Hartford Armory, 360 Broad Street, Hartford, CT

Admission- $15, Free Parking


The Connecticut Spring Antiques Show, "an American treasure trove", returns to the landmark Hartford Armory on  March 19 and 20, 2016. 

Long known and admired for its focus on pre-1840 American furniture and decorative objects, the show will feature  over 60 of New England's and the nation's most respected antiques dealers. This year the show is adding folk art to  compliment the early American pieces and accessories to attract a larger audience and provide a wider selection of  outstanding and unique objects.

The show not only attracts long-time serious collections but strives to invite and educate both young and new  collectors and those who have a passion for American decorative arts and furnishings. The show will also feature  educational programs that should interest the majority of attendees. There will be a catered tea room on site. On 
Sunday, March 20 visitor's age 35 and young receive free admission to the show.


AMERICAN FOLK ART: THE FANCY AND FANTASY
Bev Norwood, The Norwoods' Spirit of America
Saturday, 2 pm

FURNITURE RESTORATION 101
Jim Gozzo, Gozzo Antiques and Restorations
Sunday,1 pm"Looking at the Details"

A GLIMPSE INTO THE SPECIAL FOLK ART ELEMENTS OF ANTIQUES
John Chaski
Sunday,2 pm

For more information please visit www.ctspringantiquesshow.com or find us on Facebook.
2016 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
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
Jack's Country Kitchen, Higganum
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