Public Programs & Event Calendar
Click here for tickets to upcoming events!
The Noah Webster House & West Hartford Historical Society offers public programs and events year-round for both children and adults. From exhibit openings to Tavern Nights and kids programs, there is something for everyone. Check back often for updates as some programs may change. Reservations are required for some events. Please call 860.521.5362 x21 for information or reservations unless otherwise noted.
You can buy tickets to most events online.
Coming Events*
Poetry Read-In: Friday, May 10, 7 p.m.
Hear well-known poets Vivian Shipley and Catherine Hoyser. Maria Sassi, West Hartford poet laureate emeritus, will host the evening’s festivities, including an open mic portion.
CSU Distinguished Professor Vivian Shipley teaches at SCSU. Her eighth book of poetry, All of Your Messages Have Been Erased, ( SLU Press, 2010) was nominated for the Pulitzer Prize and won numerous other prizes.
Catherine E. Hoyser has published poetry in the Connecticut Review, Paterson Literary Review and Long River Run, and prose in several other venues. She is professor of English at the University of Saint Joseph in Connecticut.
Poets are encouraged to read their own works during the open mic portion of the evening. Light refreshments will be served. The event is free to the public, but donations will be gratefully accepted.
Meet the Author: Quincy Abbot: Wednesday, May 22, 6 p.m.
As a child, museum member Quincy Abbot was lucky enough to be allowed to read the diary and many letters of his Granduncle Edward Stanley Abbot. In 1972, after Hurricane Agnes flooded his parents’ home in Forty-Fort, PA, he brought a damaged secretary desk back to Connecticut to have it restored. In the drawers of that desk, he found and dried those same letters.
Quincy recently did more research and compiled the letters and family information into “From Schoolboy to Soldier: The Correspondence and Journals of Edward Stanley Abbot, 1853–1863”. In his 21-year life, he kept a journal for nine of those years. His life was cut short after a battle at Little Round Top on July 9, 1863.
One hundred and fifty years later, Edward’s dream of becoming an acknowledged writer came to fruition with the publication of Quincy’s book. The book is available through the Museum Shop. You can learn more about the book and author at www.fromschoolboytosoldier.com.
Quincy will share some of the stories from the book, as well as sign copies. Event is free to the public.
Meet the Author: John Cilio Women's Work in WWII: Thursday, June 6, 7 p.m.
Join us as author John Cilio, who recently published Women's Work in WWII, shares some of the stories that he dug up over six years of research. The book has over 300 illustrations and is filled with stories about the women who stepped into traditionally male jobs during the war.
Cilio explained that most people don't consider the roles women played during and after the war. "The lumberjacks either were drafted or enlisted. Women took over their jobs and became known as 'lumberjills.'"
Not only did women break down barriers during the war, but continued to do so after the men came home. They would not accept the step back to their previous role, but fought in and with Congress, the president, and unions to create equal pay for equal work and stop gender discrimination in the workplace.
The event will end with a book signing. Books will be available at the Museum Shop for purchase.
The talk is the first in the in the 2013 Meet the Author series. It is free to the public, though donations will be gratefully accepted.
A Pilgrimage through Connecticut’s Spiritual History
A series with the Institute of Connecticut History
Jonathan Edwards (1703-1758) and The First Great Awakening: Saturday, April 13, 11-1pm
This son of Connecticut profoundly influenced an international revival that changed the British Empire
and united the American colonies. The First Great Awakening was first inter-colonial cultural event.
Hosted by First Congregational Church, 992 Main Street, South Windsor
Samson Occom (1723-1792) Connecticut’s Native American Preacher: Saturday, May 4, 11-1pm
This eloquent Minister preached Christ to thousands in both New England and England. He was a member of the Mohegan nation and was exemplar in his loving attitude towards all including his prejudicial detractors. At the Noah Webster House, 227 South Main Street, West Hartford
1765-1783 Connecticut’s Preachers of Revolution: Saturday, May 18, 11-1pm
It is little taught today that the impetus for Connecticut to join the American Revolution was largely provided by the Clergy. Their convictions convinced the people that their civil liberties were worth fighting for. In fact, Connecticut enjoyed more political freedoms than any other American colony.
At the Noah Webster House, 227 South Main Street, West Hartford
1800-1830 Revival in Connecticut: The Second Great Awakening: Saturday, June 1, 11-1pm
The lives of these four Connecticut natives were profoundly affected by the religious movement known as the Second Great Awakening. Though this revival began as a clarion call to holiness it also produced the great social movements of the 19th century including the Temperance movement, the Women’s movement and the Abolition movement.
Noah Webster Lyman Beecher Charles Finney Harriet Beecher Stowe
at the Noah Webster House, 227 South Main Street, West Hartford
Fanny Crosby (1820-1915) Greatest Hymn Writer in History: Saturday, June 15, 11-1pm
This Connecticut resident wrote over 8,000 hymns and over 100 million copies of her songs have been printed. Blessed Assurance is one of her most loved songs. Undaunted by her blindness, this poet/preacher and evangelist was the first woman to speak before Congress. She knew 22 U.S. Presidents and was a close friend to four of them.
At the Noah Webster House, 227 South Main St, West Hartford
Sponsored by:
Institute of Connecticut History
Restoring Truth in History
“He who transplanted still sustains”
instituteofcthistory.com
For more info call 860 583-9974
SAVE THE DATE! for these upcoming fall events...
Wednesday, September 18: Conversations: A Community Forum
Eric Deggans, author of Race-baiter: How the Media Wields Dangerous Words to Divide a Nation will kick off the “Conversations: A Community Forum” series. The series will focus on a timely topic two times per year. Deggans, a journalist with the Tampa Bay Times, recently published Race-baiter as a response to Bill O'Reilly of "The O'Reilly Factor" who called him, "one of the biggest race-baiters in the country." Deggans has appeared on CNN, CBS, NPR, and many other national television and radio stations and shows. More details will be available soon.
Saturday, October 5: SAYS YOU!
This fall, the Noah Webster House & West Hartford Historical Society and Saint Joseph College are bringing “Says You!” to West Hartford. “Says You!” is a word-based radio game show. Each week, panelists use words, definitions, and straight out bluffs to help their team win the game. The show records in front of a live audience, and gives audience members the chance to participate. Panelists may include Richard Sher, Barry Nolan, Francine Achbar, Tony Kahn, Carolyn Faye Fox, Arnie Reisman, Paula Lyons, and Phil Salkind. The show will tape two episodes for later broadcast on National Public Radio. The taping will include a brief intermission. More details will be available soon.
October 18/19 and 25/26: West Hartford Hauntings
A spooky and theatrical tour of West Hartford’s North Cemetery. Click here for more information and to see our commercial!
Some programs are subject to change. Please call ahead or make a reservation as required.
