Events - Avon Historical Society https://avonhistoricalsociety.org Thu, 27 Aug 2026 16:06:09 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=7.1.4 190359718 A “Sneak Preview” of Renovated 1865 Pine Grove Schoolhouse https://avonhistoricalsociety.org/event/a-sneak-preview-of-renovated-1865-pine-grove-schoolhouse/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=a-sneak-preview-of-renovated-1865-pine-grove-schoolhouse Thu, 27 Aug 2026 16:05:45 +0000 https://avonhistoricalsociety.org/?post_type=event&p=5546 We are offering the public a “Sneak Peek” of recent renovations at the historic 1865 Pine Grove Schoolhouse, 3 Harris Road, on Sunday, September 6, from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. At that time, the community is invited to tour the newly completed interior painting with historically accurate colors and other improvements to the one-room schoolhouse, now 161 years old. Other repairs have been made to the pulley system of the original chalkboard and cleaning of the floors. The exterior of the building was painted in 2024, and the Society last completed a full renovation of the schoolhouse in 1976, in time for the nation’s Bicentennial. The current renovations are part of the Society’s broader effort to reintroduce the Pine Grove Schoolhouse to the public during Avon’s America 250 commemorations. This September 6 “Sneak Peek” will serve as a preview of a larger open house planned for Saturday, September 26 from 1:00-4:00 pm  (rain date Sunday, September 27) called “Back to the Schoolhouse Day!” complete with activities, refreshments and the opening of a 1976 time capsule hidden on site. Avon Historical Society is also pleased to announce that it has partnered with D-Squared Media of Avon to produce a documentary on the renovation of Pine Grove Schoolhouse, a symbol of America’s first forays into public education. Producers will be on hand at both the September 6 “Sneak Peek” and September 26 “Back to the Schoolhouse Day!” to capture the community memories and archive any memorabilia they have collected over the years. The Pine Grove Schoolhouse is open to the public on Sundays from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m., May through September.  Questions about either event can be sent to info@avonhistoricalsociety.org or leave a message at 860-678-7621.

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We are offering the public a “Sneak Peek” of recent renovations at the historic 1865 Pine Grove Schoolhouse, 3 Harris Road, on Sunday, September 6, from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m.

At that time, the community is invited to tour the newly completed interior painting with historically accurate colors and other improvements to the one-room schoolhouse, now 161 years old. Other repairs have been made to the pulley system of the original chalkboard and cleaning of the floors. The exterior of the building was painted in 2024, and the Society last completed a full renovation of the schoolhouse in 1976, in time for the nation’s Bicentennial.

The current renovations are part of the Society’s broader effort to reintroduce the Pine Grove Schoolhouse to the public during Avon’s America 250 commemorations. This September 6 “Sneak Peek” will serve as a preview of a larger open house planned for Saturday, September 26 from 1:00-4:00 pm  (rain date Sunday, September 27) called “Back to the Schoolhouse Day!” complete with activities, refreshments and the opening of a 1976 time capsule hidden on site.

Avon Historical Society is also pleased to announce that it has partnered with D-Squared Media of Avon to produce a documentary on the renovation of Pine Grove Schoolhouse, a symbol of America’s first forays into public education. Producers will be on hand at both the September 6 “Sneak Peek” and September 26 “Back to the Schoolhouse Day!” to capture the community memories and archive any memorabilia they have collected over the years.

The Pine Grove Schoolhouse is open to the public on Sundays from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m., May through September.  Questions about either event can be sent to info@avonhistoricalsociety.org or leave a message at 860-678-7621.

painted ceiling pine grove schoolhouse

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]]> 5546 Printing Press Demo https://avonhistoricalsociety.org/event/printing-press-demo/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=printing-press-demo Wed, 29 Jul 2026 14:53:56 +0000 https://avonhistoricalsociety.org/?post_type=event&p=5533 "Printing Revolution" - Look at the role of the printing press and the printers themselves, as how the technology of printing itself was 'revolutionary'. The focus is on the New England Colonial period 1638-1787. No registration required. Saturday, Sept. 19, 2026, 11 am - 4pm Printing Press Demo - (Hands on printing 11:30-3 or while supplies last)

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Printing Press Demo

"Printing Revolution" - Look at the role of the printing press and the printers themselves, as how the technology of printing itself was 'revolutionary'. The focus is on the New England Colonial period 1638-1787. No registration required.

Saturday, Sept. 19, 2026, 11 am - 4pm
Printing Press Demo - (Hands on printing 11:30-3 or while supplies last)

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]]> 5533 Remember Liss: A New American Founding Figure https://avonhistoricalsociety.org/event/remember-liss-a-new-american-founding-figure/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=remember-liss-a-new-american-founding-figure Wed, 29 Jul 2026 14:48:13 +0000 https://avonhistoricalsociety.org/?post_type=event&p=5530 Join historian and author Claire Bellerjeau for a one-hour program as she discusses the discovery of a new founding figure named Elizabeth, or Liss. Liss was enslaved by the Townsend family of Oyster Bay, New York, whose most famous member was Robert Townsend aka “Culper, Jr.”, George Washington’s lead spy in Manhattan during the Revolutionary War. Books will be for sale at this event. Saturday, Sept. 19, 2026, 3:00 pm at the Avon Free Public Library.

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Remember Liss: A New American Founding Figure

Join historian and author Claire Bellerjeau for a one-hour program as she discusses the discovery of a new founding figure named Elizabeth, or Liss. Liss was enslaved by the Townsend family of Oyster Bay, New York, whose most famous member was Robert Townsend aka “Culper, Jr.”, George Washington’s lead spy in Manhattan during the Revolutionary War. Books will be for sale at this event.

Saturday, Sept. 19, 2026, 3:00 pm at the Avon Free Public Library.

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]]> 5530 Cato in the Revolution: Spies, Slavery, Church, and Chocolate https://avonhistoricalsociety.org/event/cato-in-the-revolution-spies-slavery-church-and-chocolate/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=cato-in-the-revolution-spies-slavery-church-and-chocolate Wed, 29 Jul 2026 14:42:18 +0000 https://avonhistoricalsociety.org/?post_type=event&p=5527 Please join us for this 250th program to be held at the Avon Free Public Library, 281 Country Club Rd., Avon, CT, on Saturday, Sept. 19, 2026 at 1:00 pm Cato in the Revolution: Spies, Slavery, Church, and Chocolate

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Cato in the Revolution: Spies, Slavery, Church, and Chocolate

Please join us for this 250th program to be held at the Avon Free Public Library, 281 Country Club Rd., Avon, CT, on Saturday, Sept. 19, 2026 at 1:00 pm

Cato in the Revolution: Spies, Slavery, Church, and Chocolate

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]]> 5527 Tavern Music https://avonhistoricalsociety.org/event/tavern-music/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=tavern-music Wed, 29 Jul 2026 14:31:57 +0000 https://avonhistoricalsociety.org/?post_type=event&p=5522 Please join us for this 250th program to be held at the Avon Free Public Library, 281 Country Club Rd., Avon, CT Tavern Music - Thursday, Sept. 17, 2026, 6:30 pm

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Please join us for this 250th program to be held at the Avon Free Public Library, 281 Country Club Rd., Avon, CT

Tavern Music - Thursday, Sept. 17, 2026, 6:30 pm

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]]> 5522 From the Declaration of Independence to the Gettysburg Address https://avonhistoricalsociety.org/event/independence-gettysburg/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=independence-gettysburg Sat, 06 Jun 2026 19:37:43 +0000 https://avonhistoricalsociety.org/?post_type=event&p=5463 Join us for an in-person, dramatic event featuring Howard Wright, Connecticut’s premier Lincoln reenactor, as Abraham Lincoln. Exploring the life, words, and legacy of President Abraham Lincoln, with a focus on how the Declaration of Independence and the vision of the Founding Fathers—particularly George Washington—shaped his thinking and inspired one of the most important speeches in American history: The Gettysburg Address. This program traces Lincoln’s deep connection to the timeless phrase, “…all men are created equal.” These words guided his principles, his treatment of others, and ultimately his leadership during one of the most turbulent times in our nation’s history. The program is framed by two powerful readings of The Gettysburg Address. Hearing the speech at the beginning allows you to experience its impact as Lincoln’s audience might have. By the end, after gaining deeper insights into the meaning of his carefully chosen words and phrases, you will hear the address again—with a renewed understanding and appreciation for its profound message. To bring the man behind the speech to life, several anecdotes about Lincoln’s character and manner will be shared prior to the first reading. Free to attend.  Register at avonctlibrary.info

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From the Declaration of Independence to the Gettysburg Address

Join us for an in-person, dramatic event featuring Howard Wright, Connecticut’s premier Lincoln reenactor, as Abraham Lincoln.

Exploring the life, words, and legacy of President Abraham Lincoln, with a focus on how the Declaration of Independence and the vision of the Founding Fathers—particularly George Washington—shaped his thinking and inspired one of the most important speeches in American history: The Gettysburg Address. This program traces Lincoln’s deep connection to the timeless phrase, “…all men are created equal.” These words guided his principles, his treatment of others, and ultimately his leadership during one of the most turbulent times in our nation’s history.

The program is framed by two powerful readings of The Gettysburg Address. Hearing the speech at the beginning allows you to experience its impact as Lincoln’s audience might have. By the end, after gaining deeper insights into the meaning of his carefully chosen words and phrases, you will hear the address again—with a renewed understanding and appreciation for its profound message. To bring the man behind the speech to life, several anecdotes about Lincoln’s character and manner will be shared prior to the first reading.

Free to attend.  Register at avonctlibrary.info

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]]> 5463 John Adams and Thomas Jefferson: Their Historic 50 Year Friendship https://avonhistoricalsociety.org/event/adams-jefferson/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=adams-jefferson Sat, 06 Jun 2026 19:34:53 +0000 https://avonhistoricalsociety.org/?post_type=event&p=5462 Join us for a dramatic, in-person event with actor George Baker, who has portrayed President John Adams in one-man shows across the country. Adams and Jefferson were the principal movers who convinced the Continental Congress to vote for independence in 1776. Their life and friendship ran parallel to crucial events in American history. Follow their story through all of its connections and conflicts. For adults and children ages 12+ Free to attend at the Library.  Register at avonctlibrary.info

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John Adams and Thomas Jefferson: Their Historic 50 Year Friendship

Join us for a dramatic, in-person event with actor George Baker, who has portrayed President John Adams in one-man shows across the country.

Adams and Jefferson were the principal movers who convinced the Continental Congress to vote for independence in 1776. Their life and friendship ran parallel to crucial events in American history. Follow their story through all of its connections and conflicts.
For adults and children ages 12+

Free to attend at the Library.  Register at avonctlibrary.info

washington memorials

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]]> 5462 Revolutionary War Lecture Series: The Punch of Independence https://avonhistoricalsociety.org/event/punch-of-independence/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=punch-of-independence Sat, 06 Jun 2026 19:32:38 +0000 https://avonhistoricalsociety.org/?post_type=event&p=5461 The bottle says it all: “Samuel Adams, Brewer * Patriot.” And though “Sam the Maltster” wasn’t particularly business savvy, his attention to the Sons of Liberty and American independence went far beyond his fleeting attempts at brewing. Fortunately, there were plenty of other opportunities to quaff the large quantities of alcoholic beverages that fueled the fire of revolution. Join Dr. Matt Warshauer, professor of history at Central CT State University, for an intriguing exploration of how the American Revolution was plotted in taverns. This is the third in a series of three Please register for each event separately.

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The American Revolution Wasn’t Fueled by Water! Rum, Cider, and the Punch of Independence

The bottle says it all: “Samuel Adams, Brewer * Patriot.” And though “Sam the Maltster” wasn’t particularly business savvy, his attention to the Sons of Liberty and American independence went far beyond his fleeting attempts at brewing. Fortunately, there were plenty of other opportunities to quaff the large quantities of alcoholic beverages that fueled the fire of revolution. Join Dr. Matt Warshauer, professor of history at Central CT State University, for an intriguing exploration of how the American Revolution was plotted in taverns.

This is the third in a series of three

Please register for each event separately.

matt lecturer

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]]> 5461 Revolutionary War Lecture Series: Connecticut’s Declaration of Independence https://avonhistoricalsociety.org/event/connecticuts-declaration/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=connecticuts-declaration Sat, 06 Jun 2026 19:29:37 +0000 https://avonhistoricalsociety.org/?post_type=event&p=5460 Did you know that Connecticut has its own Declaration of Independence? Did you know that its timing was unique to the larger events going on in June of 1776 and reflected the quickly changing sentiments of the day. The Connecticut Courant and the pamphlet “Common Sense” played a significant role in shaping the push for independence in Connecticut. This is the second in a series of three presented by Matthew Warshauer, a professor of history at Central Connecticut State University.  All three series are funded by Pat Moran and sponsored by the Avon Historical Society, Avon Library, and Avon Senior Center. Please register for each event separately. THIS EVENT WILL BE HELD AT THE WEST AVON CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH.

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Connecticut’s Declaration of Independence

Did you know that Connecticut has its own Declaration of Independence? Did you know that its timing was unique to the larger events going on in June of 1776 and reflected the quickly changing sentiments of the day. The Connecticut Courant and the pamphlet “Common Sense” played a significant role in shaping the push for independence in Connecticut.

This is the second in a series of three presented by Matthew Warshauer, a professor of history at Central Connecticut State University.  All three series are funded by Pat Moran and sponsored by the Avon Historical Society, Avon Library, and Avon Senior Center.

Please register for each event separately.

THIS EVENT WILL BE HELD AT THE WEST AVON CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH.

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]]> 5460 Revolutionary War Lecture Series: When the Connecticut River Decided the Revolution https://avonhistoricalsociety.org/event/connecticut-river/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=connecticut-river Sat, 06 Jun 2026 19:26:11 +0000 https://avonhistoricalsociety.org/?post_type=event&p=5459 Series funded by Pat Moran, and sponsored by the Avon Historical Society, Avon Library, and Avon Senior Center. We know that the CT River divides Red Sox and Yankee fans, but did you know it also determined Connecticut’s revolutionary outlook? There existed in the colony a distinct East-of-the-River, West-of-the-River outlook on everything from economics to religion to land availability, all of which shaped a violent, politically driven revolt by the East. Matthew Warshauer is a professor of history at Central Connecticut State University, where he has studied and written extensively on what he calls “the American paradox,” the conflicting ideological beliefs and practices of the United States. Learn more here. This is the first in a series of three. Please register for each event separately.

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When the Connecticut River Decided the Revolution

Series funded by Pat Moran, and sponsored by the Avon Historical Society, Avon Library, and Avon Senior Center.

We know that the CT River divides Red Sox and Yankee fans, but did you know it also determined Connecticut’s revolutionary outlook? There existed in the colony a distinct East-of-the-River, West-of-the-River outlook on everything from economics to religion to land availability, all of which shaped a violent, politically driven revolt by the East.

Matthew Warshauer is a professor of history at Central Connecticut State University, where he has studied and written extensively on what he calls “the American paradox,” the conflicting ideological beliefs and practices of the United States. Learn more here.

This is the first in a series of three. Please register for each event separately.

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