WE NEED YOU!
Volunteer Opportunities
The Newtown Historical Society is a non-profit organization dedicated to preserving Newtown's history through programs, events, and the maintenance of the Matthew Curtiss House Museum and Little Red Schoolhouse.
We currently need volunteers for the following positions: Docents, History Camp Publicist, and House & Garden Tour Docent Coordinator
If interested or you just want more information, please contact Barbara Wilson at bkwilsonhistory@yahoo.com or call 203-952-5516.
Upcoming Events
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February 2019
No February Program due to Winter Break
A Nation of Immigrants
March 10th, 2019
2:00 PM
C.H. Booth Library
25 Main Street, Newtown
While we have become used to controversies surrounding immigration in recent years, these feelings are nothing new. The United States has often been called a “nation of immigrants,” but our history is more complicated than that. The nation has had a love-hate relationship throughout its history and in this lecture Kevin Jennings will provide some historical context for today’s debates over immigration, tracing how American attitudes and policies towards immigrants have fluctuated since even before the founding of the United States.
Open House at the Matthew Curtiss House Museum
March 17th, 2019
12:00 - 4:00 PM
Matthew Curtiss House Museum
44 Main Street, Newtown
Step back in time with a tour of Newtown’s very own house museum. Being built in the mid-1700s, the house witnessed, as a private residence, more than 250 years of Newtown’s history.
“From Gibson Girl to Flappers” by Mallory Huron
April 8th, 2019
7:30 PM
C.H. Booth Library
25 Main Street, Newtown
How has World War I evolved the confining, romantic fashion of the Edwardian Era into the loose carefree fashions of the 1920s? Historical fashion enthusiast Mallory Huron takes you on a journey of women’s fashion through three tumultuous decades, and how these designs continue to influence our clothes today.
Open House @ Matthew Curtiss House Museum/Calligraphy Workshop
April 28, 2019
12:00 - 4:00 PM
Matthew Curtiss House
44 Main Street, Newtown
The Matthew Curtiss House Museum Open House demonstration will feature Judith Barbour Osborne. Judith has been a calligrapher for over 40 years. This hands-on experience will give the participant a good introduction to lettering in the popular Italic style. You will also learn about the characteristics of Colonial-era lettering and how it fits into the history of calligraphy. Supplies will be available for the workshop.
“Transatlantic Airships” by Jason Scapputicci
May 6th, 2019
7:30 PM
C.H. Booth Library
25 Main Street, Newtown
Many of the general public is familiar with only one airship, the Hindenburg. However, there is a rich and fascinating history of attempts and schemes to cross the Atlantic Ocean with airships. Through pictures and lecture come learn about this interesting and largely forgotten history.
Open House and Paper Quilling Demonstration
May 19th, 2019
12:00 - 4:00 PM
Matthew Curtiss House Museum
44 Main Street, Newtown
The Matthew Curtiss House Museum Open House demonstration you will learn all about the history of the craft of paper quilling. Then, join in and learn how to arrange, curl and bend small strips of paper to create beautiful and detailed artwork to take home with you. All supplies provided.
Open House and Beekeeping Demo
May 23rd, 2019
12:00 - 4:00 PM
Matthew Curtiss House Museum
44 Main Street, Newtown
In this Matthew Curtiss House Museum Open House demonstration you will learn all about beekeeping history and how it plays a role in today’s world. Our presenter will have a skep and other accoutrements, past and present. As well as an observation hive with live bees enclosed in a glass-sided mini-hive. Come learn what the buzz is all about!
Owner and resident Leslie Huston and fellow beekeeper Dean Haines are making a fresh start of the business previously owned and run by beekeepers Ed Weiss and Howland Blackiston, who launched Bee-Commerce in 1998 as one of the first e-commerce-enabled beekeeping supply stores. Leslie, who has been keeping bees since 1999 is excited to be a part of the Newtown community. Her goal is to bring helpful guidance and top-quality equipment to the hobbyist and back-yard beekeeper. Consumers looking for bee-related products can find homemade jelly, jars of honey, and dozens of other offerings at Bee-Commerce.