Spring 2007

THE SPECTATOR
The Newsletter of The Noah Webster House & West Hartford Historical Society
Spring 2007
2nd Annual Mother’s Day Tea
This Mother’s Day, the Noah Webster House and West
Hartford Historical Society offers an afternoon tea with
Kandie Carle, the Victorian Lady. The Second Annual
Mother’s Day Tea takes place on Sunday, May 13 from 2
to 4 p.m.
A light lunch of tea sandwiches and desserts will accompany a variety of teas.
After tea, Kandie Carle will
perform a program on the
fashion and society of the
Edwardian Era. Carle performed her Civil War era
program at last year’s Tea,
resulting in rave reviews.
Carle’s years of experience in theatre give her a
natural flare for performance.
In keeping with the EdKandie Carle shows off her
wardian era, the language of
corset and hoop, 2006.
flowers will be the decora-
tive theme of the tea.
During the Victorian and
Edwardian eras, flowers
said a lot more than they
do now. A bouquet of
yellow roses wouldn’t
speak of friendship, they
would say “I’m jealous of
you!” or “I love you less
now than I did before”.
Every guest at the tea will
receive a small favor, and
a basket of teas and related accessories will be
given away.
Reservations are required. Carle and her “Lady’s Maid”.
Call (860) 521-5362 ext.
21 for information and reservations. The cost for adults
is $18 and children are $14. Members’ cost is $16 and
$12 respectively. This program is suggested for ages 12
and older. Visit noahwebsterhouse.org for further information.
Spring Break Adventure Workshops
This April, the museum offers two week-long workshops
for kids ages 8 to 12. During the workshops, children
explore how people lived, worked and played in the 18th
and 19th centuries.
A Sampler of Colonial Life (Session A) takes place
April 16-20 from 9 a.m. to 12 noon. Children experience
first hand the many sides of colonial life by taking on
colonial characters, researching real people, and dressing
in costume. Throughout the week, students participate in
a variety of activities including attending a one-room
schoolhouse, playing colonial games, hearth cooking,
and doing colonial chores and crafts.
The second sessions, Colonial Crafts & Trades
(Session B), occur from 1-4 p.m. during the same week.
It offers the opportunity for students to actively learn
about and try different colonial crafts and trades. Students hand-mold and design their own clay plates and
marbles, dip candles, make paper, and construct and
paint a “candle safe” out of wood. Colonial life wasn’t
all work and no play. Students will also make toys, dolls,
and colonial games.
The cost
for Session
A or B is
$135
per
child,
or
$115
for
museum
members.
To sign up
for
both
Session A
and B, the cost is $235, or $215 for museum members.
Sign up two or more siblings and receive $15 off the price
of each child. Both sessions are for children ages 8 to 12.
Call 860.521.5362 x14 to register. Registration is required
by Monday, April 9.
Summer Camp Information on Page 7
2
The Spectator
Board of Trustees
Janet Tracy, Chair
Kathy Singer, Vice Chair
Kate Dixon, Vice Chair
Tuck Miller, Secretary
Nancy Clement,
Assistant Secretary
Judie Saunders, Treasurer
Connie Robinson,
Assistant Treasurer
Trustees
Newton A. Clark, Jr.
Shirley DeLong
Linda Dunakin
Kathy Horner
Richard Hughes
C. James Lawler, Jr.
Judy Lawes
Miriam Miller
John Reazer
Judie Saunders
James Shelton
Joan Warner
John Wadhams
Trustees Emeritus
Gordon Bennett
Louise Boyson Pruyne
Ex-Officio Trustees
James Capodiece
Norma Cronin
Pat Holloway
Ed Pilkington
David Sklarz
R. Scott Slifka
Tracey Wilson
Advisors
Barbara Carpenter
Jack Chatfield
Charles Coursey
Lincoln Davis
Wilson Faude
Jonathan Harris
Alice Kugelman
Rob Kyff
John Lemega
Nancy Murray
Harriet Tenney
Richard Woodworth
Staff
Christopher Dobbs,
Executive Director
Sheila Daley,
Archivist
Jennifer DiCola Matos,
Director of Education
Pattie McCleary
Shop Manager
Sarah Mocko,
Coordinator of Public Programs
Abby Perkins,
Administrative Assistant
Dear Members,
Spring is a time for growth and renewal. The snow is melting, birds are returning, and as the fauna begins to bud, our allergies are returning with improved
vigor. Our little Noah Webster House is growing too. Here are some numbers
that illustrate our expanding mission and influence:
8% increase in historic house attendance in 2006,
600% public programs growth since 2004,
40% expansion in membership, and a
19% increase in school children being served last year (that’s 12,745 students!).
This growth is even more impressive when you look at the state of affairs for history museums.
Many historic sites have witnessed a drop of approximately 50% in their attendance over the last
decade. Some of the leaders in the field such as Old Sturbridge Village have needed to sell off
valuable assets in order to stay solvent. In our own state of Connecticut, two sites are contemplating selling their historic houses, and the recently renovated Old State House is at risk of closing if
it is not supported by the State.
These are indeed challenging times for museums. We need to think of new ways to stay relevant
and engage our public. We need to create dynamic experiences such as Tavern Nights and West
Hartford Hauntings; explore more ways to be accessible on-site, in the community, and over the
web; and determine how we can serve our members and public better. Without places such as
Mystic Seaport or the Harriet Beecher Stowe Center, our valuable past might be lost. This past is
not just important for what happened long ago, but provides precious insight into why the world is
the way it is today and maybe some of the answers for the future. If our little red house was not
here, who else would share Noah Webster’s impact on American culture and celebrate the lives
and stories of West Hartford?
The Noah Webster House & West Hartford Historical Society is growing! I invite you to join us
at the Annual Meeting in May. Take an active role in shaping our museum. Find out more about
last year’s accomplishments and discover where we are headed . . . as we celebrate the past our
bright future might just surprise you.
I’ll see you at Noah’s,
Wine Tasting Course
The Language of Wines: Around the World with Steve Leon has
been rescheduled for Wednesdays April 18 and 25 from 6 to 7:15 p.m.
This two-session class explores the terms and expressions of wine tasting. During the classes, participants will try a variety of wines from
California, France, South America, Australia and New Zealand. The
price for the entire course is $20, or one class for $15. All proceeds go
to the Noah Webster House & West Hartford Historical Society. 860-521-5362 x21 for reservations.
This event is hosted and sponsored by Steve
Leon of Wine Cellars 4, Rte 4 on the West Hartford/Farmington line.
3
Spring 2007
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Saturday, April 7: Kids’ First Saturday: Colonial Games 1-4 p.m.
Drop in and play games like Skittles, Nine Men’s Morrice, and Jack Straws!
Monday-Friday April 16-20: Spring Break Workshops
Kids learn about colonial life during two week-long workshops. A Sampler of
Colonial Life is each day from 9 a.m.-12 noon, and Colonial Crafts and Trades is
from 1-4 p.m.
Wednesdays, April 18 & 25: The Language of Wines: Around the World with Steve Leon 6 p.m.
This course explores the terms and expressions of wine. Visit California, France,
South America, Australia and New Zealand. Hosted and sponsored by Steve Leon of Wine
Cellars 4.
Saturday, May 5: Kids’ First Saturday: Spring Planting 1-2 p.m.
Children plant a heritage breed vegetable to take home with them.
Friday, May 11: Poetry Reading II 7-9 p.m.
Local poets are invited to share their works. Refreshments available.
Sunday, May 13: Mother’s Day Tea 2-4 p.m.
Bring your mother, sister, aunt, friend, and enjoy delicious teas and refreshments.
After tea, Kandie Carle, the Victorian Lady, exhibits fashions of the Edwardian Era.
Sunday, May 20: West Hartford History Bike Tour 1 p.m.
Discover some amazing architecture, beautiful homes, and West Hartford History
while cycling through the Elizabeth Park area.
Wednesday, May 23: Museum’s Annual Meeting 5 p.m.
Hear about Tomorrow's Museum and see the presentation of the 2007 Meyer Prize.
Saturday, June 2: 3rd Annual Tag Sale 8 a.m.-1 p.m.
Check out the selection of items and help fund the museum’s educational mission.
Thursday, June 7: 4th Annual Golf Tournament Tee times noon-2 p.m.
Get in the swing and help Noah’s House! Benefit Party to follow.
4
The Spectator
History Bike Tour
Golf Tournament
On Sunday, May 20 at 1 p.m., Town Historian
Tracey Wilson will lead a bike tour of the Elizabeth
Park area of West Hartford. Tour-goers will take a
six mile ride to see some of the architectural and historical sights in the area. The West Hill district,
Hamilton Heights, and Hartford Golf Club areas will
all be toured with brief stops to learn about their histories.
The ride starts at the south side of the Pond House
in Elizabeth Park. After the tour, cyclists are welcome to have a glass of lemonade and light refreshments.
The tour kicks off the introduction of a bike tour
map that will soon be available through the museum.
The map includes the bicycle route, numbered stops,
and information about several buildings and places on
the route. The map should
be available by this fall. For
more information on the map
and the bike tour, call 860521-5362 x21.
The 4th Annual Noah Webster Golf Tournament
will take place on Thursday, June 7. Played on Noah
Webster’s family farmlands, now known as Rockledge Golf Course, the tournament helps the museum raise funds to support its educational programs.
Following the tournament, golfers and non-golfers
alike are invited to the Noah Webster House for the
4th Annual 19th Hole Benefit Party. From 5 to 7:30,
wine, beer, and a light spread of food will be served.
A silent auction with one-of-a-kind items also benefits the museum.
To participate in the
tournament, please call
860-521-5362 x10. Members of the community are
invited to golf for $150
per person. For other information, please call Don
and Kathy Horner at (860)
677-9477.
You are invited to the Noah Webster House and West Hartford Historical Society’s
Annual Meeting
at the Museum
Wednesday, May 23, 2007
at 5 p.m.
The Meeting will include a reception, the presentation of the Meyer Prize for Excellence in History, Board
and Staff reports of 2006, and a presentation of Tomorrow’s Museum by Executive Director Chris Dobbs.
A meeting of the Board of Trustees will follow the Annual Meeting
5
Spring 2007
Things You May Not Know About Noah
By Sarah Mocko and Tessa O’Sullivan
Noah Webster did much more than
write the dictionary. The following
is merely the beginning of his life’s
work. For complete information on
Noah’s life, please read Harlow G.
Unger’s book: “Noah Webster: The
Life and Times of an American Patriot,” from which this information
comes.
Founding the Sharon, CT School: In 1781, Noah
opened a school in the prominently patriot village of
Sharon, CT. The school was founded for the children of
wealthy families displaced from New York City during
the war. These children had been sent to private school,
and their parents “were loath to send them to rural common schools.” (p.38) Noah’s teaching skills were well
received and he became close to many of the children
and their families. His views on education were incorporated into the curriculum, as he believed that girls deserved the same education as boys, and that they should
be taught “their legal rights so they could protect their
interests and property” if they were left on their own
(p.39) . Unfortunately for Noah, the end of the war arrived just months after his school was established, and
the families moved back to New York City.
Fighting in the War: In 1778, Noah’s father gathered
the older men in the West Division to battle against the
British troops led by General John Burgoyne. Their sons,
seeing the bravery of their fathers, joined too, including
Noah and his two brothers Charles and Abram. It took
them two days of hard marching to reach the Hudson
River where they watched as the fleet of British General,
Sir Henry Clinton’s fleet approached to help General
Burgoyne. Clinton learned he was too late to help Burgoyne, so he ordered his ships to set fire to New York’s
state capitol, Kingston. The Websters watched helplessly, their spirits plummeting as Kingston burned
across the river from their camp. However, good news
was to follow the sorrow – “a courier waving his sword
in triumph galloped into Webster’s encampment, crying
out as he passed, Burgoyne is taken, Burgoyne is
taken.” (p. 27) Noah’s granddaughter wrote it was an
event that even in his old age Noah “could never speak
of it or of his feelings, as the shout of the courier rang
through the ranks of the regiment, with a strength of
emotion which was often expressed by tears. (p. 27)
Throughout his life he would always consider himself a
patriot and a revolutionary war veteran even though he
had never fired a shot.
Sharing his Love of Music: Noah’s mother Mercy Webster not only encouraged her children to read, she also
taught them all to play the flute. Noah was quite good at
playing. In his writings, he tells a story of when George
Washington, the newly elected Commander-in-Chief of
the Continental Army, was passing through New Haven,
he stopped and watched the Yale students perform their
manual exercises. He was so impressed with the students
that he invited them to march with the army as they
passed through town. Wrote Noah, “It fell to my humble
lot to lead the company with music,” (p. 21) playing Yankee Doodle on his flute.
In July 1785, when Noah traveled to Baltimore, Maryland, he lacked enough students to create a school so he
found a Congregational Church that needed a choir and
offered to organize a singing school at the church. “After
six weeks of practice, he and his ten-member choir made
their singing debut at church… They ‘astonished all Baltimore’ with their skills, Webster noted in his diary and
set off a deluge of applications to study singing with
him.” (p. 94-95) His choir grew to 40 members and with
his excellent singing voice he was in as much demand as
his choral groups.
Raising a Family: At the age of 31 in 1789, Noah Webster married Rebecca (Becca) Greenleaf, a proper Boston
lady. The couple had eight children, seven surviving to
adulthood. The first child Emily was born in 1790, Frances Juliana (Julia) in 1793, Harriet in 1797, Mary in
1799, William in 1801, Eliza in 1803, Henry in 1806 and
passed away a mere nine weeks later, and finally Louisa,
who was born in the spring of 1808. In 1797, Noah began
to think that his journalistic endeavors were causing him
to spend too much time away from his family. “He
adored his wife… and rejoiced at [his children’s] squeals
and songs and laughter” (p. 224). In 1798, the family
moved from New York to New Haven where they settled
in well.
Founding Amherst College: In 1812, Noah moved his
family to the tiny village of Amherst, Massachusetts.
While he was there, he organized a fund drive to raise
capital to create a school for boys and girls alike. In 1815,
Amherst Academy admitted 190 students - nearly half of
whom were girls. The school was so successful that in
1817, they added a ministerial college for young men.
Noah led the fund raising for the endeavor and raised
over $50,000 for the college. It was built between 1819
and 1820 and Noah became the President of the Board of
Trustees. In 1821, the college opened, admitting 47
young men. Ironically, the college admitted only men
until 1975, when it became coeducational.
6
The Spectator
11th Annual Meyer Prize Announced
The museum
invites West
Hartford students to participate in the
annual Freeman
and
Mary Meyer
Prize for Excellence
in
History conCharter Oak Park, c. 1910. Photo courtesy of
test.
the Hartford Courant.
The Meyer
Prize is awarded to the student who submits the best research paper on local history. The first place student receives a prize of up to $500. Other prizes may be awarded
at the judges’ discretion.
Papers should be typed, double spaced, and properly
documented with endnotes or footnotes and a bibliography/works cited page. Three to 10 pages is an acceptable
length.
Three copies of the paper must be submitted to the
Noah Webster Word Search
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Noah Webster House by 5 p.m. on April 20, 2007. Winners will be announced by May 5 and prizes will be
awarded at the Noah Webster House and West Hartford
Historical Society’s annual meeting at 5 p.m. on May 24.
For more information or for an entry form, please contact
Sarah Mocko, Coordinator of Public Programs, at (860)
521-5362, x 21.
Papers must center on an aspect of the history of West
Hartford or a topic of local historical significance. Papers
are judged by a three-person panel of scholars and historians. All high school students who attend West Hartford
schools or are West Hartford residents are invited to participate.
Last year, Conard High School student Katherine Nilson took first place with her paper “Frank H. Stadtmueller: Progressive Reformer” and Rachel Aron took second
place with her paper, “The History of a West Hartford
Hotspot: The Agora Ballroom.”
Submissions become the property of the Noah Webster
House and West Hartford Historical Society and may be
used for publication. Previous winners have been published in West Hartford Life and in The Spectator.
Prohibition Memories
(1920 – 1932)
This November, the museum will host a Speakeasy. Period music on our new piano, martini tasting, and a password will be part of the fun! We’re looking for your
memories, or relatives’ stories about the speakeasy and
prohibition period of West Hartford and the surrounding
era. If you have any memorabilia, we’d love to take a
look at that, too. Call 860-521-5362 x 21 or send it via
email to [email protected].
Congratulations!
to the museum on winning a Wilbur
Cross Award from the
Connecticut Humanities Council
for the exhibit
“Bristow: Putting the Pieces of an
African-American Life Together”
7
Spring 2007
Colonial Kids Adventure Camp
This summer, kids can explore life in the 1700s by
spending a week as a colonial child. By doing activities at both the historic
Noah Webster House and
the farm at Westmoor Park,
children experience first
hand the chores, games,
and fun of colonial times.
While at the Noah Webster House, children become
colonial “characters” in costume, and help to cook their
lunches over an open hearth. They explore Noah Webster’s house and garden, work on crafts, make and play
games and instruments, and learn colonial songs and
dances.
At Westmoor Park, children encounter life on a farm
by doing barnyard chores, working in the garden, and
processing wool. At this 162-acre property, they have the
opportunity to go on nature walks, collect plants, make
candy and colonial medicine, and play outdoor games.
The Colonial Kid’s Adventure Camp takes place during the weeks of July 9-13, July 23-27, and August 1317. Each session takes place Monday through Friday
from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Colonial Kid’s Adventure Camp is $199 per week for
members and $219 for non-members. Extended hours to
Annual Tag Sale!
Saturday, June 2, 8 a.m.-1 p.m.
The museum will hold the third Tag Sale during West
Hartford’s Celebrate! Stop by on June 2 between 8 a.m.
and 1 p.m. to find some of the best bargains in town. All
funds raised help support education and
public programs at the museum.
Donate Your Old
Stuff
If you have items you would like to donate, please bring
them to the museum between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. between
May 11 and 31. Due to space constraints, we cannot accept large furniture, appliances, or computers. You may
take a photograph of large items and include contact information and price. Please call Sarah at 521-5362 ext 21
for more information. Donations may be tax deductible–
contact Abby at 521-5362 x10 if you would like more
information.
5 p.m. are available for $20 per week. Children ages 8 to
11 are invited to attend.
NEW THIS YEAR- SUMMER WORKSHOPS
The week of August 6– 10, the museum offers Colonial
Crafts and Trades Workshops for kids ages 9-12.
Session A occurs each day from 9 a.m. to noon. Kids
try blacksmithing, pottery, paper-making, doll or toy
making, soap making, and cooking.
Session B occurs from 1-4 p.m. each day. Children
participate in tinsmithing, carpentry, glass painting, basket-weaving, dyeing, and cooking.
Both sessions give kids the opportunity to play colonial games,
dress in costume, hear stories, and
tour Noah’s house.
The workshops are $130 per
session per child for members and
$150 for non-members. To take
both workshops together, the cost
is $230 for members and $250 for
non-members. Save $15 if you
sign up two or more siblings.
Camps fill up fast, so sign up soon!
Kids’ First Saturdays
April
On Saturday, April 7, from 1-4 p.m. kids
of all ages are invited to drop in and try
some great colonial games! Skittles,
Nine Men’s Morrice, jack straws, fox and
geese, and many more will be available.
$3 per child, $2 for museum members,
free with paid museum admission.
May
On Saturday, May 5 from 1-4, kids can
drop in to plant a heritage breed vegetable to take home with them. $3 per child,
$2 members.
There will be no Kids’ First Saturday
program on Saturday, June 2 due to the
Tag Sale.
Join us or gift the gift of membership...
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New Member_____ Renewing Member_____
Basic Membership Benefits
Free unlimited admission to the museum
Membership is good for one full year
Free or reduced admission to many museum programs and
events
♦ Preferred ticketing to certain museum programs and events
♦ 10% discount on purchases at the Museum Shop
♦ Subscription to The Spectator newsletter
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Please check one:
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All of the above plus 10% off facility rental
____ $40 Family/Household
(2 adults and children under 18)
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All of the above plus (1) free
Noah Webster House
(2 adults and grandchildren
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under 18)
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MAIL TO: The Noah Webster House &
program (please enclose the form)
West Hartford Historical Society
227 South Main Street West Hartford , CT 06107
September 9
Harvest House Tour
July 13
Poetry Reading
July 7
Kids’ First Saturday
Save these dates
The Noah Webster House
West Hartford Historical Society
227 South Main Street
West Hartford, CT 06107-3430
(860) 521-5362
Non-profit
organization
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PAID
Hartford, CT
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