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Contact Avon Historical Society - ahs.mail.1830@sbcglobal.net; 860-678-7621 |
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Events / News
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Highlights from Recent Events
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November 19th and 20th - Barn Tours from Miller Foods Holiday Event. Avon Historical Society was out in front of Miller Foods for their annual Holiday Festivities. Both Len Tolisano and Peter Wright were pleasantly surprised by the turnout, as we seemed to bump into old friends an acquaintances on an hourly basis....
Len Tolisano (posing with the scarecrow) and Peter Wright conducted guided tours of the newly acquired Horse Guard Barn from the Miller Foods Turkey Event on Saturday and Sunday November 19th and 20th. The Event was extremely well attended. We wish to thank the Miller Family for inviting us. The following snapshots are of some of the folks who came on our Horse Guard Barn Tour.
The Carvalho Family, Ruth, Gabriel, Daniel and Isabella with the Horse Guard Barn in the background.
Melissa Farley Tyler, Micah Rahardjo, Alec Trakovenko and Nico Lopez from Boy Scout Troop 274. Troop 274 was simultaneously conducting a Toy Drive at the Miller Foods Event.
Jeremy and Kyle Zarwanski of Boy Scout Troop 274 pose with "Duke."
Barbara Thomas, Free Lance Journalist, Leslie Chaput, Avon Chamber of Commerce, Colleen and Devin Young Bear.
Jim Gordon, Director of Public Relations and Marketing Salvation Army, Southern New England Division.
Roland and Liam Hicks - Liam faithfully served as the Miller Foods Gobbler / Mascot, during the Event.
Karen, Johanna and Thad Zebrowski, among the brave souls who chose to go on our tour.
Bob Burke with "Duke."
Carin Cruise-Roos posing with "Duke," remarked how the tour was among one of the interesting highlights of her visit to the Miller Foods Event this year. __________________________ September 17 - Cow Chip Raffle Sale at Walmart. Avon Historical Society was out in front of Wal-Mart selling tickets on what was a busy Saturday for local residents, judging from all the visitors that day.
In what has become a tradition for Avon Historical Society, Society Members were out in force selling raffle tickets on what was a beautiful Saturday. Thankfully, ticket sales were brisk, but best of all, members were able to touch base with locals and old friends. You would be surprised at whom you meet in front of Wal-Mart on a Saturday.... From left to right, Naomi Wright, Jeannie Parker, Lesley Mancini and Terri Wilson. ___________________ July 23rd - Book Signing Event at Barnes & Noble. Peter Wright, Author of Avon Then & Now, hosted a Book Signing Event at Barnes & Noble at the Shoppes at Farmington Valley in Canton from 3-5pm.
On a hotter than average Saturday in July, a higher than average number of people visited Barnes & Noble Booksellers, if only to get out of what will likely be remembered as "Heat Dome 2011?" Peter Wright had an opportunity to meet with several locals, including Avon Resident, Barnes & Noble Bookseller and Nook Expert, Amy Arlin, photographed above. Peter Wright was pleasantly surprised by the turnout, and wishes to thank Barnes & Noble Booksellers - especially Katie, thank you Katie, for putting this all together. Thanks to their efforts, the event was a great success for all concerned. ___________________ June 25th, 2011 - Results from the Avon High School Photography Contest. Avon Historical Society wishes to thank everyone for submitting for this, our long talked-about, first annual endeavor at an Avon High School Photography Contest. There is so much talent and focused energy at Avon High School, and we received only a small glimpse of it. It should go without saying; all the Judges would agree that the hardest part was narrowing the choices down to 3 images to be converted into postcards. We ultimately had to complete the selection process by “secret ballot,” for fear of carrying on hours longer than expected. It was no easy task selecting from the submitted images. We thank everyone for their sense of adventure and experimentation. The comments following each image posted are those of Peter Wright, author and photographer of Avon, Then & Now. If anyone has questions or comments, please feel to contact Peter Wright directly via our AHS Feedback Page. We hope the students enjoyed the "process of discovery" as much as we did. __________________ The following 3 images are to be converted into Postcards for 2011: Countryside Park, Derrin House, Pine Grove Schoolhouse.
Countryside Park - Gigi DiGiuseppe’s image from inside the covered bridge at Countryside Park tells a compelling story of a trail leading from the bridge into the woods beyond. Her choice of taking this shot from a low vantage point captures the four surfaces of the covered bridge from a unique perspective while emphasizing the trail. Gigi also seems to have brightened up the image with software, which may have helped to highlight the bridge’s construction - especially the roof structure - while bringing the trail beyond into much clearer view. Gigi should be commended for handling so many "variables" all at once.
Derrin House - Jeff Lewis’ image of the Derrin House is a powerful composition. Ansel Adams was once quoted as saying, “A good photograph is knowing where to stand.” In the age of digital photography, with access to virtually limitless amounts of “film,” that means experimenting with multiple viewpoints. Jeff picked his point of view carefully with farm equipment, signage, trees, shadows and miraculously, even clouds - all lines seemingly converging on and framing the Derrin House so well. Jeff also managed to capture the Derrin House in one of those rare "full sunlight in New England" moments making the image even more surreal.
Pine Grove Schoolhouse - Ellen McNeill was the only one of the photographers who chose to experiment with interior views, in this case Pine Grove Schoolhouse. It’s interesting to note how Ellen’s choice of a shallow depth of field makes the schoolroom beyond appear larger. Isn’t this how we remember the world around us being “bigger” when we were young, our classmates in the seats next to us in full focus and the larger space beyond less clear? __________________ The following 2 images earned Honorable Mentions for 2011: Countryside Park South Pond, and Heublein Tower
Countryside Park, South Pond - This image of one of Countryside Park’s ponds captures the view from one end of the Covered Bridge. Giorgina Paiella chose to include fore, middle and background in her image, with late spring foreground foliage providing a better sense of depth to the image, leading the eye to the shed at the back of a long reflective pond.
Heublein Tower - Rob Chamberlain chose to include the low wall in the foreground to help ground this view of Heublein Tower. Interesting how the low wall end post on the right side of the image with its own diagonal verticals reinforces the diagonal lines of the tower beyond. Rob also included the full height window at the tower’s base to give a more complete view of the tower. __________________ Thank You Once the printing and distribution is worked out in the next week or so, the photographers will have their original materials returned to them. The photographers whose images were selected will recieve 10 copies of their completed postcards. Postcards will be available for sale locally following this process. Once again, we thank everyone for their help in making this work seamlessly. Rachel Neuhoff and Beca Lichtler and their Avon Historical Society / Avon High School Team deserve special mention here if not elsewhere for all their hard work in bringing this together. Thanks so much to these folks for making this a great success! Without their help, none of this would have been possible. ___________________ Saturday, June 18th, 2011 - Snapshots from the Waggin For Wheels Event at Miller Foods. Avon Historical Historical Society was in attendance at Miller Foods / Mitchell Auto Group Waggin' For Wheels Event. The Fundraiser was organized to raise the needed money to purchase a new Animal Control Vehicle for the towns of Avon & Canton. Both the earlier Dog Walk and the later Main Event were well attended. If you were not able to make it, but you still want to donate for Avon-Canton’s new Animal Control Vehicle, you can mail your tax deductible donations to: “Town of Avon/Waggin’ for Wheels” Avon Police Dept. Attention: Sharon Dau 60 West Main Street Avon, CT 06001 ___________________
Pam Fahey, Avon Historical Society Vice President, took these images of immaculately dressed Ben Isaacson, Avon Historical Society Board Member, greeting Newfoundland Dog "Goliath."
It appears as if Ben is inspecting "Goliath's" teeth.... Who couldn't love that face? In conjuction with the Miller’s Event, Ben Isaacson and Peter Wright conducted guided tours of Avon Historical Society’s Horse Guard Barn, which is just north of the Miller Property along West Avon Road. Visitors were offered a rare glimpse inside this 1880’s bank barn and an opportunity to pose next to one of J. Maxon’s sulkies found on the property.
View of the Horse Guard Barn from the Miller Property.
From left to right, Jack Terri-Savage and Dina Lawless
Left to right, Barbara & Rick Dubiel, Camlyn Miller-Stevens, Michael & Donna Kemp, "Buster Brown" seated in front __________________________________________________ Avon Girl Scouts designed and planted period working gardens for the Derrin House. A 7th grade Avon Girl Scout Troop planted two period working gardens in the garden beds out in front of the Derrin House. The girls researched plants appropriate for a working garden in the 1800s and designed the layouts over the winter.
The plants were generously donated by Sunnybrook Farms Garden Center in Avon. Materials to frame out the plots were donated by Moore's Sawmill in Bloomfield (Please see each organization's mention on our "Friends of the Society" Page). The water supply system was designed with ingenuity by Derrin House Curator Len Tolisano of the Avon Historical Society - a holding barrel with a spigot is fed by a natural spring from up on the hill behind the house.
The Derrin House Museum is open to the public on Sundays from 2-5 pm June through October. Yet if you happen to be in the neighborhood, the gardens are available for viewing at any time! __________________________________________________ Sunday, June 5th, 2011 - Snapshots from the Book Signing at the Living Museum. Having coordinated this season's re-opening of all 3 Avon Historical Society Museums with a local Geocaching Event and an Avon, Then and Now book signing at the Living Museum, a number of Geocachers stopped by the Living Museum following their searches. Among the attendees were Avon High School Student Initiative Leaders, Matthew Howard and Michael Staroselsky. Matthew and Michael are working on a unique Student Initiative, "Reintroduce Children To Nature." The High School Students' Mission is to improve accessibility to local trails, hosting activities, events and hikes for local children while teaching them fun and useful information in a natural setting. Avon.Patch.com Freelance Writer Gabriel Sistare was also in attendance, composing a story about the Geocaching Community and today's Geocaching Event, which culminated at the Living Museum.
From left to right, Matthew Howard, Gabriel Sistare and Michael Staroselsky. What suprized Wendy, Liz and Peter, Avon Historical Society Board Members running the event at the Living Museum, was how this "Geocaching Thing" was so well attended by so many people from all over the state.
From left to right, Geocachers Zoe Diamond, Michaela Freedman, Shari Diamond and Rachel Freedman (seated) reviewing Peter Wright's new book, Avon, Then and Now at today's book signing event.
Geocaching "Savants," Sue Drobinski and Damien Drobinski explain how geocaching works, to Liz, Wendy and Peter, while reviewing Peter Wright's new book, Avon, Then & Now. Webmaster's Note: Feel free to write back to Peter Wright to tell him how "shameless" his "shameless plug" is for his new book, Avon, Then & Now via our AHS Feedback Page:-) __________________________________________________ May 28th, 2011 - The Derrin House Brick Walkway Is Now Installed. With material donations from local concerns, notably Deming Construction for providing several tons of stone bed and an anonymous brick donation - all 5 x 33’ of it - Len Tolisano, Derrin House Curator, Peter Wright, and Bristol AIC, please see our Friends of the Society Webpage, completed the brick walkway last Saturday, May 28th, 2011.
Kevin Del Biondo, Bristol AIC Community Service Coordinator, and Peter Wright, Avon Historical Society Board Member, stand over progress.
The completed walkway - a brownstone step and a concrete slab found on site, along with several cut bricks, were incorporated into the walkway design.
Len Tolisano stands over completion of the new Derrin House Walkway. Len Tolisano, Derrin House Curator, wishes to thank all those who helped to make this project possible and all those who helped bring it to completion. __________________________________________________ New Sign at Horse Guard Barn. Some of you may have noticed a small sign that has been placed in front of the Horse Guard Barn. While working on a larger sign to be hung in the near future, we learned a lot in creating this sign, and should anyone be thinking of creating a sign, we recommend 2" Text Size or larger, as ours seems to require at least a few drivebys to figure out what it says.
As many of you may already be aware, we are seeking help from the community at large to help us restore this circa 1880's English Style Bank Barn, a.k.a, "The Horse Guard Barn." If you were thinking of ways that you could help, more information can be found on our new "Horse Guard Barn" Webpage. Maybe you would like to help us with our "sign challenge...?" __________________________________________________ May 13th – Civil War Veterans honored for their service at West Avon Cemetery. Representatives from Avon VFW Post 3272, Avon Historical Society and Avon Free Public Library attended a memorial service honoring Civil War Veterans buried at West Avon Cemetery. Civil War re-enactor Sal Carmosino, dressed in period garb, fired three shots from an authentic Civil War weapon to remember those buried there. In addition, the Avon VFW placed a Grand Army of the Republic (GAR) medallion and an American flag on the
grave of Harrison Woodford, a Civil War veteran whose great-grandson, Gordon Woodford, was present for the service. From left to right - Rachel Neuhoff, Kara Dillaway, Patrice Celli, Terri Wilson, Sal Carmosino, Gordon Woodford, Lee Wilson, and William Newman. __________________________________________________ May 4th – “Connecticut in the American Civil War: Slavery, Sacrifice and Survival,” at the Horse Guard. Dr. Matthew Warshauer, Professor of History at Central Connecticut State University and co-chair of the Connecticut Civil War Commemoration Commission, discussed his new book, Connecticut in the American Civil War: Slavery, Sacrifice and Survival, as well as plans for the state's 150th anniversary of the war. The presentation took place at First Company Governor's Horse Guard at 280 Arch Road. Professor Warshauser's Presentation and Book Signing was well attended by young and old alike. This event is one of an ongoing set of programs and exhibits to commemorate the 150th anniversary of the Civil War.
From left to right - Patrice Celli, Tina Panik, Terri Wilson, Norm Sondheimer and Jim Genco. Author and Civil War Expert, Professor Warshauer is seated with his book. Civil War Afficionados will note the 34-Star Flag used by the Union Army during the Civil War in the background. __________________________________________________ February 8th – “The Shady Art of Silhouettes” at Carmon Family Center. The Avon Historical Society sponsored a talk on the history of the silhouette, presented by antique dealers, appraisers and researchers, Lee and Joy Hanes of Old Lyme, CT at the Carmon Family Center. This one-hour lecture entitled “The Shady Art of Silhouettes” covered the history of silhouette cutting and painting from the 18th century to the present. Silhouettes were a universally popular form of artistry in Europe and North America prior to the advent of photography. Thanks to Mary Harrop for organizing, arranging and putting the event together. Thanks to all the bakers for the wonderful desserts. And special thanks to John Carmon who made sure the venue was set up appropriately and the coffee was hot! Here are a few photos from the event.
__________________________________________________ January 2011 - Avon Historical Society Signs Lease to Restore the Horse Guard Barn on West Avon Road The Avon Historical Society has signed an amendment to a lease agreement of the Derrin House at 249 West Avon Road, from the State of Connecticut Department of the Military to include the Horse Guard Barn, across the street at 232 West Avon Road.
Last year the Avon Historical Society was approached by the Department of the Military to consider extending the Derrin House lease to include the c. 1880 New England Gable Entry Bank Barn just across the street, located on First Company Governor's Horse Guard Property. A tour by Avon Historical Society Board of Directors in late spring revealed timber frame construction which was made according to the “square” rule using circular sawn lumber. The barn and surrounding property was in private hands until sold to the First Co. Governor’s Horse Guard in 1954. The barn was used for horses until the State built a larger adjacent facility years later. __________________________________________________ January 2011 - Donation of Reed Organ by St. Ann's Church. The photo below is of the Smith American Organ Company of Boston, MA reed organ being donated to us by St. Anne's Church. The Church received it from the daughter of the original organist for the church when it was located on Mountain View Avenue.
__________________________________________________ September 25th 2010 (Saturday) – “Avon Day” at Thompson Brook School. Avon Historical Society managed a booth at Avon Day, as we do every year, with volunteers answering questions from the "serially curious," an "affliction" suffered by most members....
Also of note, Carl Candels, lifetime resident and community servant of Avon, was honored as "Avon's Citizen of the Year 2010." Jeannie Parker was kind enough to videotape Carl's Acceptance Speech. __________________________________________________ New Contributions to Avon's History: Anthony O'Neill made his mapping of Avon's Town Center available to the public for the very first time. AHS has made photographic reproductions of his map of Avon Center available for all. We will soon be revealing a copy of this historical record on our website. Please check our Gift Shop in the very near future for a better glimpse at a piece of not well understood Avon history. Just when you thought you knew how the canal and rail ran through town, Anthony O'Neill's Map will set you straight. __________________________________________________ Cow Chip Raffle Sales: It should go without saying, Cow Chip Raffle Ticket Sales were brisk this year. AHS Member Dennis Dix broke all previous records for "number of tickets sold in one day." Sharon Genovese will soon confirm the number of tickets sold. AHS Member Ruth Woodford is recognized for selling what may be the largest number of tickets sold by an individual member in the history of the Raffle. The "numbers" are to be confirmed shortly. __________________________________________________ October 16th 2010 (Saturday) 2:00pm – Cow Chip Raffle at Simmons Farm. This was our 3rd Annual Cow Chip Raffle - they get better with each passing year. FYI - If you haven't had a chance to attend a "Cow Chip Raffle," you are missing an interesting experience....
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© Avon Historical Society P.O. Box 448, Avon, CT. All Rights Reserved |
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