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| Henry Ward Beecher Courtesy of the Helga J. Ingraham Memorial Library |
This year is the 200th anniversary of Litchfield native and famous preacher Henry Ward Beecher’s birth. Join the Litchfield Historical Society on Monday, June 24 at 7:00 pm for a celebration of Beecher’s birthday, as well as a discussion of Debby Applegate’s 2007 Pulitzer Prize-winning biography, The Most Famous Man in America: The Biography of Henry Ward Beecher.
Led by retired
Litchfield High School English teacher Jerry
Geci, the conversation will focus on Beecher as a fascinating and complex
man: celebrated in his own time, though not untouched by scandal. The Most Famous Man in America creates a
powerful portrait of Beecher, highlighting both his charisma and his flaws.
Applegate’s book has been touted as “Thoroughly
researched, passionately written, and richly detailed” (Harry S. Stout). Joan
Hendricks, a Harriet Beecher Stowe scholar calls it “A lively narrative of
nineteenth-century religion, power, passion, and politics, as well as a
perceptive study of the elusive preacher who rode them to the top.”
Whether you think Beecher
was a saint or a scoundrel, please join us for a rousing book discussion. We
will also view Beecher family-related items from the Historical Society’s
collections and have birthday cake.
This event is free; a
copy of the book can be purchased for $8 from the Historical Society. Please register by Friday,
June 14, to receive a copy of the book. To register, call (860) 567-4501 or
email registration@litchfieldhistoricalsociety.org.
The Litchfield History Museum is located at 7 South Street, Litchfield,
CT. For more information about this or upcoming programs, please call (860)
567-4501 or see www.litchfieldhistoricalsociety.org.
For area information visit www.litchfieldhills.com.
