Explore Wedding Traditions @ Lockwood-Mathews Mansion Museum

The Lockwood-Mathews Mansion Museum opens its spring-summer season on Wed. April 5, 2017, 12-4 p.m., with new programs and extended tour hours. LMMM will be opened to the public through Jan. 8, 2018 and feature a 45 minute tour as well as a new and extended, 90 minute tour; both tours will be available by reserving online, through the Museum’s website, or by calling 203-838-9799 ext. 4. The 45 minute tour will include the first floor of the Mansion and the Servants’ Quarters, while the 90 minute tour will be more extensive and include the Mansion’s second floor bedroom suites and family room. Walk-ins will be welcomed subject to availability. All new exhibitions will be part of the tours’ admission.

New Exhibition

Wedding Traditions and Fashion from the 1860s to 1930s

Wed. April 5, -Sun. Nov. 12, 2017

Curated by Kathleen Motes Bennewitz

Opening Reception: Thurs. April 6, 2017, 5:30-7:30 p.m. $10 non-members $5 members

Gen. Admission: $10 Adults, $ 8 seniors, $6 children 8-18 years old/45 minute tour

Gen. Admission: $20 adults, $18 seniors, $16 children 8-18 years old/90 minute tour

From simple, at-home ceremonies to lavish events modeled on Queen Victoria’s, to weddings of young heiresses of Gilded Age fortunes that commanded social-page attention, this exhibition will explore the evolving nature of weddings and the socio-economic changes of this timeless tradition during the 19th and early 20th centuries. The Dining and Drawing Rooms of the Mansion will display luxurious artifacts and accessories, as well as elaborate wedding gowns, while the Servants’ Quarters of the Museum will highlight ceremonies of immigrant brides who, once settled in the United States, desired to follow American customs and fashions.

New Exhibition

Right Angle Bliss

Contemporary Photography Exhibit

Curated by Gail Ingis-Claus

Wed. April 5, 2017-Thurs., July 6, 2017

Opening Reception: April 27, 2017, 5:30-7:30 p.m. $10 non-members $5 members

Gen. Admission: $10 adults, $8 seniors, $6 children 8-18 years old/45 minute tour

Gen. Admission: $20 adults, $18 seniors, $16 children 8-18 years old/90 minute tour

From vows taken in magnificent settings, to cutting edge images that will redefine rituals and boundaries, this exhibition will feature six up-and-coming as well as award-winning photographers that highlight today’s diversity of cultures and customs in wedding ceremonies throughout the United States. Right Angle Bliss will capture the tenderness, whimsy, beauty, and grit of the promised, “I Do”, and visually redefine this time-honored tradition through the lenses of photographers: Stephanie Anestis, David Bravo, Sarah Grote, Kathy Harris, Airen Miller, and Karol Setlak.

Heavenly Notes: St. Mary’s at the Mansion

Sun. May 7, 2017, 2-4 p.m.

Reservations Required – Limited Seating

Admission: $30 (third row and up) -$50 (second row seating), $100 (front row seating)

Reception: $10 per person

In collaboration with the Parish of St. Mary’s in Norwalk, CT, Lockwood-Mathews Mansion Museum will feature, Heavenly Notes: St. Mary’s at the Mansion, a rare fundraising concert highlighting the church’s outstanding choir. Repertoire will feature music from the Victorian and Edwardian eras led by Organist and Choirmaster David Hughes. As described in Florence Mathews’ diary, there was a longstanding relationship between St. Mary’s and the Mathews family, as the church was central to the life of the many servants who lived and worked at the Mansion during the Edwardian era. Built in 1848, and originally located on Chapel Street in Norwalk, St. Mary’s burned to the ground and was replaced by a magnificent Gothic Revival stone church in 1871 on West Avenue, half a mile from the Lockwood-Mathews Mansion.

For a free monthly newsletter on things to do and see and travel tips  visit www.visitfairfieldcountyct.com

Celebrate Earth Day in Western Connecticut

Earth Day was started by Senator Nelson of Wisconsin in 1970  in order to get the conversation going about how important it is to keep our planet healthy and clean. Since that time millions of people have celebrated Earth Day promising to help the environment and to make positive changes in the way they live and in their communities.  There are many Earth Day events taking place in Litchfield Hills and Fairfield County and here is a round-up of the top six.

One way to start the day is at Flanders Nature Center in Woodbury on 5 Church Hill Road that is offering a special Earth Day hike beginning at 9:30 a.m.Hikers should plan to meet Naturalist Edward Boisits, Ph.D. in the parking lot of the Sugar House. Boisits will lead hikers through the beautiful and historic Van Vleck Sanctuary, on an informative walk in search of the signs of spring. This walk is suitable for all ages and hiking levels. This event is free but registration is appreciated.

In  Washington at the Institute for American Indian Studies Museum and Research Center there will be an Earth Day open house from 11 a.m. - 4 p.m. Guests will enjoy free admission to the museum and engaging tours that will highlight the fascinating stories of artifacts on display such as Sitting Bull's jacket and the Albert Afraid of Hawk star quilt. Celebrate Connecticut's early history when exploring the museum's core exhibition, Quinnetukut: Our Homeland, Our Story. And, don't miss the wooded trails behind the museum to the Native American Village in the woods.

After the camaraderie of a morning hike, you might want to head to Woodbury’s 22^nd annual EarthDay Celebration at Hollow Park located on Hollow Rd. just off Rte. 6.  There will be demonstrations, local craftsmen, unique vendors, activities, live music, exhibits and more to help you celebrate our great planet.  This event takes place from 11 am to  4 pm.

In Fairfield County, the  Fairfield Earth Day Celebration takes place on April 30 this year at the Fairfield Theatre Company located on 70 Sanford St. from 10 am - 4 pm.  There will be hundreds of exhibitors, a variety of live music, crafts, games, science experiments and much  more. Event goers will learn how to improve their health and the health of the environment.

The Bartlett Arboretum, located on 151 Brookdale Rd. in Stamford is hosting Gardens Arbor Earth Day on April 22 from 10 am to 3 pm.  Guests will celebrate the day with music, lectures on plants,  live demonstrations and trail tours where you will admire Champion trees, wildflower meadows and charming gardens. Kids will love the face painting, storytelling and riding in a Bartlett cherry picker. Adults can learn how to prune, plant a tree and identify native plants set amid this unspoiled historic landscape that is a natural preserve like no other in Fairfield County. The rain date for this event is April 23.

Bridgeport's Discovery Museum is hosting an out of this world Earth Day Celebration on April 22 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Kids will enjoy Earth and nature themed hands on activities, make and takes and science and sphere demonstrations. A highlight of this event is the planetarium show.