Danbury History Museum World War I Exhibit - The Great War: Danbury Answers the Call

This year the Danbury Museum has organized a new exhibit called The Great War: Danbury Answers the Call.  This is an exhibition of WWI and focuses on the contributions of Danbury citizens at home and abroad during the War.

All branches of service will be recognized and some of the topics covered include: Sacrifices on the Homefront, The Mallory War Garden, the role of Danbury Hat Factories, and the Old 8th Company.

Historic imagery of all kinds will be on display such as parades, war bond rallies, soldiers and other period images of Danbury. In addition to letters, artifacts such as uniforms, helmets, and ephemera items including posters, and memorabilia from the archives of the Old 8th Company donated by Mr. Frank Stone.

The Danbury Museum will be open Monday - Saturday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. through November 11, 2017. Check their website for additional programs offered through the summer and fall.

The Danbury Museum & Historical Society is a BLUE STAR MUSEUM offering free admission to the nation's active-duty military personnel and their families, including National Guard and Reserve, from Memorial Day through Labor Day.

New Acquisitions @ Torrington Historical Society

The Carriage House on the grounds of the Torrington Historical Society located on 192 Main Street in downtown Torrington is hosting a new exhibition that is showing off the Society's new acquisitions. This collection showcases a variety of items that have been added to the Society's collection within the past few years.

What You Will See

Collections on display include: a guitar made in Torrington ca. 1856 by noted American luthier James Ashborn; photographs of the Conley Inn (later the Yankee Pedlar) taken in 1891 when the inn first opened; paintings of local people and places; photographs of Torrington from the 1850s through the 1950s; a machinist's toolbox used by Joseph Ruwet; products manufactured in our city including a 19th century Hendey lathe; and, one of the most popular items in the exhibit - a sign from The Sugar Shack, a 1970s gathering spot for local teens.

Hours

Admission to the Carriage House Gallery is free; the gallery is located behind the Hotchkiss Fyler House.  The Gallery and House are open Wed. - Sat. from 12 noon to 4 p.m.

A Taste of Litchfield Hills Sept. 10

This year, a Taste of Litchfield Hills is being held at South Farms on 21 Higbie Road in Morris on September 10 from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. This is the culinary event of the year that will feature restaurants, specialty markets, winemakers, craft brewers, and others in the beautifully restored white barn and through out this beautiful 90-acre property.

Expect to be wowed at South Farms as  participants serve their signature cuisine, curated cocktails and beverages to foodies and fun-loving folk in the area. To add to the fun, there will be two live bands as well as engaging and convivial roving entertainment.

The pre-purchased general admission is $50, which includes food, drink, and entertainment all afternoon. A VIP pass is $100 and provides food, drink, entertainment, private parking, and access to a lounge with TV and food service. Children 15 and under are $20. Day-of-the event tickets are $60 for general admission and $110 for the VIP lounge. You do not have to be 21 to purchase a ticket, however, you do have to be 21 to drink alcohol, so don't forget to bring along your ID.

Parking is available at the facility. If you are directed to overflow parking there will be a shuttle to transport you to the event and back to your car.

Go to the Colebrook Fair Labor Day Weekend

As the summer season begins to come to an end, the country fair and festival season is just beginning. Once again, this year, the bucolic village of Colebrook located in the far northwest corner of the Litchfield Hills is hosting their annual Labor Day Weekend Festival on Sat. Sept. 2 from 9 am - 4 pm. Colebrook is an architectural gem; the heart of this village located at the crossroads of Rtes. 182A and 183 is a perfectly preserved reminder of Connecticut's architectural past.

The Colebrook Fair began as an event of the school children at the old Center School, a two-room schoolhouse once located at the foot of Schoolhouse Road. The year was 1943, and the country was embroiled in the sad events and worries of World War II. Ruth Bushnell, the teacher of the 5th through 8th grades, came up with the idea of a children’s fair to instill a sense of happiness when happiness was in short supply and, 73 years later, the Colebrook Fair is still providing family fun with lots of smiles.

This year, fair goers will enjoy unique crafters, a variety of vendors, great food, raffles, a flea market and more.  Kids can compete in pie eating or frog jumping contests, a pet show or the “make-your-own” Cardboard Boat Regatta.  

The frog jumping contest dates back to the first fair held in Colebrook and kids have fun competing in several categories in this time-honored tradition.   To round out the fun, kids will enjoy, face painting, a petting zoo, pony rides, games, the Fire Department’s “touch-a-truck” and smokehouse.

 The 5th Annual Car Show will feature an incredible array of antique and classic vehicles. There are several awards categories and cars run the gamut from antiques, muscle and classics to imports, trucks and, new and cool!

For additional information visit the website of the fair.

Paint to the Music and Hands on Drumming @ The Mattatuck Museum Waterbury

Go on a creative journey with a Paint to the Music studio class @ The MATT, led by artist Amber Maida, on Tuesday, September 7 at 5:30 p.m.

Listen to music and interpret the sounds you hear in a painting, drawing or mixed media work. Amber Maida, winner of the Museum’s 2015 MIXMASTER Juried Members Exhibition, will give a demonstration and assist each participant in creating their own sound-inspired work. Before you begin, enjoy a glass of wine and mingle with other art lovers.

Cost is $12 for Members and $20 for General Admission. Materials will be provided. To register call (203) 753-0381 x130 or at www.mattmuseum.org.

On Friday, Sept. 8 from 1:00-3:00 p.m, the  Mattatuck Museum will hold a hands-on drumming program with instructor Craig Norton.

Join Craig Norton for a few hours of participatory musical merriment in one of the galleries @ The MATT and experience the joy that comes with making music! Everyone gets to play a drum or two, dance, laugh and learn while playing rhythms from around the world. Bring your own drums or play one provided. Craig Norton is the founder of Hands On Drumming, an organization that specializes in leading fun and engaging community drum circles.

The program is $8 for Museum members, $12 for General Admission, and $3 for BRASS Members.

About the Museum

Located in the heart of downtown Waterbury’s architectural district, the Mattatuck Museum is a vibrant destination, known locally and regionally as a community-centered institution of American art and history. For more information on all of the Museum’s programs, events, and exhibits visit the website at www.mattmuseum.org or call (203) 753-0381.