The 24th Annual Venture Smith Day festivities will be hold on Saturday, September 12 from 1 pm to 4 pm in the First Church Cemetery in East Haddam, CT. Rain date is Sunday, September 13 from 1 to 4 pm .
Due to COVID-19, guests will be required to register in advance and space will be limited to around 50 attendees. To register please call 860-873-9375 and leave a message for Karl Stofko or register online at waidecommunications.com.
Temperatures will be taken before being allowed to enter the event. If you have any COVID-19 symptoms 14 days prior to the event or have been in close contact with someone who has been diagnosed with COVID-19 recently, please do not attend. Mask wearing will be required and social distancing rules will apply. Guests should bring their own hand sanitizers/wipes and water bottles. Since the church is closed to the public please bring your own chair or blanket.
The main speaker will be Dr. John Sweet, associate professor of Early American History at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. His talk is entitled “Venture Smith Matters”.
David George, President and CEO, Director of Research and Tenin Jourdain, Junior Historian and GIS Specialist at Heritage Consultants, LLC will talk about the recent archaeological dig at Venture Smith’s site at the Barn Island Wildlife Management Area in Stonington, CT.
Susi Ryan, 9th generation descendant of Venture Smith and fiber artist will talk about “Connecticut Textiles with Venture Smith’s Narrative”.
Dr. Karl Stofko, East Haddam Town Historican and Venture Smith family genealogist since the 1970s will share his research on some of “Venture Smith’s Neighbors and Good Friends in Connecticut”. A question and answer period will be held at the end of the speakers.
The ladies of “The Sisters In Stitches Joined by the Cloth” will return with their magnificent African American Quilts.
Also, town proclamation, wreath-laying ceremony and family reunion photograph. Please call Karl Stofko at 860-873-9375 with questions.
