News from the Museum

Haddam Historical Society

Thankful Arnold House Museum and Haddam Shad Museum

September 7, 2023

Thank you to Fair Volunteers!

Thank you to the following people for helping out at the Haddam Historical Society tent at the Haddam Neck Fair over Labor Day weekend.

Jane Aldieri
Alice Charest
Marijean Conrad
Gloria Gorton
Gretchen Gregg
Bill Gresham
Elias Lowery
Ron and MaryAlice Matulevich
Terry Smith
Elaine Stephens

Haddam Metal Detecting Rally

On Saturday, September 23, 2023 the Haddam Historical Society will hold its first fundraising Metal Detecting Rally on a private historic site in the Town of Haddam. The 50+ acre property was actively farmed prior to the Revolutionary War through the 20^th century by the same family. For details please visit our web site at www.haddamhistory.org. There will be opportunities for a full day of detecting or half day slots. Join us for this exciting opportunity to discover and uncover history.

Time:

September 23, 2023 from 8am to 5Pm

(Rain date Sunday, September 24, 2023)

Location: Text/ Emailed out Friday September 22nd at 8pm.

Cost:

Full Day Adult $50

Half Day Adult $25

Child (<18) with a paying adult $1

Child (<18) without a paying adult $15 (Adult can’t go into field)

HHS Membership = Discount of $5 off above prices

Shad Museum Update

The Haddam Shad Museum has been the subject of considerable conversation lately with respect to its new location and condition.

Background: The Haddam Shad Museum was founded by Dr. Joe Zaientz in 1997 as a homage to the “Founding Fish”, the shad. He collected archives, photographs, and objects that told the story of shad fishing along the Connecticut River and its importance to the Town Haddam. Concerned about the future of the museum he gifted it to the Haddam Historical Society which is dedicated to seeing it remain an important local landmark.

The property on which the museum stood at 212 Saybrook Road was on the market to be sold and the museum HAD to be moved. A dozen sites were looked at until the Town of Haddam offered us the opportunity to move it to the vacant Haddam Elementary School. This site was the best solution as it would keep the museum in Higganum and it would be a relatively short move. The new site would allow more visibility. It was understood that the site could ultimately be developed as a multi-generational recreational space. The town indicated that it should be located in the northwest corner. We were happy to have space to move it to and the volunteers to do it. It needed to be done immediately. If the ultimate design of the new multi-generational recreational space requires another move, we will cross that bridge then. We did not want to lose the opportunity offered to us.

Our few Shad Museum volunteers are older. They are doing their best to get the museum back up and running but rely on outside forces to move forward. The weather has not cooperated. There has been much disrespectful chatter on social media and we would ask those who take issue to join the Shad Museum Committee, volunteer your time, or make a donation. Call the Town Planner or Town Office Building if you want to discuss the location.

On Saturday, September 30 at 10 am at HES we will have a meet and greet at the museum to discuss ongoing work and opportunities to volunteer.

The Haddam Historical Society Presents

A Town-Wide Online Silent Auction

Nov. 3 through Nov. 10, 2023

Preview Party 6 pm, Nov. 3

Haddam Elementary School

We need your help …

• Gift Certificates and Product Donations

• Item Donations

• Sponsorships

The Haddam Historical Society is soliciting the business community for gift certificates, product donations sponsorships for our annual fundraiser. Proceeds will support the society’s educational programs, scholarships, collections care and acquisitions.

Last year’s auction created significant buzz as neighbors, friends and families actively followed the week-long auction and bid on 200 plus items, raising more than $10,000. Area residents also donated curated items and experiences.

Leading up to the auction, the society will extensively promote the event through social media and paid advertising. Business donors will be recognized on the auction website, in a pre-event advertising placed in the Haddam, East Haddam and Killingworth newspaper, on the Haddam Historical Society website, Facebook and e-mail blasts.

Rockrimmon Lodge, Higganum, CT

Haddam Historical Society/P.O. Box 97, Haddam, CT 06438/ 860-345-2400

contact@haddamhistory.org

www.haddamhistory.org

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