News from the Museum

Haddam Historical Society

Thankful Arnold House Museum and Haddam Shad Museum

September 15, 2023

Saturday, September 23, 2023 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.

· We are still looking for a few volunteers to help us out during the day. If you have a couple hours to assist please call the office at 860-345-2400 or email us at contact@haddamhistory.org. 2 hour shifts.

Cell Block Tales: Tour the Jail and Meet the Prisoners

Saturday, October 7 from 1 pm to 4 pm

Sunday, October 8 from 1 pm to 4 pm

The Haddam Historical Society will host a tour of the historic Haddam Jail cellblock on Saturday, October 7, and Sunday, 8, 2023 from 1 pm to 4 pm. Visitors will meet some of the famous and not so well-known, historic prisoners who were incarcerated in the Haddam Jail in the 19^th and 20^th century.

Local actors and volunteers will portray real prisoners who were jailed for various crimes including arson, bigamy, and murder. We are partnering with the local theater group, Blue Fire Stage Company. Learn more about Blue Fire Stage Company at www.bluefirestage.org.

Come and hear their stories, learn their fates including the Candy Store Arsonists, the Lady Bigamist and the Bad, Bold Pirate.

Admission is $10 for adults, children 12 to 18 $5 and children under 12 are free. For more information visit www.haddamhistory.org or call 860-345-2400. Tours will start at 1:00 pm, 1:45 pm, 2:30 pm, and 3:15 pm. Tickets can be purchased online by visiting our website.

· We are also looking for volunteers to help us out on both Saturday and Sunday to help check-in, serve refreshments and make sure things run smoothly. Call the office 860-345-2400 or email contact@haddamhistory.org

Shad Museum Meet and Greet

Volunteers will meet at the Haddam Shad Museum on Saturday, September 30 at 10 am to review the status of the museum and talk about opportunities to help the museum in the next phase of restoration. In the future we will need help with painting, landscaping, electrical work, carpentry and more. If you would like to ASSIST please join us on the 30^th.

The museum is now located at 272 Saybrook Road in Higganum

Preservation Task Force Meeting

Wednesday, October 4, 2023

7 pm

Community Center,

7 Candlewood Hill Road, Higganum, CT

The demolition of the Hazenhurst Barn in August was a devastating loss to Haddam. The landmark building had suffered years of neglect and deferred maintenance with no ramifications and little intervention. The town should have incentives, ordinances, and policies in place to prevent this from happening again. Middletown has planned a tax abatement program would allow owners of historical buildings to apply for up to a 10-year tax relief incentive. Many Connecticut communities have preservation ordinances or local historic districts.

There are a number of ways to protect and preserve our local landmarks and concerned residents need to work with officials and property owners to prevent this from happening again. But it will take work and involvement. If protecting our town’s historic character is important to you PLEASE join us on October 4 at 7 pm at the Community Center at 7 Candlewood Hill Road.

Join us and representatives from Preservation Connecticut to learn about ways we can encourage historic property owners to maintain, preserve and protect their important buildings for generations to come.

We need your help …

• Gift Certificates and Product Donations

• Product Donations

• Sponsorships

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

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.

Below is the Auction Donation form for you to solicit donations or use to donate an item to the event.

Auction Donation Form 2023

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

contact@haddamhistory.org

www.haddamhistory.org

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