Haddam Historical Society

Thankful Arnold House Museum

News and Events

March 24, 2023

Historic Houses of the Connecticut River Valley

Sunday, March 26, 2023

2 PM

Haddam Fire Station #1, 439 Saybrook Road, Higganum, CT

Alain Munkittrick, architect, architectural historian, and historic preservationist will talk about his new book Historic Houses of the Connecticut River Valley. He has curated historic images of many important and architectural significant dwellings found from the Canadian border to Long Island Sound along with extensive research to create a fascinating look at important cultural landmarks.

Haddam buildings are some of the buildings highlighted.

Free to HHS members, suggested $5 donation for non-members.

Driveway Work

Work is underway on the museum’s driveway stonewall. Brian Babbitt and crew have been carefully dismantling and rebuilding the stone wall. The driveway will be slightly wider and drainage has been upgraded. Unlike the driveway work that was done in 2016, we haven’t uncovered a “hidden midden”, only a few pieces of metal and ceramic sherds.

Article Heading

Kathleen and Ralph W. Ely, III recently made a substantial archival donation to the Society including the diaries of the May Dickinson, Matron of the Haddam Jail and related material, including newspaper articles, photographs, and genealogies.

Kathy has done extensive research on May Atkins Dickinson who was Jail Matron between 1905-1911. Her job consisted of updating jail records, entering admission and discharge notes and overseeing the women inmates. Her story is fascinating one and an important addition to our collection.

We plan an exhibit in the future. Below is an excerpt from March 30, 1911

30 Thursday March

Cold pleasant day Sheriff went

up to Court on the 9 train Jimmie

Moore went out Sheriff went up

and opened Court and at noon

to Hartford Horace was here ?

and he and Alice looked for

greens not much doing all day no

prisoners came rather quiet day

Alice and I went up after cod

fish tongues and in the evening

Mrs Dickinson & Dorthea came

down we played 500 had

a pleasant evening

went to bed about 11.

Mark your Calendars!

· March 26, Sunday at 2 pm-HHS program “Historic Houses of the CT River Valley”, at Haddam Fire Station, 439 Saybrook Road, Higganum

· April 16, Sunday at 2 pm-History Walk at Higganum Cove. Park and meet at Rossi site on Depot Hill at 2 pm.

· April 30, Sunday, 1 pm to 3 pm. Groundbreaking Event at Scovil Hoed Historic Restoration, 11 Candlewood Hill Road, Higganum

· May 5, Friday Night, 6 pm to 8 pm. Tag Sale Preview Party with wine and nibbles. Thankful Arnold House.

· May 6, Saturday, 8 am to 2 pm-TAG SALE at museum.

· May 18, Thursday, 6:30 Annual Meeting 7:00 Program-Night Boat to New York by Erik Hesselberg, at Haddam Fire Station, 439 Saybrook Road, Higganum

· June 10, Saturday, 4 pm Croquet and Chardonnay Fundraiser, 268 Walkley Hill Road, Haddam (rain date June 11)

· June 26, Sunday 12 pm to 4 pm, Connecticut’s Historic Gardens Day at the Museum.

Haddam Historical Society/ www.haddamhistory.org / 860-345-2400/ contact@haddamhistory.org

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