OCTOBER
Saturday, October 7, 10:00 am to 4:00 pm
41st Annual Old Wethersfield Arts & Crafts Fair
One of our most popular fundraising efforts, the Old Wethersfield Arts & Crafts Fair, returns to Cove Park for the 41st time. As always, there will be pottery, woodworking, prints, jewelry, textiles and fabric art, painting, photography, and so much more. For a complete list of participating crafters and detailed information about the event, please visit the dedicated page on our website HERE. Many of your favorite crafters and vendors return year after year. Round Hill Alpacas will be making their yearly visit to Cove Park. Free parking is available along State Street, and adjacent to the DMV. Admission for current WHS members and children under 12 accompanied by an adult is free. Advance purchase tickets will be available beginning September 1; through this link to EventBrite or in-person at the Old Academy (150 Main Street, Wethersfield) for $7 until 5:00 pm on October 6. Tickets purchased after that time cost $10.00. Due to the nominal nature of the admission charge, only cash will be accepted at the gate.
Sunday, October 8, 1:00 pm – 2:30 pm
Tree Tour and History of Broad Street Green
Our friends at the Wethersfield Village Improvement Association have invited WHS members and the general public to join them for a walk around the Broad Street Green. The walk will focus on the wide collection of older and newer trees, as well as some of the interesting history that has taken place on this Town Green.
The tour will meet near the bench on Constitution Way. Park off street around the Green. People can leave the tour whenever they need to. There will be a handout about the trees. Wear comfortable shoes and bring a water bottle. This event will take place rain or shine and is free and open to the public.
For more information, email wethvia@icloud.com
Friday, October 13 & Saturday, October 14
14th Annual Old Wethersfield Lantern Light Tours
(start at 6:30pm and depart every 15 minutes until 8 pm)
Characters on this year’s tours are drawn from Wethersfield’s tumultuous 19th century and share their diverse life experience with our visitors. Tours depart from the Keeney Memorial Cultural Center (200 Main Street) every fifteen minutes between 6:30pm and 8:00pm. Tours progress through the historic Hurlbut-Dunham House, First Church, and the Ancient Burying Ground. For more detailed information about this year’s tours, please visit the dedicated page on on our website HERE. Tickets are $25.00 and will be available beginning September 1, either on-line through this link to EventBrite or in person at the Old Academy (150 Main Street) between 10am and 4pm, Tuesday through Friday. Ticket quantities are limited to 21 per tour, so get your tickets early.
In the event of inclement weather, provisions have been made to conduct these tours indoors. There is no rain date.
N.B. This approximately 70-minute journey through the past covers about one mile through occasionally uneven terrain and dimly lit areas. Participants are advised to wear good walking shoes and dress appropriately for the weather. This program is not recommended for children under the age of 13.
Saturday, October 21, 10:00 am – Ancient Burying Ground Tour
WHS’ Research Librarian Martha Smart leads another fascinating tour through Wethersfield’s Ancient Burying Ground. The Ancient Burying Ground and Village Cemetery have served as the final resting place for Wethersfield residents for over 300 years. Learn about the individuals buried there and the evolution of grave stone iconography on this 90-minute tour. Tours meet at the red barn beside First Church’s (250 Main Street, Wethersfield) parking lot.
Admission is $10 per person for the general public. Current WHS members receive free admission.
Saturday, October 28, 6:30pm – 10:30pm
The Witch of Blackbird Pond Ball
The date and time have been set for this year’s edition of The Witch of Blackbird Pond Ball. If you attended last year, you know what a fabulous time this exclusive 21-and-over event was. Everything you loved about the inaugural event will be back in this installment, along with some new twists. Local author Elizabeth George Speare’s Newberry Award-winning novel still serves as the inspiration for this uniquely “Wethersfield” event. Attendees are again invited to come in costume, but it’s not a requirement. Visit the ball’s dedicated page HERE for more complete details on the event.
Tickets for this exclusive 21-and-over event are $75 per person and will be available beginning September 1. They can be purchased online at EventBrite or in person at the Old Academy (150 Main Street, Wethersfield) Tuesday – Friday, 10:00 am to 4:00 pm.
All proceeds from the Ball benefit Wethersfield Historical Society’s educational programming.