The Matthew Curtiss House, home of Newtown Historical Society, at 44 Main Street, is one of the oldest buildings on Main Street.

The historical society will offer a chance to view the historic dwelling and its treasures on Sunday, December 2, when an open house is offered from noon to 4 pm. Docents will be available to lead tours, or visitors will be free to walk through the house on their own. The Curtiss house will be decorated for the holidays, a fire will be roaring at the kitchen hearth, and refreshments will be available.

The house was constructed about 1750 and purchased by Matthew Curtiss in 1781; Curtiss continued to live there until his death in 1824. He is sometimes called Junior, in deference to his father, the first of the family to live in Newtown, though the elder apparently lived in the Berkshire section of town.

Maintained by the historical society as a house museum, the organization’s collections on display are intended to represent the house throughout its life, not just the period of Curtiss ownership. Thus, artifacts range from a tall case clock made in Newtown in the 1780s by Ebenezer Smith to a 19th Century weathervane that swung round the barn of Scrabble developer James Brunot in the 20th Century, to 20th Century graphics and needlework.

All items reflect either a direct Newtown connection or are examples of things that might well have been used in the town, whether for work, play, or to celebrate an occasion.

Newtown Historical Society is an entirely volunteer organization with no paid staff, and volunteer staffing limits the society to one open house per month during the spring and fall. This will be the final open house of the year.

For information about Newtown Historical Society or its programs or offerings, call 203-426-5937 or visit newtownhistory.org.