Gunn Museum Spring Reception Will Celebrate Two New Exhibitions

WASHINGTON — The Gunn Historical Museum will be having a Spring Reception on Sunday, June 3, from 1 to 4 pm, at the museum to celebrate the opening of its two new exhibits and to meet the Gunn’s new curator, Stephen Bartkus. Guest curators Florence de Dampierre of Litchfield and eighth grade students from Shepaug Valley Middle School will be in attendance.

Gunn Historical Museum at 5 Wykeham Road, at the intersection of Wykeham Road and Route 47. Refreshments will be served under the tent, rain or shine. This event is free and open to the public.

Ms de Dampierre, a noted furniture historian, author and interior designer, is the guest curator of the new exhibit, “Country Chairs: From Children to Garden and Everyday Use.” The exhibit showcases an eclectic collection of country chairs from the Gunn Museum and many private collections throughout the area. The chairs featured in this exhibition range from the most elemental form, the handcrafted hedge chair, to the elaborate workmanship of the marriage chair.

The variety of country chairs on display is a feast for the eyes, a grouping of all shapes and sizes spanning three centuries. Ms de Dampierre’s use of color has transformed the museum, making the exhibit a sight to be seen.

The Shepaug Valley Middle School eighth graders, under the guidance of their history teacher Michael Croft, are the guest curators of the new exhibit, “Abner Mitchell: Letters of a Civil War Soldier.”

Abner Mitchell, a Washington resident, was drafted into the Civil War in August 1863 with family tragedy mounting. Despite town pleas to send a substitute, he left “Baby Mary” in the hands of relatives and answered the call of duty, entering into Company B of the 6th Regiment of Connecticut Volunteers. Abner met his fate at the battle of Deep Run, Virginia, in 1864.

Shepaug Middle School eighth graders had the opportunity to piece together Abner Mitchell’s life through the letters that he sent from the battlefront to his family in Washington. Michael Croft’s history classes transcribed 49 of Mitchell’s letters this year, “a discovery that usually gets sent to a college professor,” said Mr Croft. Together the class has created a book and exhibit that will be showcased at the Gunn Historical Museum. Civil War reenactors will be setting up camp on the grounds of the museum for the day of the reception.

Both exhibits continue through August 31.

Museum hours are Thursday, Friday and Saturday from 10 am until 4 pm, and Sunday from noon to 4 pm. Call 860-868-7756 for additional information.