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GENNEWS

HISTORICAL SOCIETY PROGRAM ON VAMPIRES

"I vant your blood," says the movie-screen vampire, but on Monday, February

10, the Newtown Historical Society will present a more rational look at the

existence of vampires, or at least the belief in them.

With a slide presentation offered by Connecticut State Archaeologist Nicholas

Bellantoni, based on his research and excavations at Griswold's Walton

Cemetery, the audience will get a look at the widespread New England fear of

vampirism in the 19th Century.

The effects of this fear led to ritual killing of the vampire spirit by

exhumation and reburial of bodies suspected to be vampires. The suspicions

were engendered by the widespread incidence of diseases such as consumption,

or tuberculosis. These diseases, by their wasting nature, seemed to indicate a

draining of the blood of a previously healthy person. The ritual "cures" have

left their mark in the physical evidence of the grave, which Dr Bellantoni

will discuss and illustrate.

In his capacity as state archaeologist, Dr Bellantoni has excavated many sites

across Connecticut, including several in the Newtown area. Most of these have

involved Native American remains, but his findings first at Walton and then at

several other cemeteries in the state have lead to one of his most interesting

presentations.

The program will take place at Newtown's Meeting House, Main Street (Route 25)

at the flagpole, beginning at 8 pm. The meeting is open to the public without

charge, and will be followed by refreshments.