Date: Fri 03-Apr-1998

Publication: Bee

Author: SHANNO

Quick Words:

Curtiss-House-beeswax-Cruson

Full Text:

An Updated Schedule Awaits Visitors To Newtown Historical Society

(with cuts)

BY SHANNON HICKS

In an effort to gain more public attention, the docent program and open house

events at the Matthew Curtiss House in Newtown are being revamped.

In the past, the Matthew Curtiss House has been open every Sunday in May and

June, then September and October. Members of the historical society are hoping

that by changing the open houses to just once a month, coupled with a special

program, more visitors will take an interest in the history of Newtown and the

surrounding area.

The red saltbox home at 44 Main Street in Newtown serves as headquarters for

the Newtown Historical Society. The house has a few dedicated visitors, but

many people seem to feel that once they have seen the interior of the circa

18th century saltbox, they need not make a return trip soon.

"We didn't find we were reaching the public," said Patty Graves, a member of

the historical society and the coordinator of docent scheduling. "We found on

average we had only about eight visitors a week. The docents enjoyed showing

off the house, but we would all like to see more people come out and enjoy the

building."

Beginning this weekend, an open house will be held once a month. Docents --

trained tour guides -- will greet visitors while wearing costumes that reflect

the style of 18th century fashion in Newtown. On Palm Sunday, Newtown resident

Victoria Richardson will be doing candle dipping demonstrations at the Curtiss

House. Programs in upcoming months will include an antiques appraisal day in

May, and a quilting bee and exhibition in June.

Elin Hayes, the current president of the historical society, said advance

response to the scheduling change has already been very positive.

"When you change any format, there is always a test period," she said. "There

is always some apprehension. But the preliminary response already seems like a

good thing. There is a lot of outside interest already."

Palm Sunday Program

This weekend, Victoria Richardson will be the first guest speaker/demonstrator

at the Matthew Curtiss House. She will be demonstrating how to hand-dip

candles. The Richardsons have a family membership in the society, and Vicky

was one of the costumed docents who participated during the Newtown Holiday

Festival in December.

Mrs Richardson and her husband, Todd, purchased the circa 1840 house at 1

Academy Lane in Newtown a few years ago. Today the home is a comfortable

place, with many of Mrs Richardson's homey touches seen from the moment a

visitor enters the front door. There are samplers, dolls and painted boxes in

each room. From the exposed beams in the living room hang pairs of the candles

she makes, using Connecticut-grown beeswax. For the holidays, Mrs Richardson

also makes molded ornaments with beeswax.

"As far as I know, I'm going to be doing this over the hearth," Mrs Richardson

said. In the kitchen of the Matthew Curtiss House is an operating open hearth,

which has been used in the past as a heating source for open house events,

meetings or other programs. A fellow docent will be loaning a large iron pot,

in which the wax will be melted. The beeswax Mrs Richardson uses comes from

Don Taylor, a beekeeper in Danbury.

While she is demonstrating the dipping process, Mrs Richardson will have a

running commentary covering each step of the process. "It's pretty easy," she

said. "You just have to be careful not to burn yourself."

She will also have a supply of her candles and ornaments available for

purchase, with half of any money she earns on Sunday being donated to the

Newtown Historical Society. Mrs Richardson says she hopes to return later in

the year to present another program, perhaps on stitching samplers or quilting

procedures.

Still Seeking Docents

For the first time in a number of years, the historical society sent out a

bulk mailing last week inviting the public to become members. At the same

time, says Elin Hayes, the society is especially looking for people to become

docents.

Presently the society has nine docents, but two will be moving soon. The

society also has five junior docents, younger historians who become involved

in the society usually when their parents join. Junior docents are generally

middle or high school age. "The junior docents are very active," Mrs Hayes

said.

"The girls are very mature for their age," added Patty Graves. "They're so

knowledgeable, they put some of us to shame! But they love giving the tours,

and people love to talk to them."

To become a docent, says Mrs Graves, members have one training session with

Sally O'Neil, who presents the ins and outs of the Matthew Curtiss House.

Docents need to have the time to volunteer for the afternoon open house

events. Most importantly, they also need to have an interest in and a love for

sharing local history.

Memberships are $10 per year for an individual, or $15 for a family. Lifetime

memberships are $100. Membership includes the society's newsletter, The

Rooster's Crow , which has society updates, previews, and at least one article

by Newtown's Town Historian, Dan Cruson.

"The thing with memberships," Elin Hayes pointed out, "is you don't have to be

an active member. You can be a member without being involved in every program,

but it's nice to be involved. I just took it a step further," she laughed. Mrs

Hayes has been a member for four years. She was a trustee during her first

three years as a member. This is her first term as president.

"You certainly don't have to live in a historic house to become a member," she

added. "That's a misconception. We get people in all types of homes, with all

different interests, who get involved. That's the kind of broad-based support

we enjoy."

Vicky Richardson will be demonstrating beeswax candle dipping Sunday, April 5,

from 2 to 5 pm. Programs at the Matthew Curtiss House, 44 Main Street in

Newtown, are open to the public free of charge.

For information on joining the historical society, leave a message for Elin

Hayes, president, at 426-5937.