‘History Bites’ Lecture Series

In honor of Revolutionary War General Rochambeau’s march through Connecticut, this season’s “History Bites” lunchtime lecture series is also on the march.

“Marching through Time” will be the theme, with a wide variety of topics, speakers, and time periods covered every Thursday at noon for ten weeks, beginning March 30.

Bethlehem town historian Joseph Shupenis will start the march with “Education in a Small Town,” which will explore schools in Bethlehem from the first theological school in the United States, started by Joseph Bellamy, to the 1920s with the demise of the one-room schoolhouse (contact Old Bethlehem Historical Society, 266-5188 for more information).

On April 6, newspaper columnist Bud Morgan will examine pre-World War II history in Woodbury and the changing character of this town in “Woodbury Between the Wars” (contact Old Woodbury Historical Society, 263-2446).

Leading up to the reenactment of Rochambeau’s march on June 16 and 17 in Southbury, the April 13 lecture, “Rochambeau’s Historic March,” by David Wagner, at Mattatuck Museum (203-753-0381), will provide background on the General and his importance. Members of both the Southbury and Middlebury historical societies will discuss the impact of the march on their communities.

On April 20, at Torrington Historical Society (860-482-8260) curator Gail Kruppa will trace the evolution of The Hotchkiss-Fyler House from a home to a museum in her lecture “Home to History.” “Antiquarians in the Attic,” with executive director Catherine Fields of Litchfield Historical Society (860-567-4501), will highlight 150 years of archival objects and collections on April 27.

In Bethlehem’s Christ Church on May 4, the “History Bites” committee will conduct a forum, asking attendees to share their ideas about the role of history in Connecticut. Laurie Rayner of The Connecticut Humanities Council will discuss the “state of history of the state” (contact The Glebe House Museum, 263-2855).

The fascinating tales of heresy and witchcraft in Connecticut will be explored by state historian Walter Woodward in his talk “Witchcraft in Connecticut on May 11 (contact Glebe House, 263-2855).

“Pull Up A Chair,” with educators Valerie DiLorenzo and Gerry Gecci from Topsmead State Forest (860-567-5694), on May 18, will help people discover the historical and practical uses of antiques.

On May 25, “History Bites” marches back to Bethlehem to explore “Botanical Illustration, Step by step,” by looking at the plants found at The Bellamy-Ferriday House & Garden (266-7596).

On June 1, “Ehrick Rossiter: Architect & Environmentalist,” by curator Bruce Reinholdt, will reconstruct Mr Rossiter’s vision and far-sighted preservation efforts in Washington, Conn. (contact Gunn Historical Library & Museum, 860-868-7756).

The march through time ends on June 8, with a bite back at Flanders Nature Center in Woodbury. A celebration picnic and barbecue dinner will be held from 5:30 to 7:30 pm.

Admission is free for programs, with reservations requested but not required.