Sunday, June 5th 1:00-4:00 pm

The 27th annual Ice Cream Social, featuring homemade sweets, ice cream, music by the Town Band, plus a parade of classic and vintage cars, takes place on The New Canaan Historical Society grounds, Sunday, June 5. Held rain or shine, the old-fashioned, family-fun event runs from 1-4 pm.

The Town Band, under the direction of Brad Williams, is one of the oldest in the country and celebrates its 185th anniversary this year. One of the earliest cars in New Canaan, a 1904 Northern, given to Ned Farity as a 16th birthday present, will be featured at this year’s event.

There is a lot to do for people of any age: Colonial games and crafts, spinning and weaving demonstrations in the Hanford-Silliman House and visits to the Cody Drug Store—the original pharmacy now recreated at the Historical Society Townhouse. Everyone will enjoy the various presentations by reenactors, Eric Lichek and Lisa Vincz.

The John Rogers Studio with its display of Civil War era statuary, the Tool Museum with the old printing press, and the Rock School (which served children in the Canoe Hill District), will also welcome visitors.

Off-campus, the iconic Little Red Schoolhouse on Carter Street will open its door from 1:30-3:30 pm. Graduates Ruth Ann Kelley and Stephen Gravereaux will share memories of the one-room, five- grade school which closed in 1957. The building was restored by the Society in 2003.

The Ice Cream Social which draws over 800 guests each June offers a contemporary spin on the Historical Society’s stated mission of sharing old traditions by keeping them alive for new generations.

Baskin Robbins is in its 25th year as a sponsor by donating the ice cream. Continuing sponsors are Bankwell of New Canaan and Walter Stewart’s Market.

The National Charity League chapters supply the homemade cakes as well as manpower for the children’s games and cake serving. Members of the Exchange Club will be on ice cream scooping duty.

For more information, please call (203) 966-1776, or go to www.nchistory.org.
The New Canaan Historical Society, 13 Oenoke Ridge, New Canaan, CT 06840.

Pictured in photo: From left Doug Stewart, Walter Stewart’s Market, Janet Lindstrom, New Canaan Historical Society, Anna Krolikowski, Baskin-Robbins, and Diane Knetzger, Bankwell