Jim Bach, one of New Canaan’s favorite historians, presents Alexander Hamilton—Before Broadway on Sunday, March 17th at 4:00 pm in the Lindstrom Room of the New Canaan Historical Society. With inspiration from Lin-Manuel Miranda’s Broadway musical, Bach blends Hamilton’s life in New York City and the tale of the tailor and spy, Hercules Mulligan, with local New Canaan Parish history. Hamilton’s early nearby adventures closely tracked that of several other heroes that New Canaan produced, including Major Tallmadge and Sergeant William Brown. Hear about a few of George Washington’s favorite indispensable aides and one who saved his life—actually twice. Bach may not sing or dance, but his talk is not to be missed!
The 2nd annual New Canaan Antiques, Art and Jewelry Show to benefit the Historical Society will be held on March 9th and 10th in the Historical Society’s main building. An eclectic group of dealers will offer a wide selection of vintage and antique items. There will be paintings, small furniture, pottery, silver, jewelry and all kinds of interesting finds from the 18th century to the mid-century and beyond. Among the dealers will be Gil Rodriguez, back again this year with a large selection of rare books. Gill will also provide a display of Raggedy Ann, the brainchild of local writer John Gruelle over 100 years ago. Dogs on Parade of Westport will return with fun dog related antiques plus unique and eclectic items. Patricia Funt Antiques, formally on Main Street, will bring wood carvings, art, small silver, jewelry, and lots of things that are both amusing and unusual.
Jeffrey Urbin, the Education Specialist and Director of the Pare Lorentz Film Center at the Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum in Hyde Park, New York, will share his thoughts on President Roosevelt, The New Deal and the operations of a presidential library on Sunday, March 3rd at 4 pm in the Lindstrom Room at the New Canaan Historical Society. Urbin oversees the Library’s educational offerings and programs for students of all ages. In addition, he provides training, programs and presentations for teachers and assists museum educators across the country in developing educational programs for their own museums. He has been a pioneer in developing distance learning programs for the Presidential Library System for which he received a 2014 Presidential Libraries Achievement Award. Urbin attended college on a Harry S. Truman Scholarship and is a recipient of the Eugene Sheridan Award for Excellence in History, Government and Economics, numerous teaching awards and the National Guard and Reserve Seven Seals Award. He holds degrees in Public Administration, Political Science, and has a Certificate of Advanced Study in Latin American and Caribbean Affairs.
Celebrate Valentine’s Day at the New Canaan Historical Society’s tea on Thursday, February 14th at 2 pm. Enjoy tea, champagne, refreshments and a performance by The Town Players of New Canaan. They will preview a scene from their upcoming play, “Gaslight,” written by British dramatist Patrick Hamilton in 1938, which opens February 22nd at the Powerhouse Theater. The New Canaan and Canaan Parish Chapters of the National Charity League will prepare and serve finger sandwiches and sweets. The cost is $10 for members and $20 for non-members.
Betty Branch, a member of the Town’s Commission, will present a documentary film on the New Canaan residents who rescued and restored artwork from the Public Works Project and the works Project Administration at the New Canaan Historical Society on Sunday, February 10, from 3:00 to 4:30 pm. Following the film there will be a conversation on all that went in to saving these valuable pieces of art. This presentation is in connection with the current exhibit, A New Deal for the Arts: The Federal Art Project Era 1933-1943, which runs through March 30 at the Historical Society. The New Canaan Historical Society is located at 13 Oenoke Ridge, New Canaan, CT.