Haddam Historical Society

Celebrate Connecticut Open House Day and Flag Day at the Thankful Arnold House Museum.

Free Admission
Flag Display
Flag Crafts for children

Refreshments

Thankful Arnold House Shards and Venture Smith featured in New England Antiques Journal

The February issue of New England Antiques Journal has a special section on the Connecticut Spring Antiques Show and features an article by noted local author Anne Farrow on Venture Smith and an interview with Executive Director, Elizabeth Malloy on the Arnold House shards. We will have copies available at the museum if you are interested in picking up a copy. You can also visit the magazine on line at www.antiquesjournal.com

New Collections Items!

Gift of Mr. William Morrissey of Madison, CT
Haddam Neck metal street sign.

Haddam Founders’ Day Dinner
Friday, November 9, 2007
2007 Founders' Day Award Winners Mark Aldieri and Rusty Clowes

On November 9, 2007 the HaddamHistorical Society honored two long time members at the annual Founders’ Day Dinner held at the Wadsworth Mansion in Middletown. For the past 29 years the Society has honored one or more volunteers who have performed outstanding service to the Society and further its mission to “ preserve, collect, interpret and promote the history and heritage of Haddam for present and future generations.” This years Founders’ Day Awards were presented to two gentlemen who have spent countless hours working on historical society endeavors and making the society the vital, vibrant organization it is today.

Rusty Clowes has been active in the society since joining in 2000. He has contributed in many ways from building kites with 5 th graders to chairing our largest fundraiser the Connecticut Spring Antiques Show. He has served on the Board of Directors for two full terms, coordinated and planned the Founders’ Day event and worked as a house captain for the society’s successful historic house tours. However it is as co-chair of the Antiques Show that Rusty has devoted countless hours of service resulting in what has been called “one of the most important authentic antiques shows in the nation” by the Antiques and Arts Weekly.

Rusty and his lovely wife, Diane have a great affection for their community and have enjoyed restoring their historic home in the village of Higganum. Rusty is also very active in local affairs which includes serving on the Zoning Board of Appeals for the Town of Haddam.

Mark Aldieri has also been active in the society since arriving in town many years ago. He has contributed to or volunteered for many activities including the Antiques Show, fundraising auctions, and community outreach events. He also served on the Board of Directors. An architect by profession Mark has assisted the society in many projects and has been instrumental in helping the society address current space needs issues. Known as “Mr. Barn”, he has driven to the four corners of the state looking at potential buildings and has always made himself available for advice and support.

In his spare time he volunteers for the Haddam Neck Volunteer Fire Department, Haddam Neck Fair, and Haddam Lions Club where he donated his time and services in designing the Higganum Green gazebo. He and his wife Jane have carefully restored their historic home in Haddam Neck where they are active community members and leaders.

Barn Survey of Haddam

Barns have long been an integral part of the Connecticut landscape. These outbuildings are the story of our agrarian past and since Colonial times have played a vital role in our community. With the decline of farming in our state many barns have become obsolete and with the pace of rapid development are quickly disappearing.

In the summer of 2006 the Haddam Historical Society plans to conduct a town-wide survey of historic barns and outbuildings and is seeking volunteers to help. Surveyors will be trained and the data collected will be on file at the Society and submitted to the Connecticut Trust for Historic Preservation to be posted on the Connecticut Barns website. The Trust is currently conducting a comprehensive survey of historically significant barns throughout the state and is seeking help from communities in completing the survey.

Haddam has many fine examples of barns ranging from the early “English” style barn to the later “ New England” form. Most, if not all, early homes in town had barns to house animals and finished crops. Some barns were built for specific purposes such as tobacco, poultry, dairy and apples. Some of these buildings are simple in construction and design, others more ornate.

Haddam also has a number of accessory outbuildings and structures which are worthy of documentation including corn cribs, outhouses and root cellars. The Historic Jail property for example has a corn house/piggery and pump house on the property which are important reminders of the history of the site as a working agricultural facility.

If you are interested in helping out with the survey please call Lisa Malloy at the Historical Society for information 345-2400.

Images in America, Haddam 1870-1930
The Haddam Historical Society is please to present Haddam 1870-1930, a pictorial history of the community. Co-authored by Town Historian, Jan Sweet and Professor Charlotte Gradie, Haddam 1870-1930 recounts the story of a dynamic period in the history of our town. Following the Civil War, Haddam's population like many rural New England localities stabilized. Shipping declined and the town lost its courthouse. Rejecting stagnation, the people of Haddam capitalized on their Connecticut River location and fast-running streams to develop industries as complements to agriculture and quarrying. This period of industrial expansion is exemplified by the Cutaway Harrow and Scovil Hoe companies, among others. The population also changed, as immigrants from Ireland, Italy, Czechoslovakia and other countries moved to town to work along side the native Yankees in both agriculture and manufacturing.

The publication features 200 fascinating photographs, some rarely seen before, from private collections and the archives of the Society. The authors interviewed town residents and used historic records and documents in researching the book. Published by Arcadia Publishing, the book is available for $19.99 and may be purchased at the Thankful Arnold House, 14 Hayden Hill Road and other designated locations around town including the Town Office Building, Higganum Pharmacy, Hi-Way Package Store and the River Gallery. For further information please call 860-345-2400.

The Haddam Guides
The Haddam Historical Society has recently instituted a new program called the "Haddam Guides". The guides will offer a personal driving tour of Haddam to new residents, which will highlight historic and significant landmarks in town. The tours which will last about 1 � hours will tell how our community evolved from a shipbuilding river town in the 1700s to an industrial center in the 1800s. Highlights will include historic Haddam Village and Higganum Center. This is an opportunity for new residents to learn about our community's fascinating heritage and important historic sites.

Contact the Society to arrange a tour at your convenience. Weekend and summer evening tours readily available. Shorter, family friendly tours are also available. In addition, we have a Haddam Neck tour available for new residents on the "other side" or for other interested parties.

Call 860-345-2400 for your tour TODAY!