Event Calendar

Chatham Historical Society

Jan 6, 2018

David K. Leff

The Chatham Historical Society and East Hampton Library are co-sponsoring a talk by naturalist writer, David Leff, on Sat. Jan. 6, 2018 at 1 pm at the East Hampton Library Community Room at 105 Main St. in East Hampton. Leff will present a slide presentation on his book, Maple Sugaring: Keeping It Real in New England. The talk is part of the “Cabin Fever Winter Talk History Program.”
Join David for a slide illustrated talk about maple sugaring. Explore the mysteries and mystique of maple sugaring and meet the dedicated, sometimes quirky folks who make it. Find out how this unique and ancient northeastern North American product was discovered and the high tech techniques it takes to produce it today. Are sugarmakers the canary in the coal mine for climate change? Why do some people think maple syrup is the next miracle food? Learn how you can make and enjoy your own syrup. As a former sugarmaker and board member of the Connecticut Maple Syrup Producers Association, he’ll give you an insider’s view. Books will be available for sale and signing. A great gift for anyone who loves New England.

Directions: From the Stop & Shop on Route 66 in East Hampton go south on Main St. for approx. .5 mile. The library is on the left side of the road.

Feb 10, 2018

Zachary Lamothe

The Chatham Historical Society and East Hampton Library are co-sponsoring a talk by history writer, Zachary Lamothe, on Sat. Feb. 10, 2018 at 1 pm at the East Hampton Library Community Room at 105 Main St. in East Hampton. Lamothe will tell stories from his book, Connecticut Lore: Strange, Off-Kilter, & Full of Surprises. The talk is part of the “Cabin Fever Winter History Program.”
Connecticut Lore is an offbeat travel guide to more than 58 unusual and out-of-the-way places. Learn the history of Connecticut through tales of legends, folklore, and personal anecdotes and discover the truth about the abandoned Holy Land, Moodus resorts, and other places. Lamothe has discovered that Connecticut is “full of surprises” and worth investigating whether you’re a local or an out-of-towner. Nooks and crannies are inhabited by ghost towns, large man-beasts, and inbred creatures with oblong heads. Folk artists who created religious sanctuaries out of trash are just some of the oddities you will see. Visit abandoned Norwich State Hospital and Daniel’s Village, hear stories of demonic possessions, and discover the mysteries of Plum Island and the lore of Pirate treasure and witchcraft. Lamothe has also written More Connecticut Lore: Guidebook to 82 Strange Locations. His books will be available for sale and signing.

Zachary Lamothe, a native of Norwich, Conn., was always intrigued by local lore and history. Today, he lives in the Boston area and enjoys the Red Sox, music, and exploring the world around him.

March 10, 2018

Don Burr

The Chatham Historical Society & East Hampton, CT Library are co- sponsoring a slide presentation by Don Burr entitled “50 Years of Traveling the World,” on Sat. Mar. 10, 2018 at 1 pm at the East Hampton Library Community Room at 105 Main St. in East Hampton. The talk is part of the “Cabin Fever Winter History Talk Program.”
Join Don Burr, a member of the CHS, for a Power Point presentation on his many trips that have taken him to over 34 countries and six continents. Some of the places he will describe and show photos are: England, Japan, Netherlands, Germany, Poland Russia, Laos, Cambodia, Taiwan, Korea, India, Nepal, Egypt, Mexico, Portugal, Zimbabwe, China, and Israel. It will be a mini trip around the world.
The event is free and open to the public. Seating in the library limited to 80 people so come early. You may register at the library or call (860) 267-6621. Refreshments will be served and good

March 24, 2018

Antique Appraisal

The Chatham Historical Society will host its 23rd annual Antique Appraisal Day, Saturday, March 24 from 9 -1 at the East Hampton Library Community Room, 105 Main Street. There will be four appraisers on site: Bill Barrows of Thomas Barrows and Sons, Ltd. of Portland, Larry Shapiro of Glastonbury Appraisals, and Michael Westman and Justine DeMetrick of Newport, R.I.

Verbal appraisals will be given on furniture, glassware, china, artwork, musical instruments, military pieces, dolls, jewelry, quilts as well as European, Asian, and Island items and more. There is a suggested donation of $6 per item for this event. This is a major fundraiser for the continual upkeep of the society’s two museum buildings and 1840 one-room schoolhouse on Bevin Boulevard.

Light refreshments of coffee, tea, cookies, fruit, and assorted desserts can also be purchased. For more information, call 860 267-8953.

How much is your stuff worth?

Before your next tag sale, get an appraisal so you don’t end up giving away treasures.
Imagine selling a painting at a yard sale for $1.00, then learning the buyer later sold it at auction for $10,000. You’d want to kick yourself.

On the PBS program “Antiques Roadshow,” You frequently get people bringing in something that they bought for $5 that’s worth $3,000 to $4,000.

Whether you want to know an item’s value for a sale, insurance coverage, estate valuation, a charitable donation, or just to satisfy your curiosity, it’s often worth spending our suggested $6.00 per item to find out.

April 23, 2018

East Hampton Walk

The Chatham Historical Society is organizing a walking tour of Downtown East Hampton, CT on Sunday, April 29 at 1 pm as part of its “Explore East Hampton” monthly series of walks. Come for a walk back in time and learn about the proud and glorious history of the center of ‘our little village.’ The walk is sponsored by the East Hampton Parks and Recreation Dept.
Hunt Voelker, a native of East Hampton, will lead the walk. He has lived in East Hampton for 90 years and has strong interest in East Hampton’s history and is interested in sharing it with others.

May 2018

June 6, 2018

Church Walk

The Chatham Historical Society is organizing a walking tour of the three churches in the Village of East Hampton on Sunday, June 3 at 1 p.m. as part of its “Explore East Hampton” monthly series of walks. Come for a walk back in time and learn about history of three historic village churches. The walk is sponsored by the East Hampton Parks and Recreation Dept.

Chatham Historical Society (CHS) member Marty Podskoch will lead the walk that will begin at the CHS Museum Complex at 6 Bevin Boulevard. Parking is available by the museum or behind the Center School.

The tour will first go to the Congregational Church on Main St. and learn its history and include a walk through its facilities. The group will then walk to the Bethlehem Lutheran Church on East High St. The final stop on the tour will be St. Patrick’s Catholic Church on West High St. The tour will then return to the CHS Museum that will be open to explore. Those that are unable to walk can still participate by traveling by car.

June 17, 2018

Town Tag Sale

Applications for the annual Chatham Historical Society Town Wide Tag Sale on June 17 are now available at the East Hampton Town Hall, the East Hampton Public Library and the Chatham Historical Society Museum, 6 Bevin Blvd. (during open hours) Application deadline is June 3. Cost to participate is a $15 donation to the CHS, which supports future programming, exhibits and building maintenance. Rain date for the tag sale is June 24 if noted on your application. 860-267-4732, Debbie Day for information.

August 5, 2018

Bevin Bell Tour

The Chatham Historical Society is hosting a walking tour of the Bevin Bells factory in East Hampton on Sunday at 1 p.m. Walkers will learn the history of the company tour the factory, and learn how the bells are made. They will also visit the original factory site that was destroyed by fire in 2012. The walk is sponsored East Hampton Parks and Recreation Dept.

During the early 1800s, Abner and William Bevin became indentured servants to William Barton, the first bell maker in what became the modern town of East Hampton. After finishing out their obligations to Barton, the two brothers set up small foundries in their backyards and began casting bells. They decided to go into business together in 1832. With the addition of brothers Chauncey and Philo, the Bevin Brothers Manufacturing Company truly became a family business. The company thrived well into the 1900s by producing a wide variety of bells for shipment all over the world. Bevin Brothers made tea bells, ice cream bells, door bells, naval bells, and even replicas of the Liberty Bell.

August 25, 2018