RETIREMENT

On June 25^th the Haddam Historical Society honored retiring Education Coordinator, Sarah Neal and retiring Board President, Terry Smith at a reception in the gardens of the Thankful Arnold House Museum.

 Sarah has been at the helm of our scout, camp, and education programs for 18 years and has been a vital part of sharing our community’s history and heritage with area young people and students. Thousands of HK students have benefited from her award- winning education programs over the years from 2^nd grade through 7^th grade, learning about local history to the Civil War. Not only has she created school offerings that are curriculum based, but has brought history to life in a meaningful and enjoyable manner. She created our popular summer experience “A Week in the Life of Early American Child” which is a fun filled weeks of chores, crafts, games, animals and cooking from the early 19^th century. We wish Sarah a joyful and peaceful retirement enjoying her growing family.

Terry Smith has been active in the organization since he and his wife Carol first moved here 32 years ago. Terry has served on the board multiple times, most recently as President. He has been instrumental in organizing and supporting the Connecticut Spring Antiques Show and has enthusiastically been involved in almost every activity, program, and event for the last three decades. Terry has done it all, from making kites with the 5^th graders at HK Intermediate School, manning the HHS booth at the Haddam Neck Fair to putting up and taking down tents, chairs and tables. He is a man of many talents, and we will miss his leadership and enthusiasm. However, both plan to remain involved in the society and support our mission to collect, preserve, interpret and promote the history and heritage of Haddam.

(We apologize for the U.S. Postal Service not delivering the event invitation in a timely manner. Mailings are usually delivered within 3-4 days of drop off and unfortunately in this case it took 11 days). 

PICNIC



Our friends, Clark and Kamilla Gardner, at the Orrin Freeman House at 37 Maple Avenue East have invited members of the Haddam Historical Society to a pot-luck summer picnic to be held on Monday, July 10, 2023, starting at 3 pm.

The Orrin Freeman House is probably one of the most fascinating houses in town. This majestic and romantic style villa was built in 1841. The house is a brick structure with stucco facing. It blends features from the Greek Revival and Italianate periods including the overhanging eaves and porch columns. Freeman, a life-long bachelor, once owned and operated a brickyard and the largest lumberyard and sawmill in Middlesex County and supplied much of the lumber used to build ships at Higganum Landing. In 1908 Eugene Orlando Burr purchased the home and it remains in the family today. Between 1910 and 1942 Burr ran a dairy farm on the premises known as Higganum Dairy. Highlights of the Freeman House include the large “Spirit of ‘76” mural, painted on the southwest elevation of the house; it was painted by Burr’s son-in-law Bill Gardner in 1976 to commemorate the Bicentennial; Gardner also installed a kitchen ceiling clock which measures nine feet and was salvaged from the Middletown Municipal Building clock tower when it was demolished in 1962. It is a sight to behold

If you are interested in attending, please email Lisa at the museum contact@haddamhistory.org and let her know what you are bringing.