The Hebron Historical Society

Historical Society Presents Program on One-Room Schoolhouse Education on April 18

On April 18th at 7:30 p.m., educational expert and publisher Michael Day will give a presentation entitled, “The One Room Schoolhouse: What Was It Really Like?” at the Old Town Hall on 26 Main Street in Hebron.

Historical Society “At the Center” of Maple Fest 23 on March 16 & 17

With the maple sap running and winter drawing to a close, it’s time once again for Hebron’s Maple Fest weekend on March 16^th & 17^th. The Hebron Historical Society will be at the center of the action, with a variety of exhibits right near the center of town.

In recent years, the popular annual event has drawn thousands of visitors from Hebron and surrounding towns in eastern and central Connecticut. As in the past, a key part of the festivities will be the Hebron Historical Society’s quilt exhibit and teacup auction. These will be the only HHS-sponsored events open on Sunday, March 10.

Bringing the Past to Life. Mary Brown, Governor of the Connecticut Society of Mayflower Descendants, dressed in colonial era clothing, recently delivered a presentation entitled “The Pilgrims and their Legacy”, sponsored by the Hebron Historical Society.On Thursday, September 27th, a crowd of 50 people gathered at Hebron's Old Town Hall to hear a lively presentation from Mary Brown, Governor of the Connecticut Society of Mayflower Descendants. The educational program was hosted by The Hebron Historical Society.

Among the attendees were nearly two dozen Connecticut residents who can trace their roots to the original group of English pilgrims who had settled at Plymouth, Massachusetts in 1620. Ms. Brown noted that approximately 10 million Americans today are direct descendants of the 51 pilgrims who survived the first difficult winter on Cape Cod.

During the presentation, Ms. Brown entertained and informed the audience with stories drawn from a lifetime of experience researching and teaching about the Mayflower story. With a warm sense of humor, she outlined what daily life was like for the early New England settlers and showed how the fledgling Plymouth Plantation sent a small delegation to Windsor, Connecticut, to establish a fur trading post.

Ms. Brown's presentation was followed by a question and answer session and refreshments. The Hebron Historical Society's next educational program will be a talk and photo presentation on "Farming in Eastern Connecticut, 1890-1940 by Bruce Clouette on October 25, 2012.

Mark your calendars for Thursday, September 27. Hebron Historical Society will be holding their first meeting of the fall at Old Town Hall beginning at 7:30 p.m.

Mary Brown, currently Governor of the Connecticut Society of Mayflower Descendants, will be speaking. Her topic will be "Pilgrims and Their Legacy." She will give attendees a view of their journey and the establishment of their colony in Plymouth, MA.

The group of 102 passengers who crowded aboard Mayflower for the crossing was not homogenous. Many of the passengers were members of the Leiden, England congregation, but they were joined by a number of other English families or individuals hoping to better their life situations or to seek financial gain. These two general groups have sometimes been referred to as the "saints" and "strangers." A replica of the Mayflower can be visited today in Plymouth, MA.

Today there are tens-of-millions of individuals descended from these brave souls, including six U.S. presidents, one astronaut, and even Marilyn Monroe! The Mayflower Society seeks to preserve our heritage. It is the goal of that organization to join together people who share this heritage and to carry on the memory of our Pilgrim ancestors.

Mary will include Connecticut's role in the Plymouth Colony in her talk.

Mary is a retired educator and has a keen interest in genealogy. She belongs to several hereditary societies and works on the education or scholarship committees of many of them. Mary founded the National Society of Descendants of Textile Workers of America, Inc. which was established to promote the history of the American Industrial Revolution, preserve the contributions of its patriots (i.e., textile workers) and provide scholarships to vocational school students.

Old Town Hall is located just east of the intersection of Routes 85 and 66. The public is cordially invited to attend. Overflow parking is available across the street behind Century 21. Light refreshments will be served; donations are gratefully accepted.

For more information, please call Program Chair Louise Casarella at 860-643-9288.