The Hebron Historical Society

Local supporters of the Peters House got some welcome good news recently, with the announcement that the home had been identified for inclusion as part of Connecticut’s Freedom Trail. “I just found out five hours ago,” said Donna McCalla at a public hearing regarding the house at the Hebron Town Hall on Feb. 5. “We are just thrilled.” The hearing was an opportunity for residents to discuss the home’s designation as a local historic property.

McCalla was joined by more than 40 people at the public hearing, including many direct descendants of Cesar and Lois Peters. Alethia Daughtrey, who is writing a book about the Peters family, travelled all the way from Massachusetts to support the house. “Learning about your own history is very, very different from sitting in class,” she said. Daughtrey recalled her first glimpse of the Peters House in a book at a local library . “Now there’s something that connects us to history,” she said. She made her first trip to the house with a large group of other descendants. “We wanted to kiss the ground,” said Daughtrey. “We want to lend our voices to designating it as an historic property.”

Other descendants voiced support as well, including a young man named Ade, who identified himself as a great, great, great, great, great grandson of Cesar Peters . “I feel that the house should be made into a museum,” he said.

Dan Larson, a member of the Hebron Board of Finance, identified the Peters House as a national treasure. “It would bring people to Hebron. It would get people talking about Hebron. Why not take advantage of what you’ve got?” asked Larson.

Resident David Morrison referred to other historic homes that had been torn down, their land paved over to make room for parking lots. “It’s documented as historic. It’s time to designate it as historic,” said Morrison.

Please designate this house,” said Chris Ambrose.

Rich Cassatta referred to the house when he stood up to volunteer for another five years on the Historic Properties Commission. Cassatta said that, after 10 years of service, he had hesitated to volunteer again. “I think there’s a perception in town that we’re a treehugging , old house radical group,” said Cassatta. When asked by selectman Brian O’Connell how things could be improved, Cassatta said he felt that education was the key. “We’re not just here to hug the old house,” he said. “The value to the town of Hebron is huge.”

The Hebron Board of Selectmen is scheduled to vote on the Peters House designation at their next regular meeting on Feb. 19.

"Impassioned attendees at Thursday night's public hearing on the proposed historical designation of the Peters House in Hebron begged the selectmen to preserve that one resident called a "national treasure."  Traci Dutcher Hastings, Willimantic Chronicle.

Read the Chronicle Article.

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Despite a heavy snowstorm on Thursday, February 24, Marie Billard entertained over 25 people with her program "Frolic in the World of Quilts." It was a delightful evening as Marie showed slides of quilts from all over the world, including Holland, Denmark, Hawaii, Australia and New Zealand.

She also displayed more than 50 of her own quilts, which the attendees were able to touch, feel, and closely study.

Marie is an accomplished quilter with many years of experience with the craft. Her wonderful quilts are routinely displayed at the Historical Society's annual Maplefest Quilt Show.

Quilt Gallery

When Hebron celebrates its 16th Annual Maple Fest this weekend, the Hebron Historical Society will conduct its 17th annual Quilt Show at Hebron’s Old Town Hall.  The Quilt Show is open both Saturday and Sunday from 10:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m.

Hebron resident and well-known quilter Nathalie Peltier Horton is once again hosting the show.  She will be displaying 100 quilts that feature designs and fabrics from the historic to the modern.    This year, Horton will be highlighting the quilts of nationally renowned quilter Susan Ferraro. Ferraro has also has appeared on HGTV’s “Simply Quilts” program.

Hebron’s Bicentennial Quilt, crafted in 1976 in honor of America’s Bicentennial, will be displayed for the first time in many years.  Other new and unique quilts by Marie Billard, Jane Wielhauwer, Carla Bue, and Pat Muckenstrom, among others, will also be shown.

Horton will be displaying some of her own unique landscape quilts she has created in the past year, and will be providing quilt demonstrations on both Saturday and Sunday.  These demonstrations have been especially popular not only for experienced quilters with detailed questions, but also for those new to quilting.

The suggested donation for the Quilt Show is $2 for adults, and free for children under 12.

In addition, Carla Bue, known statewide as a pre-eminent quilt historian and appraiser, will be available at Old Town Hall from 10:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m on Saturday.  A few weeks ago, Bue delighted over 50 attendees at the Society’s February program, and she will provide written appraisals for your quilt for a nominal fee of $25. 

Joan Toomey will once again be selling her famous “Icy Maple Milk”, but this year will be located in front of the Gale home at 14 Main Street, in between the American Legion and Artisan Framing.  Many people come to the Maple Fest just to savor Toomey’s Maple Milk.

The Society will be selling its book, Images in America: Hebron, at the event for $20.  There are less than 40 copies of the book left, so this may be your last chance to purchase it! 

Finally, the Society will conduct its famous “Teacup Auction” of many valuable gift baskets and collectibles, most of which are hand-crafted by local artists and residents.  The Teacup Auction features items which will delight all age groups.  Winners will be called Sunday night; you need not be present to win.