Mark your calendars!  will be the featured speaker at Hebron Historical Society’s February 24 meeting.

In April 2003, Pomprowicz participated in a preservation planning survey. The consultant suggested that a local history collection be created with the documents dating 1780-1850, found in the Old Records Building. To do this, the collection needed to be re-housed, cataloged, and a means created to provide access to these historic documents.

“The documents are in good condition for their age, 1780-1850, but they needed protection from further deterioration and risk of loss,” said Pomprowicz. “There were approximately twelve cubic feet of records stored in cardboard file drawers and seem to be in some order. I didn’t feel I had the expertise to determine what that order might be. They were all folded, dated, and tied with string.”

She was later able to obtain a grant from the Connecticut State Library, and with the help of many community volunteers, hired a consultant who made recommendations on how to properly document what the group found. “The historical information contained in these records provides evidence of the culture, politics, religious beliefs, and economy of this 1780-1850 time period in Hebron. A diverse group of people lived in this community. Important political figures, religious figures, business professionals, slaves, Indians, farmers, the poor, the indigent, and the insane resided in Hebron during this time. This collection is as unique as the time period and is the missing link of evidence that will benefit the community by filling a void in a historical timeline. For the first time in modern history this collection will be protected and will be made accessible to the public.”

Pomprowicz will be sharing many of the interesting documents that the group uncovered, and discuss how the information has been catalogued for easier research.

The meeting starts at 7:30 p.m. at Hebron’s Old Town Hall, located just east of the intersection of Routes 66 and 85, and adjacent to the Douglas Library. Plenty of parking is available, with overflow parking located across the street behind Century 21.

Light refreshments will be served; donations are gratefully accepted. For more information, contact Program Chair Louise Casarella at 860-643-9288.