The Hebron Historical Society

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.

Quilt Show. (Open Saturday 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. and Sunday, 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.) For the 24^th consecutive year, HHS will delight visitors with over a hundred quilts, both modern and historical, displayed at Old Town Hall, located on Main Street, adjacent to the Douglas Library.

The show will once again be hosted by Nathalie Peltier-Horton. Her creativity and artistry are at the heart of the show’s popularity over the years. She collects quilts of all styles and colors and creates a unique display each year. Visitors are allowed to photograph (but not touch) the quilts, so remember to bring your cameras. If you have a quilt you would like to display, please contact Peltier-Horton at 860-645-8421. As a new offering this year, small quilted items will be offered for sale by local quilters. The quilters themselves may either donate items or put them on consignment with a small percentage going to HHS.

Teacup Auction. (Open Saturday 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. and Sunday, 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.) In addition to the quilt show, the Society will offer its usual dazzling array of “teacup auction” items. These baskets and auction items feature things that appeal to all ages, including hand-made goods, kids’ baskets, and food baskets. Raffle tickets for these valuable items are still the same price as they have been for 23 years – 50 cents each or 3 for $1.00. Winning tickets will be drawn Sunday at 3:00 p.m.; you do not need to be present to win. Winners will be called.

Maple Milk Sales.  The Society’s famous Maple Milk will be available in front of the Old Town Hall. This delicious concoction, made with pure maple syrup and fresh whole milk, has been a favorite with visitors for over a decade.

World War II Civilian Aircraft Observation Post. (Open Saturday and Sunday, 10 a.m. – 1 p.m.). Located less than 100 yards north of the Hebron Town Office Building on Route 85, this small, wooden structure was originally located atop Post Hill in 1942, on Route 66 just over the Columbia border. From this lofty location, volunteer civilian observers from Hebron would scan the skies and report all passing aircraft to the Aircraft Warning Service’s Boston Filter Center. After World War II, the lookout post was moved first to the Hebron Fire House on Main Street, then to the Hebron Congregational Church, and then finally in 2012 to its current site. The post, officially called “Freeman #52,” is the last known civilian observation post still in existence.