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Becky Giantonio, Pita Communications
(860) 293-0157, ext. 25; becky@pitacomm.com
Lazy Summer Days? They’re “History” at the
Webb-Deane-Stevens Museum this Summer
Children Will Experience the Busy 18th- and 19th-Century Life
During Six Hands-On Sessions
WETHERSFIELD, Conn. (June 2007) – It’s summer time and the living is easy, especially when you’re a kid! This summer, the Webb-Deane Stevens Museum in Wethersfield reveals just how easy it is to be a kid today during its Summer Sampler programs, held every Tuesday from June 26 to July 31.
During these six themed interactive sessions, children ages 6 to 10 will have the opportunity to experience the lives of children more than 200 years ago by participating in a variety of 18th- and 19th-century activities, including games, role play and trade work, that combine history with fun.
The following six sessions takes place on the museum’s grounds from 9:30 a.m. to noon:
Be a Clown – June 26
Wethersfield’s own Sparkles the Clown will share the history of clowns and demonstrate how she applies her make-up. She will also teach children how to juggle and make balloon art and will end the day with face painting.
Grand Old Flag – July 3
In honor of July 4, participants will learn about the life of a Revolutionary War soldier, including how to march. They will also make their own flag and decorate a cake with the traditional red and blue, using strawberries and blueberries.
School Days, School Days – July 10
Children will visit the Buttolph-Williams Dame School to learn about attending school in early America. They will make their own copybooks and learn to write with quill pens before heading out to “recess” to play with Colonial toys such as graces, hoops and Jacob’s Ladder. Afterward, participants will make their own toy to take home.
Picture Perfect – July 17
Children will take a tour of the 1752 Webb House and 1788 Stevens House and see how children’s portraits were created before the invention of photography. They will also learn about oil painting, the watercolor ivory miniature and the paper-cut silhouette. After the tour, children will draw and cut a life-size silhouette and decorate a portrait cookie for a snack.
Early American Apprentices – July 24
Children will experience the life of an apprentice in various trades and jobs during the 18th and 19th centuries, including that of the leather-maker, potter, weaver and dye-maker. Participants will dye their own wool yarn and weave a bookmark with pieces of hand-dyed wool yarn.
Work and Play at the Stevens House – July 31
The final session will teach children what it was like to be a Stevens child living in a grand home during the 19th century. Participants will try some of the Stevens children’s chores and play their games. The day will end with sundaes made in an old-fashioned ice cream maker.
The cost of each session is $15, or $90 for all six sessions. Please contact Lisa Sillitto at (860) 529-0613 or lsillitto@webb-deane-stevens.org for registration or more information.
About the Webb-Deane-Stevens Museum
Located in the heart of Connecticut’s largest historic district, the museum, which consists of three authentically restored 18th-century homes, brings Wethersfield’s rich history to life, from the American Revolution through the early 20th century. The museum includes the 1752 Joseph Webb House, which served as George Washington’s Revolutionary War headquarters in May 1781, when he met with French General le comte de Rochambeau; the 1766 Silas Deane House, built for America’s first diplomat to France; and the 1788 Isaac Stevens House, which includes a new toy museum and depicts life in the 18th and 19th centuries through original family objects.
The Webb-Deane-Stevens Museum is open daily – with the exception of Tuesday – from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., May through October. Three-house tours cost $8 for adults and $4 for students and children ages 5 to 18. For information about current exhibits, upcoming events or Museum School classes, call (860) 529-0612 or visit http://www.webb-deane-stevens.org.
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