Saturday, April 11 at 6 pm
Sunday, April 12 at 3 pm
Produced by Connecticut Theatre Exchange
Sponsored by the Judy Black Park
Registration for this free event is required.
The Judy Black Memorial Park and Gardens
One Green Hill Road
Washington Depot, CT 06794
https://forms.gle/HdVXq3LRymvUM69s6
The Cornwall Library is excited to present James Traub, local author, journalist, and historian in conversation about his new book, “The Cradle of Citizenship, How Schools Can Help Save Our Democracy. ”
This talk is Saturday, March 28 at 4 pm. In-person only (no Zoom). Registration required on the library website: https://cornwalllibrary.org/events/
Traub’s book is about the role that schools should play—and now largely fail to play—in preparing youth for democratic citizenship. He will be in conversation with Maud Abeel, who works with educators throughout the country and will add perspective to the talk.
America’s founders confidently believed that schools would teach young people to understand our political system and to engage in reasoned political debate as adults. Yet in 2022, national testing found that only 13 percent of students scored a “proficient” level in history. Adults do no better: only 40 percent can name the three branches of government.
In his book, which received an extraordinary review from the New York Times, James Traub chronicles a year of observing public schools across the country, talking to teachers, scholars, and curriculum designers. He finds teachers afraid of discussing topics that might be seen as “woke”; a profound disagreement over what exactly civic education means; and diminishing expectations of students with dwindling attention spans.
Yet Traub also finds hope. Virtually all social studies teachers keep their personal views to themselves and encourage students to develop views of their own. He describes the “classical school,” a traditional model based on the study of great books and the conscious molding of character, which prompts students to discuss books and ideas with depth.
James Traub has written extensively about international affairs, national politics, urban issues, and education for The New Yorker and The New York Times Magazine. He teaches classes on intellectual history at NYU Abu Dhabi, and is a fellow of the Council on Foreign Relations. Recent books by Traub include “True Believer”, a biography of Hubert Humphrey, and “What Was Liberalism?”, a history of liberal thought.
Maud Abeel works with national, state, and local educators throughout the country to improve high-school-to-post-secondary outcomes for youth in under-resourced communities. After graduating from Oberlin College, she worked as a Teach for America teacher, going on to obtain a master’s degree in education from the Harvard Graduate School of Education.
The Cornwall Library
30 Pine Street
Cornwall, CT 06753
Join us for a delightful afternoon of good food and engaging conversations about local art and history!
Order ahead from Sweet Bella @ The MATT or bring your own lunch to enjoy.
First Wednesday of Every Month | 12–1 PM
Lunch and Learn: The Connecticut Sons of Liberty
The year 1765 changed everything in American History. Hear from historian, Dayne E. Rugh, about the bands of secret organizations known collectively as “The Sons of Liberty” that gathered in the shadows to plot against England and chart a new course for the American colonies. Learn some of the hidden history behind these revolutionaries and see how they changed the course of history in Connecticut.
Bio: Dayne Rugh is a lifelong resident of Connecticut with a passion for early American History. He is the Director of Slater Memorial Museum and is also past President of the Society of the Founders of Norwich, in Norwich, CT. He has a bachelor’s degree in American Studies from the University of Connecticut and a master’s degree in Museum Studies from Johns Hopkins University. He has published content for the Connecticut History Review, Connecticut Explored, connecticuthistory.org, Norwich Magazine, The Bulletin newspaper, Mystic Seaport Museum, the Journal of the American Revolution, and authored his first book John Durkee: The Forgotten Story of Connecticut’s Bold Man From Bean Hill in 2024. He and his wife Regan Miner were recognized with a 40 under 40 award by Connecticut Magazine in 2022 and he received an award of excellence from the New England Museum Association in 2022.
COST
$10.00 per Non- Member
$5.00 per Member
Register on mattmuseum.org/calendar
Pre-registration is suggested due to limited spots.
Sponsored by Christine and Eugene Shugrue
Mattatuck Museum
144 West Main St
Waterbury, CT 06702
Free parking is available in the lots behind the museum and on Park Place, shared with YMCA
Adult Art Workshop: Beginners Block Print: Symbols & Stamp-Making
Make your mark–come create your very own block print stamp! After a brief group group discussion around identity in the Ascendency: The Self in Contemporary Art exhibition, we will head to the art workshop to design our very own block print stamp that represents an aspect of our personalities. Whether you choose to symbolize your identity as a brother/sister, writer, baker, or design an ode to your favorite sports team; your stamp will give you a way to personalize cards and clothing with a symbol. Stamps will be carved from rubber. All experience levels welcome!
Support provided by Linford and Mildred White Charitable Fund and the George and Grace Long Foundation.
Cost
$15.00 per Adult
$10.00 per Member Adult
Mattatuck Museum
144 West Main Street
Waterbury CT
Free parking in the lots behind the museum and on Park Place
https://www.mattmuseum.org/calendar/adult-art-workshop-stamp-making/
April 11 @ 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm
What makes us uniquely special? Well, let’s find out in this hands-on workshop! We’ll put our identities on display as we create expressive self-portraits. We’ll split our self-portrait and shape the two sides of our identity: who we are on the inside and who we are on the outside.
Support provided by American Savings Foundation and Post University.
Cost
$5.00 per Adult
$10.00 per Child
Waterbury Public School Students/Adventure Passholders: $0
Mattatuck Museum
144 West Main St
Waterbury CT
Free parking is available behind the museum and in lots on Park Place
https://www.mattmuseum.org/calendar/kids-art-workshop-uniquely-me/
Gathered Threads is an exhibition of work by Wassaic, NY based artist Natalie Baxter at Peggy Mercury. The show features soft sculptures and quilted wall hangings created using skills Baxter learned from a long lineage of quilting women in her home state of Kentucky. Folding chairs and empty tables depicted in domestic fabrics act as an ode to the quiet tools of gathering. An over sized basket made from jeans, appliquéd open hands, and an apron camouflaged among playful bunnies and nuclear missiles reference the weight of domestic labor and the burdens we shoulder personally and share collectively.
Peggy Mercury is located in Kent Barns, 9 Maple Street, Kent, CT
Gathered Threads will be on view from March 28 – May 3, 2026 with an opening reception on Saturday March 28 from 4-6pm
For more information, please email hithere@peggymercury.com or DM @itspeggymercury
Peggy Mercury
9 Maple Street, Unit 2
Kent, CT 06757
https://kentbarnsct.com/directory/general/peggy-mercury
On Saturday, April 11th at 1 pm at the David M. Hunt Library, author Thomas E. Johnson, Jr. will discuss “The Public Library in America: a Key Post-Independence Institution Promoting the Common Good”. Johnson is the author of “Common Place: The Public Library, Civil Society and Early American Values”. The theory of the commons is an important part of the liberal philosophy which undergirded the American Revolution 250 years ago. The role of Benjamin Franklin, the “father of the public library,” in introducing and spreading commons thinking and action, including the first public libraries, will be highlighted at the outset featuring material from Walter Isaacson’s recent book, “The Greatest Sentence Ever Written,” about the drafting of the Declaration of Independence in 1776.
The talk will then cover the contents of Common Place, beginning with the history of public libraries in New England. One of the book’s case studies will then be featured – the Scoville Memorial Library in Salisbury. For the final part of the talk the author will cover the future of the public library, beginning with their expansion during the Progressive Era including with support from Andrew Carnegie. Recent survey results on public perception of libraries and their use will then be covered. Finally, first-time research results on the link between library support and use, and public social capital, well-being and opportunity will argue for public libraries as a prominent contemporary institution in the commons particularly in the looming age of AI disruption. A Q&A period will conclude the session.
Books will be available for purchase and signing after the talk.
D.M. Hunt Library
63 Main St
Falls Village CT
Family Storytime AND Stay to Play Saturdays in April at 10:30 AM through May 23*
*No session April 18
All ages welcome!
Come to OWL for an all ages storytime in the children’s room every Saturday at 10:30 then stay to play. In addition to our puppet theater, wooden blocks, and train set, we now have sorting toys! We also have our ongoing Super Mario BINGO with a prize for winners. Our craft table is home to comic drawing supplies, as well as coloring sheets for younger children. And most importantly come in to browse our collection of print books, Nutmeg nominees, and Wonderbooks!
Oliver Wolcott Library
160 South Street
Litchfield, CT 06759
https://www.owlibrary.org/childrens-events.aspx
An evening with Elizabeth Keckly: Portrayed by Storyteller Tammy Denease
Thursday, April 23 from 6:30 – 7:30 PM
In-Person & on Zoom
Registration is required for In-Person.
We are pleased to welcome back Tammy Denease, an accomplished performing artist, storyteller, actor, and playwright whose talents bring to life the stories and contributions of important yet “hidden” women in history, such as Elizabeth Keckley.
Born into slavery in 1818, Elizabeth Keckley rose to become a successful activist, seamstress, and author in Washington, D.C. She was best known as the personal modiste and trusted confidant of First Lady Mary Todd Lincoln. Join us as Elizabeth comes to life at OWL through the exceptional storytelling of Tammy Denease.
Tammy Denease was born in Columbus, Mississippi where she spent countless hours with her great-grandmother and grandmother. Her great-grandmother was a former enslaved person and lived to be 125 and her grandmother lived to be a 107. Both were known storytellers and passed this gift along to their granddaughter.
Tammy loves history and being able to tell others about the past. In her position as Museum Educator, she instructs children through stories of Colonial History, Health, Medicine, Slavery, and Indigenous People History. In addition, she is a historical tour guide for local Colonial-American homes.
Oliver Wolcott Library
160 South Street
Litchfield, CT 06759
https://www.owlibrary.org/adult-events.aspx
America’s 250: Exploring U.S. Poets Laureate
with Poet-Teachers Margaret Hunt, Jim Kelleher & Tom Nicotera
Moderated by Pat Mattola
Saturday, April 18 from 11:00 AM – 12:30 PM
In-Person & on Zoom
Registration is required to attend In-Person.
Connecticut poets from around the state are participating in the Oliver Wolcott Library’s four-part discussion series celebrating U.S. Poets Laureate.
The exploration of important poets expands our understanding of ourselves, our community, and our country. What better way to celebrate America’s 250th anniversary than a survey of some of our most esteemed poets guided by current poets.
The lens of the April 18 discussion will be “A Spirit of Independence” and will include poetry by Maxine Kumin, William Stafford and Joy Harjo.
Oliver Wolcott Library
160 South Street
Litchfield, CT 06759
https://www.owlibrary.org/adult-events.aspx
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