Activities
Suffield on the Green
Stop by our booth! Meet us and see the line-up of programs for the upcoming year.
Date: Saturday, September 8, 2018 10:00 - 5:00 p.m.
Date: Sunday, September 9, 2018 11:00 - 4:00 p.m.
Car Show
Free Admission. King House grounds. Vintage and sports cars welcome, no fee to exhibit a car. Rain cancels event. Organized by Norm Noble.
Date: Sunday September 9, 2018 11:00 - 3:00 p.m.
An Evening with Edgar Allen Poe as a Portal to the Past
Campbell Harmon
Suffield Senior Center
Prepare yourself for a dramatic delight as Mr. Harmon speaks in character as he performs "The Tell-Tale Heart" and "The Raven." He will stay in character as he discusses Poe's life, his death, and the profound influences his work made on American literature. Harmon will answer your questions, dispel the myths of this 19th-century poet, and show how his work affects us today. Be enthralled!
Date: Wednesday, September 19, 2018 7:00 p.m.
Refreshments: Terry Mandirola & Jan Peake
Suffield's Polish History
Sara Zak
Suffield Senior Center
In the late 1800s, steamships brought hundreds of courageous Polish immigrants to the United States. Sara's grandfather left his family and homeland, traveled for 10 days in deplorable conditions in steerage, and - like all the others - came with hope of economic prosperity. Using Suffield census records, her own family genealogical research and stories told to her by Polish Heritage Society members, Sara will describe how the ethnic landscape shaped the area.
Date: Wednesday, October 17, 2018 7:00 p.m.
Refreshments: Laurie Tavino & volunteer
Halloween Candy Distribution
King House
Come in costume and join the fun on the King House porch!
Date: Wednesday, October 31, 2018 Dusk - 7:30 p.m.
A Substitute in the Civil War Suffield's Civil War Militia
Pam Baldini
Suffield Senior Center
Seventy-three Suffield men marched off to war in May 1861 wearing red flannel shirts made by the women of the Second Baptist Church. Today in the center of Suffield on the Town Green there stands a Soldiers Monument dedicated in honor and respect to Suffield sons who died in the Civil War. From the diaries of William Loomis and other local sources from the National Archives, Pam Baldini brings faces, personal stories and tales of sacrifice from the lives of these men in the intervening years. Explore the details of the Suffield militia, the conscription laws and the substitute soldiers with us. Understand why this rebellion became known as "the rich man's war, but the poor man's fight" because of the purchase of substitute soldiers by many wealthier men.
Date: Wednesday, November 14, 2018 7:00 p.m.
Refreshments: Volunteers needed. Call Jan Peake at 860-668-2553
Holidayfest
King House
Our annual public event anticipating the holiday season will include the traditional fire in the great kitchen fireplace, goodies and punch, Christmas decorations and tree, plus this year's exhibit: "Snowmen" - long an integral part of Christmas decor in our yards, on our trees and mantles, and in the shape of our cookies. Come see the myriad of depictions for this Christmas icon.
We trust generous lenders will help make this an enjoyable and happily memorable show.
Date: Saturday, December 1, 2018 11:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Date: Sunday, December 2, 2018 11:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Annual Ice Harvest
Dennis Picard & Crew
Noble & Cooley Mill Pond, Granville, Mass.
Co-sponsored with the Suffield Land Conservancy and the Noble & Cooley Museum. Learn how to handle the antique tools to cut ice. Don't let the draft horses do all the work, wear grips on your boots to help cut. The Noble & Cooley Museum will be open. Dependent on weather conditions.
Storm date for the harvest is February 3.
Date: Saturday, February 2, 2019 12:00 - 3:00 p.m.
Workshop: Researching Old Suffield Homes
Suffield Senior Center
Curious about an old Suffield home? Join us. We will explain the resources available, review work that has been done dating old homes, and look into the methodology for finding additional information about homes and the people who lived in them.
Date: Wednesday, February 20, 2019 7:00 p.m.
Show & Tell Night
Suffield Senior Center
Anyone can sign up for a five-to-ten minute presentation on any aspect of local history. Contact Ed Chase by March 17th to sign up. You're welcome to bring an artifact or photograph to augment your presentation. Please advise Ed of any needs for your display.
Date: Wednesday, March 20, 2019 7:00 p.m.
Refreshments: Nancy Smith & Kerry White
Women's History in Suffield
Suffield Senior Center
The Connecticut Women's Hall of Fame organization teaches us that "women's lives have been filled with rich experiences, and their daily contributions are an invaluable part of our history that has too often been overlooked." Bill Sullivan's American Studies class will investigate the history of Suffield with a focus on women's history and social movements. Exploring their impact on our community and region by examining letters, photographs, and other primary sources, the students will share what they learned as well as the historical methods they utilized. Please join us for this multimedia presentation and learn more about women's history in Suffield. If the students make any original discoveries, they will be encouraged to make a case to induct a candidate into the Connecticut Women's Hall of Fame and will explain their case for induction.
Date: Tuesday, April 23, 2019 7:00 p.m.
Refreshments: Jacquie Wadsworth & volunteer
Connecticut's Evolving Transportation System
Richard DeLuca
Suffield Senior Center
Author and historian Richard DeLuca will use slides to punctuate his fascinating program on transportation of centuries past. From Indian trails to dirt roads to canals and railroads, these links fostered the development of our young nation. This author of Post Roads and Iron Horses will focus special emphasis on the Farmington Canal and the New Haven Railroad.
Date: Wednesday, May 22, 2019 7:00 p.m.
Refreshments: Anne Borg & Judy Quinn
Suffield's Past in Photographs
Anne Borg & Lester Smith
Suffield Senior Center
Each year Anne Borg and Lester Smith team up to delve into the extensive Hawley Rising slide collection and other sources to surprise us with a new perspective on Suffield's history for our annual meeting. This year is no exception as they work to show us images that tell the story of our town’s history, its families and its industries.
Date: Wednesday, June 19, 2019 7:00 p.m.
Refreshments: Florence, Nancy & Cathy Noble
Field Trip
Watch for additional information in the SHS Newsletter. Details TBA.
Date: TBA
Ice Cream Social
King House Lawn
Bring friends and family to an old-fashioned Ice Cream Social. Pack a picnic, bring lawn chairs and enjoy an evening of neighborly visiting. Ice cream and entertainment provided by SHS.
Rain date: Thursday, July 11
Date: Tuesday, July 9, 2019 5:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.