Waterford Historical Society plots festival on Jordan Green
Waterford — The town's historical society is hoping to replenish its membership and bring back a town tradition with a 50th anniversary event scheduled for next month.
The historical society, which owns the 18th century Jordan Schoolhouse, the historic Beebe-Phillips House and an old blacksmith’s shop on the Jordan Green at Avery Lane and Rope Ferry Road, once had hundreds of members. Its numbers have dwindled, though, and the group has spent its 50th anniversary year pondering how to rebuild its membership and get people excited about Waterford history.
Julie Wainscott moved to Waterford in 2011, and only recently became an active member of the historical society.
She said the group had discussed events related to its 50th anniversary at its board meetings — reviving the Sheep to Shawl and Waterford Week events that had been the victims of budget cuts and financial shortfalls in the past — and decided on an afternoon-long history-themed gathering on the Jordan Green.
"One thing led to another," she said. "Things just started falling into place, ideas started happening."
The Sept. 9 event, officially named "An Olde-Fashioned Gathering at the Green," will feature kids' activities, speeches by town officials and tours of the Jordan Green buildings guided by historical society docents. A local day care company volunteered to host face painting for kids, Wainscott said.
It won't replace Waterford Week, the town-sponsored parade and festival that ended several years ago after a more than 30-year run because of budget constraints, Wainscott said. But it will provide town residents a free opportunity to get outside, learn about their town and see their neighbors, she said.
"They're getting excited for just the possibility of hanging out and getting together," she said.
The committee of historical society members organizing the event was surprised at how willing businesses and town departments were to help. When they contacted the town's fire departments to ask for a firetruck to display at the event, the departments called back and offered five trucks, plus free rides.
"Our committee was just sitting back and saying 'really?'" Wainscott said.
The historical society will be selling copies of "An Illustrated History of Waterford, Connecticut" and other books.
If You Go
What: An Olde-Fashioned Gathering at the Green
Where: Jordan Green, Waterford
When: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sept. 9. Shuttle bus with stops at Town Hall, Waterford High School and the senior center starting at 9 a.m.
More information: www.waterfordcthistoricalsociety.org or (860) 389 7529.
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