BEGIN:VCALENDAR VERSION:2.0 PRODID:-//Middlesex County Historical Society - ECPv6.15.18//NONSGML v1.0//EN CALSCALE:GREGORIAN METHOD:PUBLISH X-WR-CALNAME:Middlesex County Historical Society X-ORIGINAL-URL:https://mchsct.org X-WR-CALDESC:Events for Middlesex County Historical Society REFRESH-INTERVAL;VALUE=DURATION:PT1H X-Robots-Tag:noindex X-PUBLISHED-TTL:PT1H BEGIN:VTIMEZONE TZID:UTC BEGIN:STANDARD TZOFFSETFROM:+0000 TZOFFSETTO:+0000 TZNAME:UTC DTSTART:20230101T000000 END:STANDARD END:VTIMEZONE BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=UTC:20251005T093000 DTEND;TZID=UTC:20251005T133000 DTSTAMP:20260405T193126 CREATED:20250829T143224Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250829T143421Z UID:5696-1759656600-1759671000@mchsct.org SUMMARY:39th Annual Antique Car Show & Flea Market DESCRIPTION:MCHS’ 39th Annual Antique Car Show & Flea Market: Sunday\, October 5\, 2025 (rain date: Sunday\, October 12\, 2025) \nAll eyes at the Middlesex County Historical Society’s 39th Annual Antique Car Show and Flea Market will gravitate to this year’s featured car\, a 1963 Ford Falcon Sprint. It will motor to the show located at Palmer Field adjacent to Washington Street\, Route 66\, in Middletown on Sunday\, October 5. \nCar registration begins at 9:30 am and judging starts at 11:30 am\, with trophies awarded to the top vehicles at 1:30 pm. \nGeneral admission is $3.00 and children 12 and under are free. \n  \nCar registration is $10.00. \n  \nAlthough cars registered for judging must be dated 2000 or older\, there is no cut-off date for cars being placed in the car corral. In case of rain\, the show will be held Sunday\, October 12. \nThe Falcon Sprint convertible was ordered new in 1963 and has been lovingly cared for by its owner\, Gary Nenninger\, for 62 years and in his words “is part of my family and my life. It is nice to know that my youth is just outside the family room door in my ‘Ford Country Garage.’ ” Gary would not settle for anything less than a triple black convertible with the following options: a 4-speed manual transmission\, AM radio\, heater\, tinted glass all around\, 2 speed electric wipers\, windshield washer\, backup lights\, white wall tires\, and front seat belts. Today the Falcon has a little more than 30\,000 original miles\, with the majority of them\, about 24\,000\, being put on in the first two years. The Raven Black Paint\, black pleated vinyl interior\, vinyl 3-ply top and plastic rear window are factory original. Mechanically the engine\, transmission\, clutch and pressure plate are still the originals. \nIn the early 60s\, Gary raced the Falcon at the Connecticut Dragway (top speed\, 93.1 MPH)\, and in 1965\, it was his wedding limo and honeymoon ride. He has shown it at various auto shows as far west as Kansas City\, winning many First Place and Best of Show awards\, including the Middlesex County Historical Society William E. Sheedy Sr. Award in 1997. Since his wife\, Kathy\, passed away in 2017\, he has not shown the Falcon as often\, but he is very gratified to have it featured in this year’s show. \nThe car show was founded 40 years ago (it was not held in 2020 due to the Covid-19 pandemic) by longtime Society supporter and past president\, Bernie Prue\, and kept humming by an intrepid group of volunteers. This year’s committee consists of Rich Bergan\, Chairman; Jerry Augustine; Pete Bozzo; Mark Olerud; Jack Pieper; Larry Riley; and Debby Shapiro. URL:https://mchsct.org/event/39th-annual-antique-car-show-flea-market/ LOCATION:Palmer Field\, 28 Bernie O'Rourke Drive\, Middletown\, CT\, 06457\, United States ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://mchsct.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/Ford-Falcon.png ORGANIZER;CN="Middlesex County Historical Society":MAILTO:mchs@wesleyan.edu END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=UTC:20250920T083000 DTEND;TZID=UTC:20250920T143000 DTSTAMP:20260405T193126 CREATED:20250829T141741Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250829T142017Z UID:5684-1758357000-1758378600@mchsct.org SUMMARY:Town-wide Tag Sale: Items\, Shoppers\, and Volunteers Wanted! DESCRIPTION:On Saturday\, Sept. 20\, 8:30–2:30\, the Historical Society will again host a Tag Sale on the sidewalk in front of the Mansfield House\, 151 Main St\, Middletown. Please stop by to treasure hunt! \nThis year we aim to offer quality rather than quantity\, and we hope you have some objects to donate—objects to which the labels vintage\, antique\, period\, classic\, interesting\, beautiful\, fascinating\, unique\, or\, in the words of the Cartalk Brothers\, historic or folkloric could be attached. We encourage you to undertake a fearless appraisal of your possessions and zero in on those you have to admit are not really your taste but are bound to be treasured by someone else. \nPerhaps someone gave you an art-nouveau pitcher\, but your décor is mid-century modern. Or you inherited a print by an Expressionist artist that you’ve never hung on the wall because you find it too upsetting\, even though you’re aware the artist counts as one of the greats. Or a third edition of The Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire\, because\, well\, you know…High-quality hand tools you no longer use\, excellent new or hardly worn attractive articles of clothing\, out-of-the ordinary cooking vessels —the possibilities are many. If you have something you’d like to donate and want to be sure it will be suitable\, please email Krishna Winston: kwinston@wesleyan.edu\, or text her at 860-918-8713. Photos always help. \nDonations can be dropped off at the Mansfield House (151 Main Street\, Middletown) between 10 AM and 3 PM from Monday\, September 8 through Thursday\, September 11. Enter through the front gate and ring the bell by the porch door. \nIf you’d enjoy volunteering at the sale\, extra hands are always welcome and it’s a chance to make new friends! URL:https://mchsct.org/event/town-wide-tag-sale/ LOCATION:Middlesex County Historical Society\, 151 Main Street\, Middletown\, CT\, 06457\, United States ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://mchsct.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/unnamed.png ORGANIZER;CN="Middlesex County Historical Society":MAILTO:mchs@wesleyan.edu END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=UTC:20250822T170000 DTEND;TZID=UTC:20250822T193000 DTSTAMP:20260405T193126 CREATED:20250729T175800Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250729T180059Z UID:5585-1755882000-1755891000@mchsct.org SUMMARY:Lafayette Marker Dedication & Summer Party\, Friday\, August 22\, 5:00 PM to 7:30 PM DESCRIPTION:LAFAYETTE MARKER DEDICATION \nAND SUMMER PARTY \nAT THE MIDDLESEX COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY! \nFRIDAY\, AUGUST 22\, 2025\, 5:00 – 7:30 PM \n \n  \nPlease join us for an end-of-week party and official unveiling of the Historical Society’s splendid Lafayette Marker on Friday\, August 22\, 2025 from 5:00 pm to 7:30 pm (house opens at 5 PM\, dedication ceremony at 5:30 PM). This program is part of our commemoration activities celebrating the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence and all that bold proclamation set into motion. \n  \nPLEASE RSVP HERE\n \n  \n \nThe event will begin with the unveiling and an address by Julien Icher\, founder and president of  The Lafayette Trail\, Inc. A cocktail party with Franco-American theme will follow. \n  \n  \nA little history…On September 4\, 1824\, the Marquis de Lafayette made a brief stopover in Middletown\, Connecticut as he paid a farewell visit to all twenty-four states to see how the new country was faring almost fifty years after his participation in the Revolutionary War. To read more about Lafayette’s stay in Middletown\, click HERE to see the Middlesex County Historical Society’s contribution to the Connecticut Lafayette Trail’s website. \nIn 1776 the wealthy young French nobleman had been so captivated by what he had heard about the colonists’ pioneering spirit and resistance to tyranny that he had set sail for America\, defying the orders of Louis XVI\, at whose court he served. Arriving in July 1777\, the twenty-year-old\, who came from a long line of military officers but had no prior experience in combat\, plunged into the War. The close relationship he formed with George Washington\, his strategic acumen\, and his success in persuading the French government to send troops and naval vessels under Count Rochambeau made him a hero to the Americans. \n  \nThe House will be open beginning at 5:00 pm; the dedication ceremony starts at 5:30 on the sidewalk\, and the party follows immediately in the backyard of the General Mansfield House. \nEveryone is welcome; bring a friend. Light hors d’oeuvres and libations will be served. \nTickets for the party are only $20 for Members and $25 for Friends\, and there is no charge for children under 12. We very much appreciate you registering and paying in advance with a credit card- at the link below- but you will not be turned away if you show up and pay cash at the door. \n  \nPLEASE RSVP HERE \nThis is a rain or shine event; in case of bad weather\, we will host the party inside. \n  \nDuring the party you are welcome to take a self-guided tour of our Outdoor Museum\, inaugurated last summer. Informative brochures and signage will show you the way. \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n \n \n  \n  \n  URL:https://mchsct.org/event/lafayette-marker-dedication-summer-party-friday-august-22-500-pm-to-730-pm/ LOCATION:CT ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://mchsct.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/Lafayette.jpeg ORGANIZER;CN="Middlesex County Historical Society":MAILTO:mchs@wesleyan.edu END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=UTC:20250508T190000 DTEND;TZID=UTC:20250508T200000 DTSTAMP:20260405T193126 CREATED:20250504T184137Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250504T184137Z UID:5224-1746730800-1746734400@mchsct.org SUMMARY:Online Book Talk: Adjacent to History: The Nearly Forgotten Stories of Immigrant Families and Their Struggles in America DESCRIPTION:Join the Middlesex County Historical Society & the Godfrey Memorial Library for a free\, online talk by author John Rilli. He will be speaking about his new book\, Adjacent to History: The Nearly Forgotten Stories of Immigrant Families and Their Struggles in America\, featuring the author’s ancestors who immigrated to Middletown\, CT\, from Melilli\, Sicily in the early 1900s. This talk will be of great interest to anyone with Italian immigrant ancestors and/or an interest in Middletown history\, including an excellent case study of how to research your own family history. \n  \nVisit bit.ly/JohnRilli to register and receive the Zoom link. URL:https://mchsct.org/event/online-book-talk-adjacent-to-history-the-nearly-forgotten-stories-of-immigrant-families-and-their-struggles-in-america/ LOCATION:CT ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://mchsct.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/RILLI-BOOK.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=UTC:20250424T183000 DTEND;TZID=UTC:20250424T200000 DTSTAMP:20260405T193126 CREATED:20250328T104820Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250328T111809Z UID:4928-1745519400-1745524800@mchsct.org SUMMARY:Annual Meeting & Lecture\, April 24\, 2025 DESCRIPTION:  \nDr. Jeffers Lennox\, 2025 annual meeting speaker \n  \n  \n  \nThe MCHS will hold its annual meeting on Thursday\, April 24\, 2025\, in the first-floor meeting room of the deKoven House\, 27 Washington Street\, Middletown. \n  \nThe brief business meeting begins at 6:30 PM\, including annual reports by Executive Director Jesse Nasta and Board President Alain Munkittrick. \n  \nThe 2025 Arthur R. Schultz Memorial Lecture will begin immediately after\, at 7:00 PM. Dr. Jeffers Lennox\, Wesleyan University Professor of History\, will give a lecture entitled\, “More than Thirteen Colonies: The American Revolution and Indigenous Homelands.” This annual meeting lecture will kick off the Historical Society’s commemoration of the 250th anniversary of the American Revolution. \n  \nAll are cordially invited to attend\, Historical Society members and non-members alike URL:https://mchsct.org/event/annual-meeting-april-24-2025/ LOCATION:deKoven House\, 27 Washington Street\, Middletown\, CT\, 06457\, United States ORGANIZER;CN="Middlesex County Historical Society":MAILTO:mchs@wesleyan.edu END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=UTC:20241207T130000 DTEND;TZID=UTC:20241207T153000 DTSTAMP:20260405T193126 CREATED:20241014T014850Z LAST-MODIFIED:20241202T143656Z UID:3981-1733576400-1733585400@mchsct.org SUMMARY:Holiday Open House DESCRIPTION:Join us at the General Mansfield House\, 151 Main Street\, Middletown\, for our annual Holiday Open House. \nMagic Lantern Show starts at 1pm\, featuring Charles Dickens’ Winter Stories. \nWe hope to see you for refreshments and holiday cheer. Please consider contributing to the party with a holiday donation. Please click here to donate\, \nRegistration is requested. \n\n← Back Thank you for your response. ✨\n\n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n\n\n\nName(required)\n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n\n\nEmail(required)\n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n\n\nTotal # of Attendees in Your Party?\n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n\n \n \n \n Submit \n \n \n \nΔ URL:https://mchsct.org/event/holiday-open-house/ LOCATION:CT CATEGORIES:Open House ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://mchsct.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/Holiday-Photo-Filler-e1732469640501.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=UTC:20241103T140000 DTEND;TZID=UTC:20241103T160000 DTSTAMP:20260405T193126 CREATED:20241014T005127Z LAST-MODIFIED:20241014T005853Z UID:3965-1730642400-1730649600@mchsct.org SUMMARY:Jewish Life in Middletown DESCRIPTION:In honor of Congregation Adath Israel’s 120th anniversary\, learn about the legacy of the Jewish community in Middletown\, Connecticut from the nineteenth century to the present. \nExplore Middletown’s early Jewish history\, the evolution of the Adath Israel synagogue and recollections of growing up in Middletown and of Jewish-owned businesses on Main Street. You’ll also have the chance to learn about and visit the synagogue’s Judaica Museum\, the largest and most diverse collection in Connecticut. \nThe program is free\, but advance registration is required and your optional donation appreciated. \nRegister here: https://jhsgh.org/events/jewish-life-in-middletown/ URL:https://mchsct.org/event/jewish-life-in-middletown/ LOCATION:Congregation Adath Israel\, 8 Broad Street\, Middletown\, CT\, 06457\, United States CATEGORIES:Religious ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://mchsct.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/Jewish-Life-in-Middletown.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=UTC:20241016T100000 DTEND;TZID=UTC:20241016T113000 DTSTAMP:20260405T193126 CREATED:20241013T193409Z LAST-MODIFIED:20241013T193409Z UID:3935-1729072800-1729078200@mchsct.org SUMMARY:Walking Tour of Historic High Street DESCRIPTION:JOIN US FOR A WALKING TOUR OF MIDDLETOWN’S HISTORIC HIGH STREET\, LED BY DEBORAH SHAPIRO AND ALAIN MUNKITTRICK\, CO-AUTHORS OF HIGH STREET AND WESLEYAN UNIVERSITY\, WITH MCHS EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR JESSE NASTA\n\n\n\nDATE: SATURDAY\, OCTOBER 19\, 2024\n10:00 AM TO 11:30 AM\n\n\n\nWE WILL MEET AT 10:00 AM SHARP AT THE WASHINGTON TERRACE PARK (NEAR THE WAR MONUMENTS)\, CORNER OF WASHINGTON TERRACE AND HIGH STREET. PARKING IS AVAILABLE ON WASHINGTON TERRACE (PARALLEL TO WASHINGTON STREET) AND IN ANY WESLEYAN UNIVERSITY PARKING LOT.\n\n\n\nThis is a “light rain or shine” event; if it is lightly raining\, bring an umbrella and good walking shoes. If it is pouring we will reschedule.\n\n\n\n$10 for historical society members\, $12 for non-members. Reserve your spot by paying online with a credit or debit card; please visit https://www.paypal.com/ncp/payment/777ZTNH6UUJE6\n\n\n\nBeginning in the 1820s\, some of Middletown’s most prominent residents built their mansions on High Street\, most of which still stand and are now part of Wesleyan University’s campus. These include the homes of Samuel Russell\, who made his fortune in the China trade\, and Nathan Starr and Simeon North\, some of the nation’s earliest arms manufacturers. A number of the street’s 19th-century architectural treasures are on the National Register of Historic Places\, and Charles Dickens even reputedly called it “the most beautiful street in America.” OK\, that last part has been difficult to prove\, but it really was the most beautiful street in America\, in our opinion!\n\n\n\nJoin us to learn about the fascinating history packed into High Street’s few short blocks. Signed copies of the book High Street and Wesleyan University will be available for sale. URL:https://mchsct.org/event/walking-tour-of-historic-high-street/ LOCATION:CT CATEGORIES:Walking Tours ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://mchsct.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/Historic-High-Street-Event.jpg END:VEVENT END:VCALENDAR