South Windsor Interviews completed by John Mason and co-presented by the Friends and South Windsor Historical Society, can be found here.
The Friends and South Windsor Historical Society are again co-sponsoring a calendar of programs with connections to local history.
Programs in January, February and March are held on Sundays at 2 pm.
Programs in April through December occur on Thursdays at 7 p.m.
All programs are held at Wood Memorial Library and Museum unless otherwise noted.
Program fees: Friends and Society members pay $5; non-members pay $7 at the door. Pre-registration is not required.
April 28, 2022 at 7 pm- South Windsor writer Sharon Dukett is an award-winning author who recently wrote “No Rules: A Memoir.” Dukett quit school at 16 and drove to California. She lived in a commune and later returned to South Windsor, where she married and had children. While writing, she worked as a cocktail waitress, clothing designer and singer. She’ll speak about her book, which was a finalist in the Autobiography/Memoir category in the 2020 International Book Awards.
May 12, 2022 at 7 pm- Amanda Goodheart Parks, a historian and lecturer, specializes in women’s history. In her “Beyond the Bicep: The Real Story of Rosie the Riveter,” she’ll speak about the cultural icon of World War II. (“We Can Do It,” was an American wartime poster used as a call to inspire women workers to join the war effort.)
May 26, 2022 at 7 pm- Husband-and-wife flower growers Russell and Sue Petersen have grown flowers on their 15-acre Burgess Road property in South Windsor for more than 20 years. The couple will talk about their farming business and will offer family gardening tips on ways to avoid killing your plants.
June 9, 2022 at 7 pm- Abe Lincoln expert Paula Hopewell will present “Abraham Lincoln, Man of Compassion and Connecticut.” Hopewell, a Lincoln scholar, will examine Lincoln’s compassion and personal tragedies. She also will highlight excerpts from his speeches. Her lecture also includes information on Connecticut’s role in the Civil War and the influence of Hartford’s Harriet Beecher Stowe’s novel “Uncle Tom’s Cabin.”
Past Programs
January 23, 2022 at 2 pm- Chris Doucot, 66, a pastor and pacifist, and his wife, Jackie Allen-Doucot, are co-founders of the Hartford Catholic Worker, a North Hartford social justice organization that assists people who need food, clothing, shelter and other necessities. In addition to their local work, the couple does humanitarian work abroad. They’ve traveled oversees several times, including to Bosnia, Iraq – and twice to Afghanistan. Chris will speak about their travels and, specifically about how war affects civilians in foreign countries.
February 27, 2022 at 2 pm- Civil War reenactor Frank Niederwerfer, 68, of South Windsor, will speak about his great uncle, Oliver Dart, who fought with Company G, 14th Regiment, Connecticut Volunteer Infantry. He’ll be joined by Main Street’s Bob Starr, 80, who’ll discuss his family’s book, “For My Grandchildren,” the Civil War Journey of Pierre Starr, Surgeon, 39th Ohio Infantry. Transcribed and edited by noted Civil War author Brad Quinlin, and Jason Rusk, the book details Starr’s experience as a surgeon for the Union Army during the Civil War.
March 20, 2022 at 2pm – “Adventures in Historic Preservation” presentation and lecture by William Hosley. This program opens with an overview of the 175 year history of historic preservation in America followed by the story of Bill Hosley’s passion for preservation – a passion that began during the Bicentennial and has intensified every year since. If you wonder what historic preservation is about – there isn’t one answer. This program is Bill’s answer. Hopefully his journey inspires others to come together as place makers and stewards of a rich past made richer by our care.
April 14, 2022 at 7 pm- South Windsor attorney Kevin Rennie writes a political column for the Sunday edition of the Hartford Courant. Rennie, a former member of the Connecticut House and Senate, will speak on current events Connecticut and national politics and the influence of his favorite high school teacher. Local influences that endure in his writing and reporting for the Courant. Rennie will weave in history of South Windsor politics including the influence of Nancy Caffyn —mayor from 1977-1979, and a 1977 town council election that included a damaged voting machine. There will be a Q&A after the presentation.