Hold the Date -- September 26, 2009

This year’s Fall program, on Saturday, September 26, takes us to East Granby. In the morning, we’ll gather at the East Granby Community Center for our Social Hour, Memorial Service, Business Meeting, and Luncheon. In recognition of the fact that East Granby was originally Turkey Hills Parish, our luncheon will feature a turkey dinner catered by Kane’s of Simsbury, including their famous Squash Bake.In the afternoon, join us on a tour of Old New-Gate Prison and Copper Mine at the group rate of $4.00 per person. Originally founded as a copper mine in the early 1700s, New-Gate was first used as a prison to house Tories and Loyalists during the Revolutionary War. It was the first State Prison in America. The Prison also held Confederate prisoners during the Civil War. In 1976, New-Gate Prison was declared a National Historic Landmark. Old New-Gate Prison is one of Connecticut’s leading tourist attractions. Visitors enter the prison yard through 12' tall walls. The brick guardhouse still stands and houses exhibits, but only ruins remain of the other prison buildings. A modern stairway provides access underground where air temperature is always in the 50's. The visitor center contains a gift shop.

2009 SPRING LUNCHEON IS MARCH 28

This year's DFAW Spring Luncheon will be held Saturday, March 28, 2009 at the Poquonock Community Church. Our featured speaker will be Agnes M. Pier, Windsor’s Town Clerk, who will provide an overview of the many historic records in her custody. Agnes has been Windsor’s town clerk since January 2006 and was Deputy Town Clerk from March 2002 to January 2006. Previously, she held positions with FleetBoston Financial, BankBoston Connecticut, and United/Bank/Fleet Financial Services. She holds a BS from St. Joseph College and a MSOB from the University of Hartford. She is active in Windsor’s League of Women Voters, Government Study Committee, Economic Development, Historic District Commission; the Windsor Historical Society; and the Windsor 375th Committee.

Our caterer will be Kane’s Market, and the menu includes Stuffed Chicken Breasts - breading, apples, sausage; Rice Pilaf; Green Beans; Squash Cassrole; Salad and Dressing; Rolls and Butter; and Lemon Mouse Cake.

Following a time of announcements, Richard Roberts will provide a brief introduction to the Connecticut State Library’s digital collections, including the Warwick Patent, the Matthew Grant “Diary,” the Samuel Wyllys Papers.