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Open House, June 12 2010More than 125 people visited the Leffingwell House Museum on Saturday, June 12th, 2010. There were more but they didn't sign the register on the front desk. The open house was scheduled to be from Noon to four PM but by quarter to 10 people had begun to arrive and thank heavens so had the volunteers. Mike Przygoda, Ron Ward, Chili Bob Whatley, Denise Williams and Iva Arpin. In the midst of whirlwind tours new curtains by Iva have been hung in the tavern room to help prevent sun damage when we are closed. Each tour was different but included tiny tidbits of lesser known Norwich and Connecticut history. A visitor from Orange, CT was intrigued by the portrait of Christopher Leffingwell's third wife Ruth Leffingwell done by Bass Otis, founder of the Philadelphia Museum of Fine Art. The visitor pointed out to a small audience some of the symetry, stroke and shadow and color use Otis may have been only experimenting with when he painted the portrait and for which his later work is more re-known. Even visitors were put to work. One lady mentioned how she had always wanted to volunteer but never seemed able to find the time. No time like the present then, and she was whisked off to set cookies on platters for visitors to nibble. That was easy. Thank you. Come again we have lots of projects and need the help desperately! Tours of the gardens, games of graces and croquet were cut short by sprinkles and rain but we have a camp-out in two weeks and perhaps we'll be able to get some volunteer time in then. 
In the 16 and 1700's women were not encouraged to stay at Inn's even with their husbands. That's why the Sarah Knight diary is a scandal! But that hasn't stopped the Mannequin family from residing in the visitors room thanks to the generocity of Mrs. Thelma Hervey and the revolutionary war re-enactors uniform and ladies outfit we are able to display. Many thanks to Melodye Whatley for taking the attached photos. Our ever lasting gratitude to those who left donations. Every cent counts. Does your company have a matching donation program? Thank everyone for taking the time to visit. Thank you for becoming a member of the Society of the Founders of Norwich. Thank you for pariticipating in CT Open House Day and the 375th Anniversary of the State of CT. Beryl Fishbone |
