Ansonia's Revolutionary War hero to 'appear' at event in Wethersfield

David Loda and Huckleberry photographed in May 2012 at the grand opening of the Oxford Historical Society's Twitchell-Rowland Homestead. / Photo by Ralph Villers

WETHERSFIELD - Thundering across a field at a full canter toward his “adversary,” an 18^th century soldier raises his sword and slashes through… a melon? 

Mock battle scene/Contributed photo

Horseman David Loda, a Seymour native, will re-enact this and other mock battle scenes as he portrays Lt. Col. David Humphreys, aide-de-camp to Gen. George Washington, during the sixth annual Revolutionary War Encampment at the Webb-Deane-Stevens Museum. 

The event will be held from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.  May 24, 2014 at 211 Main St., Old Wethersfield, following the Wethersfield Memorial Day parade.

Admission to the encampment is free; regular admission rates will be charged for optional tours of the museum.

Loda - a retired Navy pilot from the 21^st century - will demonstrate “horsemanship with arms,” skills from the 18^thcentury, including both sword and pistol.  
He creates a dashing figure in full Continental uniform and tricorn hat and astride his gleaming Morgan horse, Huckleberry. 

When Loda portrays Humphreys—barreling across a battlefield toward a “soldier” portrayed by a melon perched atop a post— visitors easily grasp the level of discomfort their forbears felt when faced with a charging, sword-wielding horseman.

'Surprise' attack planned

The WDS Revolutionary War Encampment also includes members of the 54^th Regiment of Foot, a dashing band of British redcoats whose safety is uncertain once they commence a “surprise” attack on the Continental soldiers at 1 p.m. 
Also featured will be the wildly popular fare created by Liberty Tea, bakers who create delicious homemade treats from historic recipes, using all-natural ingredients. The baked goods sold out at the 2013 encampment.

The WDS Revolutionary War Encampment offers visitors the chance to interact closely with members of the Fifth Connecticut Regiment in full Colonial costume, with entertaining demonstrations of marching and musket firing, 18th century open-fire cookery, and enchanting harp and dulcimer music. Shortly after the regiment partakes of its midday meal, children in attendance will be invited to learn to march and perform drills with wooden “muskets.”
The British are expected to attack at 1 p.m. A fascinating display and discussion of the medical and surgical techniques used in the late 1700s, and an exhibit of period clothing and fashions, are also featured. The encampment is underwritten, in part, by a grant from the Society of the Cincinnati in the State of Connecticut.

David Humphreys served as principal of the Wethersfield public school following his graduation from Yale University in 1771. 

During the American Revolution, he served as aide-de-camp to generals Putnam, Greene, and finally from 1780 to the end of the war, George Washington.
Loda’s portrayal of Humphreys at the Webb-Deane-Stevens Museum encampment is particularly significant as the Joseph Webb House is where Gen. Washington and French Lt. General Rochambeau planned the joint military campaign that led to the victory at Yorktown, Va., and the end of the American Revolutionary War. 
Humphreys had the honor of delivering the surrendered British flags from the Battle of Yorktown to the Continental Congress.

About the Webb-Deane-Stevens Museum

Located in the heart of Connecticut’s largest historic district, the Webb-Deane-Stevens Museum consists of three authentically restored 18th-century homes and provides the quintessential New England experience - from the American Revolution to the early 20th century. 

Tours include the 1752 Joseph Webb House, where General George Washington met with French General Rochambeau, and planned the military campaign leading to the end of the Revolutionary War, the 1770 Silas Deane House, built for America’s first diplomat to France, and the 1788 Isaac Stevens House - depicting life in the 18th and 19th centuries through original family objects and a fascinating children’s exhibit. 

For rates and hours visit www.webb-deane-stevens.org or call 860-529-0612, ext. 12.


This post is taken from a press release.

War of 1812 artifacts on display at Derby library

DERBY -  Military objects and prints from the Derby Historical Society's collection from The War of 1812 (also called the English-American war of 1812 and the Second War of American Independence) are on exhibit at Derby Public Library through Oct. 31.
The library is at 313 Elizabeth St.

The War of 1812 is often called the forgotten war, perhaps because neither the United States nor Great Britain truly won or lost. 
Within Connecticut and New England in general, support for the war was very uneven, and there was even talk of seceding from the union.
New Englanders felt they were being left out of major decisions and the blockade of American shipping ports by the British and the trade embargoes of Jefferson and Madison were having a drastic effect on their economy. 

At the Hartford Convention in 1814-1815, representatives from the region met to discuss amendments to the Constitution which would grant them more rights.

One of the war’s greatest heroes, Commodore Isaac Hull, who was born in Derby, became one of the most admired Captains in the fledgling American Navy. 
Hull’s encounter with the H.M.S. Guerrière while Captain of the U.S.S. Constitution provided one of the most enduring stories of the conflict.

On Nov. 19 the Society will hold its annual Thanksgiving Reception at Grassy Hill Lodge, 77 Sodom Lane, Derby. 
Glenn Cantwell, author of the forthcoming book, America's Captain of 1812, will be guest speaker.

For information, visit www.derbyhistorical.org
 
The David Humphreys House, 37 Elm St., Ansonia, home of the historical society, will be open for tours from 1-4 p.m. Monday, Columbus Day. Admission to the museum and research library is $5 for adults; $3 for seniors and children 8 - 16; free for children under 8.


The above is taken from a release from the Derby Historical Society.

Derby Historical Society docents get training at Humphreys House

Learning to use portable loom. Photo by Markanthony Izzo

The Derby Historical Society’s “A Day in 1762” program at the David Humphreys House, 37 Elm St., Ansonia is training new docents for the program. A docent, similar to a teacher is knowledgeable about the items and information of a museum.  
This program focuses on colonial life in the area in 1762, the year David Humphreys would have been 10 years old, around the same age as most of the children who visit for the day.  
Master weaver Ginny Ellis (fourth from right) demonstrates the workings of a portable loom on which the children will make bookmarks.  

Pictured from left are Sandy Mendyk, Maria Douglas, Executive Director Julia Baldini, Maria Peavy, John Towle, Ginny Ellis, Tina Carlson, Rebecca Norton, and Paula Norton. Missing from photo is William Knapp. 
For information call the Derby Historical Society, 203-735-1908. 


The above information is taken from a press release from Markanthony Izzo.

Matthies grant to fund historic house restoration

ANSONIA - The Derby Historical Society has announced the award of a grant from the Katharine Matthies Foundation, Bank of America, Trustee for restoration work at the David Humphreys House, 37 Elm St. 

In addition to foundation and roof work, the house will also be given a new coat of paint. 
"I couldn't be more pleased," said Executive Director Julia Baldini. "The Humphreys House is such an important piece of the Valley's physical and cultural landscape. For over 30 years, generations of Valley students have participated in our Day in 1762 school program. How great would it be to have third, fourth and fifth generation family members talking about their class trip to the Humphreys House?" 

The above was taken from a release from the Ansonia-based Derby Historical Society.

Derby Historical Society ready to show off Humphreys House

On Connecticut Open House Day

ANSONIA - The Derby Historical Society is a proud participant of Connecticut Open House Day.

The event runs from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday.
Enjoy tours of the David Humphreys House, 37 Elm St., view musket demonstrations, and chat with Col. David Humphreys and Red Bear.

The Derby Historical Society Junior Docents will perform colonial tasks including butter churning and spinning. 

This is also the last weekend to view The Valley At War: Local Participation in Major Conflicts of the 18th & 19th Centuries exhibition. 
It will be open from 1 to 4 p.m. Friday and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday.

The exhibit explores participation of the Naugatuck Valley communities and Connecticut in the Revolutionary War, the War of 1812, and the Civil War. It features items from the DHS collection and the particular stories they tell. 

Items on display include weapons such as a flintlock musket found on the battlefield of the 1777 Battle of Ridgefield and a piece of the first Union flag to fly over South Carolina. 

The exhibition was made possible by a grant from United Illuminating Co. 

Check out Visit Connecticut for more information on additional participating organizations. 

This information was provided in a release from Derby Historical Society.