Barkhamsted Historical Society Newsletter - January 2000
Historical Program Series - First
Friday of the Month
We are sending you this special
Newsletter to let you know our new Historical Program Series lineup for 2000.
This is the third year we have presented a series of four history programs for
your enjoyment and education. Each program is free, and refreshments are
provided at the conclusion of each talk.
The programs are on the first Friday of the month, starting in February and
ending in May. All programs are presented at the Barkhamsted Senior Center
located on West River Road in Pleasant Valley. Each program starts at 7:00 p.m.
We understand that the new hall at the Senior Center should be ready for use, so
we will have plenty of room!
The Program Series this year will include the following:
February 4, 2000
Natural Resource Management on the MDC Watershed
Bud Sanders presents the wildlife programs and other projects on the
Metropolitan District Commission watershed land, including how forest management
programs complement the wildlife opportunity in our woodlands.
March 3, 2000
75 Years at Peoples Forest
Walt Landgraf provides a tour of Peoples Forest, covering not only the
vistas and other attractions, but also the history of the forest, how it was
established and how it evolved over the years into the priceless resource that
we now enjoy.
April 7, 2000
The Fall of Chengdu
In 1949 the communist Chinese under Mao Zedong were rolling across China
taking city after city from the Nationalist forces of Chiang Kai-shek. David
Gidman, a Fullbright scholar studying in Chengdu, was in the city when in fell
in December of 1949, and relates some of the events as the communist moved into
the city during this pivotal time in history.
May 5, 2000
The Beckley Iron Furnace
A slide show presented by industrial archeologist Fred Warner on the
Beckley Iron Furnace in East Canaan, covering the long history of the furnace
which was built in 1847 and operated up until 1918. The Beckley Furnace is an
important site in what was a thriving iron industry in northwestern Connecticut
during this time.
Historical Society on the Internet
Can You Help Us?
Each year in September the Historical Society starts its annual membership
campaign. To date, we are very fortunate to have signed up 86 members for the
current year. This isn’t TOO bad compared to recent years (these numbers may
differ from previously published totals because
we now count "family" membership as 1 instead of 2.5 or 3 members):
2000 - 86 members
1999 - 88
1998 - 100
1997 - 82
Our problem is that we may not be reaching new residents and others who are just
not aware of the opportunity to support the Historical Society. That’s where
you can help us. Attached to this newsletter is a Historical Society membership
envelope. We are asking that you think of a neighbor, friend or relative that
might possibly join our organization and give them a few words of encouragement
and hand them our convenient membership envelop. We would really like to get
total members well over the 100 mark, and with your help we can accomplish this.