Fairfield Museum's "Rising Tides" Exhibit to Wrap with Special Events

Fairfield, CT - February marks the final opportunity to view the ambitious and interactive exhibition, Rising Tides, Fairfield’s Coast: Past to Future, at the Fairfield Museum & History Center. The exhibit closes at the end of the month. Before the galleries change, however, the Museum is assembling a powerhouse panel of experts for a “Museum After Dark” event on February 16.

The event begins with a wine & cheese reception at 6pm and continues with the panel discussion at 6:45pm. The group of experts will share how different communities are preparing for changing weather patterns and hazardous storms. The featured guest and moderator will be David Kooris, Director of-RBD (Rebuild by Design) and NDR (National Disaster Resilience) Programs, State of Connecticut. Additional panelists include Rebecca French, Director of Community Engagement, Connecticut Institute for Resilience and Climate Adaptation, University of Connecticut, Dr. James Biardi, Fairfield University and Dr. Jennifer Mattei, Sacred Heart University.

“This program is the culminating event related to our Rising Tides exhibition and provides an opportunity for people and experts from across the state to share the work they are doing to increase coastal resiliency,” said Mike Jehle, executive director of the Fairfield Museum. “It is our mission to use history to strengthen communities, and we are delighted to be able to provide this forum to examine one of today’s most pressing issues and to shape a more informed future.”

Museum After Dark events are free and open to the public. They feature exciting presentations and offer opportunities for networking and socializing. The Rising Tides exhibition is sponsored by Fairfield University with additional support from Avangrid and Fairfield County Bank Insurance Services.

In addition, on Friday, February 17 the Museum will offer a special gallery tour and another showing of Ocean Fronteirs II: A New England Story for Sustaining the Sea. Beginning at 2pm, Join Laurie Lamarre Curator of Exhibitions for a gallery tour of “Rising Tides, Fairfield’s Coast: Past to Future.” Gain an inside view of the research and history behind this exhibition about living on the coast and what the future brings as we face climate change. Ocean Frontiers II is an inspiring story of citizens working together for healthier economies and healthier seas across New England. New England’s experiences serve as an important milestone for all of us who care about the ocean.

Two President’s Day weekend “Family Focus” activities will take place as well. The first is “Long Island Sound—What’s in There?” on Friday, February 17 from 11am to 12:30pm. Families can find out about the history of living on the Sound and then make creative dioramas with found objects, clay and shells. The second, is “Kids in History, Way Back When!” on Monday, February 20 at 11am. This interactive presentation will show kids what life was like back in colonial times. They’ll swaddle a baby, examine a chamber pot and learn from author, teacher and historian Velya Jancz-Urban, author of “Grounded Goodwife.” Both Family Focus events are free and sponsored by People’s United Bank.

The Fairfield Museum is located at 370 Beach Road in Fairfield. For more information visit Fairfieldhistory.org or call 203-259-1598. The Museum galleries and Museum Shop are open 10am-4pm daily. Admission is Free for Members and children ages 5 and under; $5 for adults; $3 for seniors/students. Program support comes from Fairfield County’s Community Foundation, CT Humanities and our generous community donors and corporate sponsors.