The Minor Memorial Library is pleased to present a free six-part lecture series in Roxbury, Connecticut. Each program will be held at the Hodge Memorial Library and Museum at 7:00 PM on Thursdays in October and November. The series was inspired by the re-publication of Roxbury Historical Commission’s Historic and Architectural Resource Survey and the revitalization of the Hodge, and is partially funded by a grant from Connecticut Humanities.
The lectures will explore different aspects of Connecticut’s buildings, towns, and landscapes, and will range from an exploration of Victorian wall papers to the history and meanings of road building in Litchfield County, the history and evolution of burying grounds and cemeteries, the realities of a woman’s life in 18th century Connecticut, African American town building, and how to ‘read’ buildings.
The first program, to be held on October 8, is called “What Shall We Do with Our Walls?” and will be presented by Marianne Curling. The illustrated lecture will present examples of a number of options available for decorating and finishing walls and ceilings in Victorian homes of the late 19th century. In addition to providing an overview of the many answers to the question of “what shall we do with our walls?” Curling will also provide resources that can be used in home restoration or decoration today. Marianne Curling is a curatorial consultant specializing in collections of American material culture. Her specialty is the American home. From 1984 to 2001 she was the Curator of the Mark Twain House, where she managed all facets of collections care and presentation. She has a B.A. in Mass Communications with concentrations in Museum Studies and American History from Virginia Commonwealth University and an M.A. in History Museum Studies from the Cooperstown Graduate Program.