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Wilton, CT

Spotlight on Wilton History with Bob Russell Tomorrow

"Wilton History You Didn’t Know” Talk by Bob Russell on Thursday, June 28, 12:30 pm - 1:30 pm at Wilton Historical Society

Former First Selectman of Wilton, Bob Russell, author of the definitive history of Wilton “Wilton: Three Centuries of People, Places and Progress” will be presenting one of his fascinating talks on little known -facts about the town. Titled “Wilton History You Didn’t Know,” in the Burt Barn Gallery. Russell’s talk will include topics such as Dr. J. Edward Turner and his hospital for female inebriates and opium eaters; William Stuart, Connecticut’s first counterfeiter; and the surprising story of Wilton’s “real” silver mine, dating to 1765, on property owned in the Honey Hill Road area by the D’Aulaires, (award-winning children’s book illustrators and authors). A light lunch is included.

“Sketches of the Life of William Stuart, the First and Most Celebrated Counterfeiter of Connecticut” Self-published in Bridgeport, 1854. Reprinted Times Print Shop, New Milford, 1932. Original, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA

The Society recently opened two new exhibitions, both of which explore Wilton’s history and reveal intriguing, sometimes little-known facts. One, a permanent exhibition called “Connecticut’s History, Wilton’s Story” explains what jazz great Dave Brubeck, Raggedy Ann, blues musician Lead Belly, Impressionist J. Alden Weir and soccer Olympian Kristine Lilly have in common. Through artifacts and objects, visitors learn about their Wilton roots and connections, and how the town evolved from Colonial times to the present. The other, “History is Here: Recent Acquisitions, 2012 – 2017” shows a remarkable variety of objects, each with a hidden backstory, the historical significance of which can be interpreted in a variety of ways.

Wilton Historical Society Members free, non-Members, $10 per person. Light lunch included. Please register: info@wiltonhistorical.org or call 203-762-7257.

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Submitted by Wilton, CT

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