Founding Fathers Lecture Series – Thomas Jefferson: Revolutionary

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April 13th is the 281st birthday of Thomas Jefferson!

To mark the occasion, The Redding Historical Society will be hosting a lecture on Jefferson by New York Times best-selling author Professor Kevin Gutzman, PhD. This talk is the inaugural event of the new Founding Fathers Lecture Series and will explore Jefferson’s philosophy and ideals for America.

Professor Gutzman has been recognized for making significant contributions to the field of American history and Constitutional studies. He has authored five books on the subject of the Founding Fathers and delivered prestigious lectures at historic venues such as the Virginia Museum of History and Culture as well as the International Center for Jefferson Studies at Monticello. Book signing and purchases will be available.

The lecture will be at the Redding Community Center, 37 Lonetown Rd, Redding CT.

Members: Free
Non-Members: $10 Suggested Donation

The Redding Historical Society would also like to invite Barlow students to attend as our guests this commemorative event free of charge.

Umpawaug School Open House Sunday, November 5th

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On Sunday, November 5th, the red brick Umpawaug Schoolhouse will be open to the public from 1-4 PM.

Sponsored by the Redding Historical Society, this annual event will please both young and old alike. Take a step back in time and see what education in a one room Redding school was like several generations ago.

Children can sit at school desks used by the Class of 1920 and pretend they are writing on a slate with chalk. Some very old books and early pictures of the school will be displayed. Enjoy some hot cider, molasses cookies, and donuts by the warmth of the old wood burning stove.

The brick schoolhouse was erected sometime before 1787 and served many Redding youth until its closure in 1939. The schoolhouse was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1965.

Restoration work at the time was lead by Redding natives William Ryder and Herb Bronson. Renowned photographer Edward Steichen also assisted in preservation efforts and viewed the school as a unique photographic subject.

The schoolhouse is located on Umpawaug Road, a quarter mile south of the West Redding Firehouse and across from New Pond Farm.

Welcome to the Redding Historical Society

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Sam Mohawk, commonly known as Chicken Warrups, was the leader of a small contingent of indigenous people who lived in what is now Redding. In 1714, John Read negotiated the transfer of about 500 acres intended to set up a homestead for his wife and children. Lonetown Manor, as this homestead was called soon burgeoned into a thriving farm settlement. In a short period of time several mills and other enterprises sprang up to support the needs of farmers who were setting down roots in Lonetown Manor.

In 1722, the elder John Read moved to Boston, but his son Colonel John Read took over the administration of Lonetown Manor. In 1767, the Connecticut General Assembly incorporated the town as Redding, which at that time had less than 1,000 residents.

The Redding Historical Society wishes to announce the formation of the 1714 Guild, a group representing owners of homes and structures built before 1900. They are historians, themselves, in that they have invested in these structures and willfully acknowledge the importance of these structures and the founding families of our community. As stewards of these historic buildings, the 1714 Guild will help to continue the tradition of the Redding Historical Society through various activities that accompany membership.

The benefits of this initiative are multifaceted. The 1714 Guild will contribute toward education and preservation through the initial subscription of the Redding Historical Society “Dateboard” program. As the 1714 Guild gains membership and momentum, lectures, workshops, and house tours will be available to its members, RHS members, and the community. Membership in the Redding Historical Society is included with this subscription program.

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RR was a raging success!!!
It didn’t rain! 🙂

 

Click here for details


RHS Application Form

Become a member, it’s a good thing to do. 🙂

Mary Anne Guitar: 1922 – 2017

Charley Couch: 1954 – 2018

The place to go to learn about Redding's interesting history