Bethel Historical Society meets

BETHEL — On Thursday evening, August 2, the Bethel Historical Society hosted a full house of nearly 80 people for the Second Annual “Stanley Russell Howe Lecture.”

The evening’s presenter was Dr. Alan Taylor, a Pulitzer Prize-winning historian and professor of history at the University of California. His topic was "The Civil War of 1812: American Citizens, British Subjects, Irish Rebels, & Indian Allies.”

For those who were unable to attend, the Society has a small number of signed copies of Dr. Taylor’s book available in its Museum Shop.

The Society is pleased to announce that on Thursday, August 16, at 2 p.m. a program entitled "100 Years of American Quilts" will take place in the Mason House exhibit hall.

The presenter will be Bonnie Dwyer, a certified quilt appraiser and a fourth generation quilter. During her "100 Years of American Quilts" program, she will review quilting trends in the United States by showing examples of quilts from the mid-19th to the mid-20th centuries.

Although she will bring a minimum of 25 quilts from her own collection, those interested in attending are encouraged to bring their own quilts for discussion. Before and after the program, Dwyer will conduct 20-minute quilt appraisals by appointment (walk-ins welcome as time allows).

Whether a written appraisal ($50) or verbal consultation ($25) is chosen, the following information will be provided: pattern identification, style, age, techniques employed, evaluation of the quilt’s condition, as well as advice on care, repair, storage and display.

(For more information on appraisals by Bonnie Dwyer, visit http://www.bonniedwyer.com/Appraisals.html.) To make an appointment on August 16, please call the Bethel Historical Society at 824-2908.

The "100 Years of American Quilts" program is supported by the Society's Florence Bickford Hastings Traditional Crafts Fund and is open to the general public.

Thanks to a grant from the Davis Family Foundation grant, a new security system has been installed at the Society’s O’Neil Robinson House and long-needed structural improvements have been undertaken at the Dr. Moses Mason House.

Free guided walking tours of the Historic District will continue to take place each Saturday through August 25. Conducted by summer intern Carlee Beatson, the tours begin at 11:30 a.m. and depart from the bell tower at the north end of the Bethel Hill common.

The tours have long been popular with visitors and local residents, and take place rain or shine.

For more information, contact 824-2908, 800-824-2910 or info@bethelhistorical.org.