Spinning Wheel Demonstration

      The Newtown Historical Society will host an open house at its headquarters, The Matthew Curtiss House, on Sunday March 20, 2011.  The house/museum, a fine example of Connecticut saltbox architecture, was constructed Circa 1750 and purchased by Matthew Curtiss Jr. in 1781.  In 1970 the Newtown Historical Society purchased and restored the house to its original condition.

       The public is invited to visit and tour the building at 44 Main Street any time between noon and 4pm.  Admission is free, however, donations are welcomed and appreciated.  Our junior and senior docents will be available to answer questions about the house and its history and will provide guided tours by request.

       During the open house, Fiona Fine will be conducting a spinning wheel demonstration.  Ms. Fine will be setting up her portable spinning wheel in the North Chamber, which contains the society’s spinning wheel collection.  The process from start to finish will be discussed and the differences between the various wheels will be explored.

       The Historical Society is a non-profit, all volunteer organization.  During the year we offer open houses with living history demonstrations, a lecture series, a summer history camp for kids and many special events.  All funding comes from private donations, membership dues, bequests and fund raisers such as the antique show, house and garden tour and publication sales.  New members are always welcome and volunteers are needed to help organize and run our many events!  To join or for more information, please visit our website: www.newtownhistory.org or call the society at 203-426-5937.