2024 Winter E-Newsletter

Changes in 2024
Best Wishes!

At the end of 2023, retirement, new jobs and professional advancement claimed three Friends' staff members. As we reluctantly say goodbye to three amazing co-workers, Leith Johnson, Liz Glaviano and Martin Kaehrle, we want to wish them the best in their future endeavors and hold them to their promises to keep in touch and continue to collaborate with us. Liz specifically will be consulting with us on various projects and will continue to teach educational programming as her schedule allows.

Remembering Mickey Perkins

We would like to send our condolences to the family of long time Friends of Wood Memorial Library and Museum supporter and volunteer, Lorraine Inez "Mickey" Perkins who passed away December 27, 2023. Mickey helped to guide the organization as a member of the Friends' Board of Directors for 26 years. A longtime member of the library committee, Mickey helped choose the books that would be added to the library's collection before moving on to serve on the programming committee.

While serving on the programming committee, Mickey came up with the idea of the Wednesday Afternoon Program, which over the years was an extremely popular offering.  Many patrons may remember her welcoming smile as she checked them in to enjoy one of our many programs over the years.

If you or someone you know is interested in applying for the new Director of Collections and Interpretation position, there is more information available on our website. We are also hiring Museum Educators. Details for this position are also on our website.

We are a Hartford Foundation Access Grant Recipient

In 2023 Friends' staff participated in the learning cohort “Uncovering the Hidden History in Your Town" offered by the Noah Webster House & West Hartford Historical Society, which was funded by the Hartford Foundation for Public Giving. The workshop addressed researching slavery in order to “make slavery and freedom an integral part of the local colonial story.”

As a result of our limited research associated with this workshop, we have been able to identify a potential list of captive black people and enslavers in the South Windsor area.  The initial research needs to be cross-referenced and thoroughly cited. This access grant will allow us to continue this important research and provide support for us to present our findings to the public through exhibits and presentations.

Recent Donations!
One of the latest additions to our research library is the 1933 State of Connecticut Historical Publication "The Indians of Connecticut". Thank you to Sally Edlund for her recent donation! Visit our research library from 9am to 4pm on Mondays and Thursdays to see this booklet in person.

We also want to thank the family of Doris Burgdorf for donating these vintage posters promoting a Friends of Wood Memorial Library Holiday House Tour.

Visit www.woodmemoriallibrary.org. and www.Nowashe.org to learn more about upcoming events and programs.