• Annual Meeting of the Friends of Valley Falls

When: Sunday, September 29, 1:00PM - 3:00PM
Where: Basement of the Red Barn, 345 Valley Falls Road, Vernon, CT
What: Join the Friends of Valley Falls for their Annual Meeting and a presentation by State Historian WALTER WOODWARD and The Band of Steady Habits, a group of six local musicians who combine their musical talent with their interest in the past to teach history through music and song.
• The acoustic Band of Steady Habits came together in 2014 to share their love of music, and to use their talents to help create a new kind of public history presentation. The band uses banjo, guitars, violin, recorders, bass, percussion, and beautiful harmonies to perform songs - some old, some original, and some contemporary - to accompany the visually rich and evocative stories of State Historian Walt Woodward. The stories provide new insights and perspectives into Connecticut history.
• A short business meeting will precede the talk. Learn about the Heritage Center planned for the Stable which will include displays on the many colorful owners of the farm including rifle designer Christian Sharps, a phony Hungarian Count, and the Beach Family, who ran the farm and park as a gentleman's farm in the early 20th Century.
Everyone is welcome, refreshments following the program.
For additional information: please click www.friendsofvalleyfalls.org/news/ or call Ruthie Brown at 860-643-5652.

• Historical Society of Glastonbury Memorial Exhibit on Brian Jones

When: October thru December, 2019.
Where: The Museum on the Green, 1944 Main St. (on the corner of Hubbard Street), Glastonbury, CT and Main.
What: The society recently put in a new display at the Museum on the Green honoring the late Dr. Brian Jones' efforts over the years in Glastonbury. Please click here for an article in the Hartford Courant about the Display.

• FOSA Outreach Display: Hammonassett Festival

When: Saturday-Sunday, October 5-6, 10:00AM to 6:00PM (Sat.) and 10:00AM to 5:00PM (Sun.)   half-days: 9:30-1:30 or 1:00-5:00
Where: Guilford Fair Grounds, 111 Lovers Lane, Guilford, CT
> You can email Outreach Chair Kathy Walburn at: fosaoutreach@gmail.com.
> You can visit the Hammonassett Festival web site by clicking hammonasset.org/hammonassett-festival/.

• The 44th annual walking tour of the Cheney Historic District

When: Saturday, October 5, 1:00PM - 3:00PM
Where: Starts at Fuss & O'Neill, 146 Hartford Road, Manchester. (Plenty of parking in the lots west and south of the building).
What: Find out about those huge brick buildings that remain from the days of the world-famous silk mills. Who worked there? Who owned the mills? Where did workers and owners live? We'll see Cheney Hall, the former silk mills, the location of the defunct South Manchester Railroad, the Loom exhibit at the former Cheney machine shop, neighborhoods of worker housing, and Washington School. The walk takes about two hours with a distance of a mile or so.
Other info:• Running commentary by Dr. Christopher Paulin of Manchester Community College.
• This event is co-sponsored by Manchester Community College, the Cheney District commission, and the Manchester Historical Society.
• No rain date, so bring umbrellas if weather is iffy. Extreme weather cancels.
• The walk is free, but donations to the Manchester Historical Society are welcome.
• Photo above is of the 2009 walking tour.
• To view a map of the District on the Manchester Historical Society's website, please click District Map.

• Museum After Dark: New Archaeological Findings of the Battle of Pequot Swamp

When: Thursday, October 10, 6:00PM - 8:00PM
Where: 370 Beach Road, Fairfield
What: In partnership with the National Park Service, the Fairfield Museum has lead an exciting research project to discover details of the Battle of Pequot Swamp (also known as Munnacommock Swamp) which occurred in 1637 in present day Southport, Connecticut. The battle was the last engagement of the Pequot War and was an important catalyst for English settlement of Fairfield and Southport.
For additional info: please click Pequot War Battlefield Project.
AdmissionFree for Museum members; for non-members a $5.00 donation ($3.00 for seniors) is recommended.

• Cosimo Sgarlata Speaking Engagement: "Historical Archaeology of Revolutionary War Encampments of Washington's Army"

When: Thursday, October 10, 8:00PM
Where: West Campus Culinary Arts Dining Room, Norwalk Community College,188 Richards Avenue, Norwalk, CT
What: NCC are pleased to announce that Dr. Cosimo Sgarlata, an NCC archaeology program graduate, will discuss topics covered in the recent book of which he was both an editor and contributor. These will include how the archaeological examination of a series of Revolutionary War encampments sheds light on the daily lives of the soldiers, their training and how the winter camps were structured and organized. The particular ways that General George Washington engaged with his support staff and officers and the difficulties of planning Rochambeau's march from overseas will be discussed, as well as the use of experimental archaeology in the analysis and interpretation of the sites.
Note: The meeting will take place at in the West Campus Culinary Arts Dining Room. Refreshments will precede the meeting at 7:30 PM, with the program beginning at 8:00 PM. Dr. Sgarlata will bring copies of his book for purchase and signing.

• Open House at the Cheney Homestead

When: Sunday, October 13, 1:00PM - 4:00PM
Where: 106 Hartford Road, Manchester
What: Visit this early American home, including the recently opened Homestead Art Gallery and be inspired by Manchester's rich history in art. Tour the 1785 Homestead which was donated to the Manchester Historical Society by the Cheney family in 1968 for use as a house museum. Guided tours include the 1751 Keeney Schoolhouse, history of the Homestead and its contents, and of the family who lived there. As with many New England homesteads, the house is built into a hill, with doors opening out to the yard on both the upper and lower levels.
Other info:• For old photos and history of the Homestead on this website, visit Cheney Homestead history on the Manchester Historical Society's website.
• The Historical Society plans Open Houses generally on the second Sunday of the month.
• Donations are welcomed for the upkeep of the Homestead.

• Open House at the Woodbridge Barn and Grounds,

When: Sunday, October 13, 12:00 noon - 2:00PM
Where: 495 East Middle Turnpike, Manchester
What: Visit the restored eighteenth-century barn and the grounds of the Manchester Historical Society's Woodbridge property. The Farmstead is located at Manchester Green, near the intersection of East Middle Turnpike with Woodbridge Street. The barn is located behind (north of) the house. Visitors can park on the grounds by using the vehicle gate on Woodbridge Street near Lawton Road, or at the municipal lot behind the Senior Center, or along the street between the Senior Center and the farmstead itself. From the street, walk to the backyard using the grass driveway between the house and Woodbridge Pizza. There are tour guides to describe the barn, and displays of farm tools and equipment.
Other info:
• Additional open houses on the second and fourth Sundays of the months July through October.
• The tour is free.

• 2019 CONNECTICUT ARCHAEOLOGY FAIR

When: Saturday, October 19, 10:00AM - 4:00PM
Where: University of Connecticut, Oak Hall, Storrs, CT (click here for map.)
Indoor activities will be in Oak Hall, Room 101, and outdoor activities will be on the Main Quad between Beach Hall and the Austin Building.
What: Join us for a celebration of the career and contributions of State Archaeologist Brian Jones. Participate in hands-on activities for children and adults.
Cost: Free and open to the public.
To see the list of speakers please click here.

• FOSA Outreach Display: 2019 CT Archaeology Fair

When: Saturday, October 19, 10:00AM - 4:00PM
Where: University of Connecticut, Oak Hall, Storrs, CT (click here for map.)
> You can email Outreach Chair Kathy Walburn at: fosaoutreach@gmail.com.
> You can visit the Hammonassett Festival web site by clicking hammonasset.org/hammonassett-festival/.

• ASC FALL 2019 MEETING

When: Saturday, October 19, 10:00AM - 4:00PM
Where: University of Connecticut, Oak Hall, Storrs, CT (click here for map.)
What: Once again, the ASC Fall Meeting will be held in conjunction with the Connecticut Archaeology Fair. The Fair will be held at the University of Connecticut in Storrs, on October 19th (International Archaeology Day) from 10-4, in conjunction with the UCONN Anthropology Department and UCONN Geosciences Department.

• The Archaeology Fair, which will honor the career of the late State Archaeologist Dr. Brian Jones, will include archaeology lectures, exhibits, laboratory tours, indoor and outdoor (weather-permitting) hands-on activities, and archaeology- and history-themed activities and games for children.

• The lecture series has not been finalized, but it will include talks about CT archaeology and by archaeologists from CT who work in other areas. Talks and exhibit space will be in Oak Hall and outdoor activities/exhibits will be held on the quad between Beach Hall and the CLAS building, across from the Wilbur Cross Library.

• CT Gravestone Network Presentation: "In the Shadow of the Great Hartford Witch Hunt Presentation "

When: Saturday October 26, 2019; starts at 10:30 AM
Where: Center Church and the Ancient Burying Ground, Main Street, Hartford
What: Connectucut author Dick Ross (author of "Before Salem") will give a talk and slide show presentation beginning at 10:30; there will be a memorial service at Noon in the Burying Grounds to all those who were wronged by an earlier belief system; and a walk through the Burying ground conducted by Mr. Ross who will point out relevant grave markers and disuss who they memorialize.
> For additional information, please click here; or email Ruth Brown at: shapbrown@cox.net.

• Nick Bellantoni Speaking Engagement: "New England Vampire Folk Belief: The Archaeological Evidence"

When: Saturday October 26, 2019; 2:00 PM
Where: Meigs Point Nature Center, 1288 Boston Post Rd, Madison, CT 06443
What: Connecticut's State Archaeologist Emeritus, Dr. Nicholas Bellantoni will shed light on one of the Nutmeg State's most intriguing historical mysteries, the Jewett City Vampires. Dr. Bellantoni will describe the history of the Jewett City vampires, including origins of the beliefs in the undead seeking nourishment from family members and how the living were protected. He will reflect not only on vampires but also on other unexplained mysteries.
> NOTE: Registration is required. Please click Meigs Point October Calendar to access the email address to be used; click October 25 for email info.
> For problems, questions, or additional information, call Laurie Shaw at 203-245-8743.

• Nick Bellantoni Speaking Engagement: "New England Vampire Folk Belief: The Archaeological Evidence"

When: Sunday October 27, 2019; 3:00 PM
Where: Darien Historical Society, 45 Old Kings Highway North, Darien, CT 06820
What: Connecticut's State Archaeologist Emeritus, Dr. Nicholas Bellantoni will shed light on one of the Nutmeg State's most intriguing historical mysteries, the Jewett City Vampires. Dr. Bellantoni will describe the history of the Jewett City vampires, including origins of the beliefs in the undead seeking nourishment from family members and how the living were protected. He will reflect not only on vampires but also on other unexplained mysteries.
> Registration is required.

> Cost: $20 for Society members, $40 for non-members.
> For additional information, see the event flyer or call 203-655-9233.

• Eastern States Archaeological Federation Annual Meeting

When: Thursday October 31 - Sunday November 3, 2019
Where: The annual meeting will take place at the Sheraton Bucks County Hotel, 400 Oxford Valley Rd., Langhorne, PA.
For details on registrations, room rates, speakers and subjects, please click ESAF Meeting Info.