Events

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Shipwrecks Along the Shore

Sunday, January 29, 2012, 2:00 pm

"Wrecks Along the Shore" a presentation by Dwight Brown of shipwrecks off the shore of Southern Rhode Island.  Sponsored by the Westerly Historical Society.  At the Carriage House.

Ledyard Up and Down Sawmill

Sunday, February 26, 2012, 2:00 pm

Come learn about the only 19th century up and down, or sash-type, sawmill that still operates with its original equipment on its original site.

Sponsored by the Westerly Historical Society
At the Carriage House. Free

Rhode Island, Abraham Lincoln and The Civil War at 150

Sunday, March 4, 2012, 2:00 pm

Noted Lincoln scholar Frank Williams will share a bit of his knowledge on the above-mentinoed topics as we mark the sesquicentennial of the Civil War.

At the Carriage House.  Non-members $2.00; members free.

Governor Samuel Ward, 1725-1778; Westerly's Unsung Hero

Sunday, March 18, 2012, 2:00 pm

Presented by Helen Farrell Allen, Principal of Tempus Fugit and sponsored by the Washington Trust Company.
   
 "Mrs. Allen has studied Governor Ward (1725-1776) at the National Archives in Philadelphia.  A crucial delegate to both Continental Congresses, Ward died of smallpox on March 26, 1776. The Archives welcomed the RIHS letter (April 27, 1776) from Mary House, Governor Ward's "intended,, hostess to Madison and Jefferson.  Her "genteel" boarding house bordered the Morris mansion where the Washingtons stayed,  "within a donkey's bray" of the Pennsylvania Colony House, that we know as Independence Hall."

At the Carriage House.  Free

Frozen Glory: The Secret Life of War Memorials

Sunday, April 15, 2012, 2:00 pm

"War memorials have a story to tell," says Patti Cassidy, writer and filmmaker with a passion for public sculptures. "When battles end and the din of guns and drums subsides, grieving survivors raise stone and bronze monuments to remember their dead; they are Frozen Glory".  This talk explores these monuments.  Through stories of the generations and the survivors who raised them, their secret lives come to light.

 At the Carriage House.  Non-members $2.00; members free.

Beginners Geneology

Beginners Genealogy Workshop

Thursday, April 19, 2012, 6:30 pm

This workshop, presented by the Phebe Greene Ward Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution, will provide instruction on how to set up your family tree with the aid of a free program available on the internet, as well as forms that will be provided. Participants are encouraged to bring that shoe box full of papers and documents that’s been sitting in the closet, as well as your laptop, if you have one. The shoebox might contain birth and death certificates, photographs, family bibles, obituaries, etc.

At the Carriage House. Pre-register at 401-539-2485. Maximum enrollment of 20.

Westerly Historical Society Annual Meeting

Wednesday, May 23, 2012, 5:30 pm
Westerly Historical Society Annual Meeting                                                   
Form will come with newsletter.  Masonic Lodge, 20 Elm Street

Alan Peck, manager of Wilcox Park, will present a program on the three landscape architects who had an important influence on the design of Wilcox Park.

Open House: The Battle of Stonington in the War of 1812

Saturday, May 26, 2012, 2:00-5:00 pm at The Carriage House

James Tertius DeKay, noted author of historic books, will present a program on Stonington's role in the War of 1812 as we mark its 200th anniversary.  A related exhibit, featuring items owned by the Museum and others lent by Trustee Ed Fazio, will be  on display in the Isaac G. Smith room.

Free tours of the Museum and a ten percent discount at Joshua's Store for members.

American Girl Tea

© dan and reason
Favorite Doll Tea

Wednesday, July 18, 2012, 2:00-4:00 pm

The Museum's docents have scheduled two of their very popular summer Doll Teas on July 18 and August 15 (both Wednesdays) this year. Guests bring their favorite dolls for a lovely afternoon tea in the Carriage House and a bit of history. Apart from providing the delicious desserts, docents take our guests on a short tour of the house including highlights such as the antique doll house. Docent seamstresses also make sure Joshua's store is well stocked with clothes sized for American Girl dolls.

$10.00 per person. Seating is limited. Please purchase tickets in advance by calling 401-348-8178.

Crafts with a Past

Monday, July 23, 2012, 9:00-11:00 am

Come take a break from modern life and experience the crafts of years past! Learn what life
was like for people of different eras with hands on projects that were common years ago.
Participants will get the chance to create a traditional craft to take home.

July 23rd - Tin Punching
Using this traditional technique create your very own candle holder
July 30th – Rope Basket
Making this common craft is easier and more fun than you think
August 20th – Victorian Salt Clay
Make beads, a bowl, or anything else you can imagine with this classic clay
August 27th – Make your own Quill, Ink, and Paper
Make your own classic quill pen, ink, and paper from scratch

Classes will be held from 9-11 am at the Carriage House and are recommended for
children ages 8 – 12 years. The cost of the class is $10 per person per class, or $35 for all
four. Classes are limited to 16 people per class. Pre-registration required; download form to register.

Rope Baskets

Crafts with a Past

Monday, July 30, 2012, 9:00-11:00 am

Come take a break from modern life and experience the crafts of years past! Learn what life
was like for people of different eras with hands on projects that were common years ago.
Participants will get the chance to create a traditional craft to take home.

July 23rd - Tin Punching
Using this traditional technique create your very own candle holder
July 30th – Rope Basket
Making this common craft is easier and more fun than you think
August 20th – Victorian Salt Clay
Make beads, a bowl, or anything else you can imagine with this classic clay
August 27th – Make your own Quill, Ink, and Paper
Make your own classic quill pen, ink, and paper from scratch

Classes will be held from 9-11 am at the Carriage House and are recommended for
children ages 8 – 12 years. The cost of the class is $10 per person per class, or $35 for all
four. Classes are limited to 16 people per class. Pre-registration required; download form to register.

Old Money

Wednesday, August 1, 2012, 7:00 pm

You might have wished you had married "old money," but George Champlin IV will talk about the real thng, including some old Westerly money.

At the Carriage House.  Non-members $2.00; members free

American Girl Tea

© dan and reason
Favorite Doll Tea

Wednesday, August 15, 2012, 2:00-4:00 pm

The Museum's docents have scheduled two of their very popular summer Doll Teas on July 18 and August 15 (both Wednesdays) this year. Guests bring their favorite dolls for a lovely afternoon tea in the Carriage House and a bit of history. Apart from providing the delicious desserts, docents take our guests on a short tour of the house including highlights such as the antique doll house. Docent seamstresses also make sure Joshua's store is well stocked with clothes sized for American Girl dolls.

$10.00 per person. Seating is limited. Please purchase tickets in advance by calling 401-348-8178.

Victorian Salt Clay

Crafts with a Past

Monday, August 20, 2012, 9:00-11:00 am

Come take a break from modern life and experience the crafts of years past! Learn what life
was like for people of different eras with hands on projects that were common years ago.
Participants will get the chance to create a traditional craft to take home.

July 23rd - Tin Punching
Using this traditional technique create your very own candle holder
July 30th – Rope Basket
Making this common craft is easier and more fun than you think
August 20th – Victorian Salt Clay
Make beads, a bowl, or anything else you can imagine with this classic clay
August 27th – Make your own Quill, Ink, and Paper
Make your own classic quill pen, ink, and paper from scratch

Classes will be held from 9-11 am at the Carriage House and are recommended for
children ages 8 – 12 years. The cost of the class is $10 per person per class, or $35 for all
four. Classes are limited to 16 people per class. Pre-registration required; download form to register.

Quill, Ink, and Paper

Crafts with a Past

Monday, August 27, 2012, 9:00-11:00 am

Come take a break from modern life and experience the crafts of years past! Learn what life
was like for people of different eras with hands on projects that were common years ago.
Participants will get the chance to create a traditional craft to take home.

July 23rd - Tin Punching
Using this traditional technique create your very own candle holder
July 30th – Rope Basket
Making this common craft is easier and more fun than you think
August 20th – Victorian Salt Clay
Make beads, a bowl, or anything else you can imagine with this classic clay
August 27th – Make your own Quill, Ink, and Paper
Make your own classic quill pen, ink, and paper from scratch

Classes will be held from 9-11 am at the Carriage House and are recommended for
children ages 8 – 12 years. The cost of the class is $10 per person per class, or $35 for all
four. Classes are limited to 16 people per class. Pre-registration required; download form to register.

Battle of Antietam
An Old Soldier Recalls Antietam

Sunday, September 9, 2012, 2:00 pm

An old soldier recalls an historic and personal perspective of the Battle of Antietam in this one-man show. Presented by Cpl. V. E. Johnson, Battery C, First Rhode Island Light Artillery.

At the Carriage House. Non-members $2.00; members free

Battle of Antietam
Battle of Antietam and Westerly Granite

Sunday, September 16, 2012, 2:00 pm

The Battle of Antietam took place on September 16-18, 1862. Westerly granite has a major presence on the battlefield today. Granite Historian Linda Smith Chaffee will show examples of Westerly granite monuments at Antietam. Learn about the design of Civil War Monuments and the role of Westerly in commemorating the battle.

At the Carriage House. Non-members $2.00; members free

Beekeeping

Bees with a Babcock Connection

Sunday, September 23, 2012, 2:00 pm

Eric Fiske of Watch Hill Farms will present a program on beekeeping with a connection to John Babcock and his wife Mary Lawton, the first white settlers in Westerly and believed to be the first beekeepers in Rhode Island. Watch Hill Farms is on the site of the Babcock Homestead which remained in the Babcock family for three hundred years. Anyone interested in learning to keep bees is invited to attend this program which will involve history, live bees, and practical information.

At the Carriage House. Non-members $2.00; members free

Smithsonian Museum Day

Smithsonian Magazine National Museum Day

Saturday, September 29, 2012

Once again the Babcock-Smith House Museum will participate in Museum Day. In the spirit of Smithsonian Museums, who offer free admission everyday, Museum Day is an annual event hosted by Smithsonian magazine in which participating museums across the country open their doors to anyone presenting a Museum Day Ticket…for free.

Official tickets can be found on the Museum Day website at http://www.smithsonianmag.com/museumday/. The Museum Day ticket is available on the Ticket Information page. Fill out the form and you will be emailed instructions to download and print your ticket.

Charles Perry (1809-1890): A Nineteenth-Century Westerly Notable

Monday, October 1, 2012,  7:00 pm

"Banker, farmer, Quaker, abolitionist, pacifist, family folklore, tangential topics and documented details of private converstions with President Lincoln during the Civil War" is how Harvey Perry II describes his talk about his ancestor, Charles Perry.

At the Carriage House.  Non-members $2.00; members free.

Beginners Geneology

Geneology Workshop: How to Utilize the Internet in Doing Geneology Research

Thursday, October 4, 2012, 7:00-9:00 pm

This workshop, sponsored by the RI Daughters of the American Revolution, will concentrate on the features of numerous websites that are aids in doing genealogical research. Most often used Ancestry.com has many components that are under-utilized, as well as attributes that provide the ability to communicate with yet unknown family members who may also be working on your family tree. We will explore both paid sites and free sites, and sites that are devoted to specific locales such as Ireland research, or Canadian research. There are sites that contain military records, naturalization records, state censuses, and sites that may have images of original documents. Every day, there are more and more records being placed on the internet. Let's find them.

Participants may bring a laptop, although it is not a pre-requisite to participating in the class.

In order to foster personalized attention, this class will be limited to 20 individuals. There is a $20 fee to participate. To reserve space, please call Susan Cline at (401) 539-2485.

Vegetable Platter

Veggie Venture Luncheon

Friday, October 12, 2012, 11:30-2:00 pm

A bountiful buffet luncheon of scrumptious vegetarian dishes is served at this popular annual event. Come and enjoy a delicious meal that you'll never feel guilty about. Remember when Mom and Grandma reminded us to eat our vegetables? They knew what they were talking about. Guided tours of the historic Museum House are included in the price of lunch. Joshua's Store will be open. 

Tickets available at door for $10.00.  Cookbook for $5.00.

Frank Grzyb book
Frank Grzyb

Sunday, November 4, 2012, 2:00 pm

Frank Grzyb, author of Rhode Island's Civil War Hospital: Life and Death at Portsmouth Grove 1862-1865, will speak.

Sponsored by the Westerly Historical Society.

Christmas Swag Christmas Bazaar

Saturday, December 1, 2012, 9:00 am-2:00 pm

Local residents tell us that the Babcock-Smith House Christmas Bazaar is one of their annual favorites! Holiday decorative greens, collectibles, Grandma's Attic, and our homemade cookies and baked items are especially popular. Coffee and muffins will be served in the dining room of the Museum House. Joshua's Store is especially well-stocked with handmade gifts at this time. This is one bazaar not to be missed!

Tree logo

Celebration of Trees

Saturday, December 8, 2012, 1:00-5:00 pm

Opening day of the Babcock-Smith House Celebration of Trees. Every room in the museum will sport trees thematically decorated by individuals, businesses, or non-profits in the area.  This will surely be a highlight of your holiday season.

Today docents will greet you in Victorian costume!

Non-members $10.00; ages 5-12 $3.00, under 5 years and members free.

Tree logo

Celebration of Trees

Sunday, December 9, 2012, 1:00-5:00 pm

Every room in the museum will sport trees thematically decorated by individuals, businesses, or non-profits in the area.   This will surely be a highlight of your holiday season.

Today our special guest is Santa! Parents and grandparents are welcome to photograph children with their own cameras.

Click here for a PDF of our Celebration of Trees poster.

Non-members $10.00; ages 5-12 $3.00, under 5 years and members free.

Christmas Tree

Celebration of Trees

Monday, December 10, 2012, 5:00-8:00pm

Every room in the museum will sport trees thematically decorated by individuals, businesses, or non-profits in the area.   This will surely be a highlight of your holiday season.

Click here for a PDF of our Celebration of Trees poster.

Non-members $10.00; ages 5-12 $3.00, under 5 years and members free.

Christmas Tree

Celebration of Trees

Tuesday, December 11, 2012, 5:00-8:00pm

Every room in the museum will sport trees thematically decorated by individuals, businesses, or non-profits in the area.  This will surely be a highlight of your holiday season.

Today our special guest is Deborah O'Connor, Westerly artist and owner of Silhouettes by Deborah O'Connor. She will be at the Museum between 5:00-8:00pm to cut heirloom-quality silhouettes of children and adults while you wait. Click here for more information about the silhouettes, and here to download an order form.

Click here for a PDF of our Celebration of Trees poster.

Non-members $10.00; ages 5-12 $3.00, under 5 years and members free.

Christmas Tree

Celebration of Trees

Wednesday, December 12, 2102 at 5:00-8:00pm

Every room in the museum will sport trees thematically decorated by individuals, businesses, or non-profits in the area.  This will surely be a highlight of your holiday season.

Click here for a PDF of our Celebration of Trees poster.

Non-members $10.00; ages 5-12 $3.00, under 5 years and members free.

Christmas Tree

Celebration of Trees

Thursday, December 13, 2012, 5:00-8:00pm

Every room in the museum will sport trees thematically decorated by individuals, businesses, or non-profits in the area.  This will surely be a highlight of your holiday season.

Today our special guest is Deborah O'Connor, Westerly artist and owner of Silhouettes by Deborah O'Connor. She will be at the Museum between 5:00-8:00pm to cut heirloom-quality silhouettes of children and adults while you wait. Click here for more information about the silhouettes, and here to download an order form.

Click here for a PDF of our Celebration of Trees poster.

Non-members $10.00; ages 5-12 $3.00, under 5 years and members free.

Christmas Tree

Celebration of Trees

Friday, December 14, 2012 at 5:00-8:00pm

Every room in the museum will sport trees thematically decorated by individuals, businesses, or non-profits in the area.  This will surely be a highlight of your holiday season.

Today docents will greet you in Victorian costume!

Click here for a PDF of our Celebration of Trees poster.

Non-members $10.00; ages 5-12 $3.00, under 5 years and members free.

Christmas Tree

Celebration of Trees

Saturday, December 15, 2012, 1:00-5:00 pm

Don't miss out on our last day of the event! Every room in the museum will sport trees thematically decorated by individuals, businesses, or non-profits in the area.  This will surely be a highlight of your holiday season.

Today a museum docent will be on hand to read holiday stories to children between 2:00-4:00 pm.

Click here for a PDF of our Celebration of Trees poster.

Non-members $10.00; ages 5-12 $3.00, under 5 years and members free.

 


 


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