Welcome to your bi-weekly newsletter from Connecticut Explored with the latest stories, the newest Grating the Nutmeg podcast, programs and exhibitions from our partners to see/watch this month, and more!
Winter 2021-2022 / In Their Own Words
Voices from the past—an aspiring gold miner, a 6-year-old girl at sea, a fugitive from slavery, a Patriot at war, a Pequot son, a New Woman artist—all are featured in our new Winter 2021-2022 issue. They speak their truth and will transport you back in time!
In her story in the new Winter issue, New Haven Museum collections manager Mary Christ dives into the Revolutionary War journal of Josiah Atkins. Rarely do we get such an up-close-and-personal glimpse of life on the front lines.
“In January 1781,” Christ writes, “32-year-old Josiah Atkins of Farmingbury (now Wolcott) left his pregnant wife and young child to enlist in the Continental Army. He kept a journal that survived a long, arduous march south from the Hudson Highlands of New York to a field hospital near Yorktown, Virginia.” Seven months later, he wrote:
…we (somewhat unexpectedly) came upon a large body of ye enemy, all paraded in a line of battle ready to receive us. This was sudden business, because ye inhabitants had continually declared to us that there was no enemy within six miles of our troops. … We too, were hardly prepar’d for so severe an action, our men being very much scattered. … The attack began about 5, & lasted till dark: The rifle men, ‘tis said, some of them stay’d & scurmished with ye enemy in ye woods all night & all day, yt they have not found time, nor opportunity to pick up their dead.
… We retir’d five miles yt night to rest, & get some refreshment, of which we stood in much need, having neither victuals, rum nor water; & all we then had, was one gill of vinegar to 4 men. … Six hundred men have attack’d & stood, ye fire, sword & bayonet, of ye force of an army of 5,000, yea, of ye whole army under Lord Cornwallis!
Find out what happens to Atkins in the full story in the Winter 2021/2022 issue or with an Inbox or print subscription—now on sale!
Counterfeiter William Stuart—Hero of His Own Story
Wilton-born William Stuart recognized himself, Morgan Bengel writes in the Winter issue, “as a counterfeiter and rogue, and yet he also considered himself the hero of his own story. Captain Elam Tuller, the warden at New-Gate Prison during Stuart’s incarceration there, frequently claimed that Stuart was the devil.” Bengel is the curator and site administrator for Old New-Gate Prison & Copper Mine, one of the state’s four history museums.
Stuart was born in 1788 and took to a life of crime. He spent five years at New-Gate Prison—from 1820 to 1825—and wrote about his experiences in his autobiography published in 1854. He described how he managed to continue his trade while in prison. Tuller, the warden found out, and confronted Stuart.
Tuller said, “Oh you devil, are you making counterfeit money here?” “No,” said I. “Have you got more in your pockets?” “No sir.” “Let me feel,” and he put his hand in and took out three dollars untrimmed and just as they were molded, and then handed them back to me. “What do you make them for?” I replied, “I was sent here for counterfeiting, and I shall lose my skill unless I do a little at the business.”
A born storyteller, read more of Stuart’s tale in the Winter 2021-2022 issue, subscriptions now on sale!
HOLIDAY SALE!
6 for 4 to Your Mailbox
Through 12/31/21, get 6 print issues for the price of 4 (one year) or 10 print issues for the price of 8 (2 years). That’s 2 FREE issues (a $15 value) added to any NEW or GIFT print subscription! Use coupon code HOLIDAY21 at CTExplored.org/Shop.
15% Off to Your Inbox
OR, Subscribe for the first time to CTExplored/Inbox PREMIUM for full text of every story and SAVE! Receive 15% off a one-year Inbox PREMIUM subscription through 12/31/21.
Or try us out with our First One Free offer at CTExplored.org/Shop.
The Latest from Grating the Nutmeg
Episode 130: Whatever Happened to Nick Bellantoni?
Recently, Connecticut State Historian Walt Woodward announced he will be retiring July 1. To find out what "historical" retirement is like, Woodward sat down with Connecticut's state archaeologist emeritus Nick Bellantoni, who retired as state archaeologist in 2014. The conversation was a fascinating discussion of archaeological sites in Connecticut, Nick's successor state archaeologists, and Nick's own career of amazing discoveries.
PLUS! Episode 21: A Connecticut Christmas Story — Celebrate Christmas in Connecticut with our earlier episode with two stories: from Harriet Beecher Stowe and the Mark Twain House. Featuring music from Duke Ellington’s Suite from the Nutcracker Ballet performed by the New England Jazz Ensemble.
Programs and Exhibitions to Enjoy This Month
Trains, Trains, and More Trains!
The much-anticipated Great Trains Holiday Show at the Wilton Historical Society opens the day after Thanksgiving at noon and is on view through January 17, 2022. The society’s historic 18th- and 19th-century buildings are decorated for the holidays and transformed into a train-lover’s delight. Visit the museum’s website for hours the show is open, and more holiday programs and events! Plus, enjoy wonderful holiday shopping at the Betts Store Museum Shop, open during museum hours.
Wilton Historical Society, wiltonhistorical.org
Holiday Magic & More
Through January 24, 2022, the Florence Griswold Museum presents Revisiting America: The Prints of Currier & Ives from the Joslyn Art Museum in Omaha, Nebraska. Rediscovering the images of this powerhouse of 19th-century publishing offers a fresh opportunity to uncover the complexities and contradictions of our country’s history. In addition, from November 27 through January 3, visitors can enjoy Holiday Magic, featuring decorations, special events, and the much-loved Miss Florence’s Teas!
Florence Griswold Museum, florencegriswoldmuseum.org
Happy Golden Days
The Friends of Wood Memorial Library & Museum’s Annual Gingerbread House Festival is back for its 11th year, November 26 – December 19! Visitors will enjoy a winter wonderland of gingerbread houses. Seasonal gifts and treats will be offered for sale. The festival is free and open to the public.
Wood Memorial Library & Museum, South Windsor. Woodmemoriallibrary.org
Holiday Shopping
Support local vendors at the Noah Webster House Holiday Market, Friday, December 3, 5 - 8 p.m., and Saturday, December 4, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. With a variety of unique, handcrafted items, you’ll find gifts for everyone on your list! “Sip and shop” with adult beverages available for purchase on Friday evening.
Noah Webster House & West Hartford Historical Society, noahwebsterhouse.org
New Haven in COVID
In March 2020 New Haven resident Roderick Topping set out to casually document the community’s new reality by wandering silent streets, snapping photos, and focusing his camera on the structures, outlines, topography, and people that blended into the surreal background of daily lives at the height of the pandemic. Topping’s captured moments are at once distant and relatable and depict a paradigm shift in the history of the Elm City. The resulting collection is on view in Strange Times: Downtown New Haven in the COVID Era at the New Haven Museum through March 25, 2022.
New Haven Museum, newhavenmuseum.org
Editors’ Picks
Stories we love from back issues to read now.
“Connecticut’s First—and Most Celebrated—Counterfeiter,” Winter 2008/2009
“Nick Bellantoni: 30 Years of Great Finds,” Summer 2014
“Christmas in Connecticut,” Winter 2010/2011
“Revolutionary War: Fairfield Set Ablaze,” Spring 2009
HOLIDAY SALE!
6 for 4 to Your Mailbox
Through 12/31/21, get 6 print issues for the price of 4 (one year) or 10 print issues for the price of 8 (2 years). That’s 2 FREE issues (a $15 value) added to any NEW or GIFT print subscription! Use coupon code HOLIDAY21 at CTExplored.org/Shop.
15% off to Your Inbox
OR, Subscribe for the first time to CTExplored/Inbox PREMIUM and SAVE! Receive 15% off a one-year Inbox PREMIUM subscription through 12/31/21.
Or try us out with our First One Free offer at CTExplored.org/Shop.