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Share Nestled in the heart of Connecticut's largest historic district, the Webb Deane Stevens Museum's three historic houses tell important stories of national and statewide significance.
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Description
Celebrate the release of Preservation in Action, the first publication to tell the compelling, illustrated story of preservation in Old Wethersfield—Connecticut's largest and oldest historic district in its oldest town. Based on original research, with stunning photography and handsome design, the book demonstrates the community’s long effort to preserve the architectural legacy of its historic village, through individual and institutional commitments, civic planning decisions, historic preservation, and design review.
Spanning more than a century, the book highlights ten stories of restoration, rehabilitation, renovation, adaptation, and reuse. The examples include the oldest house in town, with a 17th century addition added thirty years ago; a 19th century commercial building whose greenhouse was repurposed as a cafe in 2022; and the town's old high school, which was redeveloped in a bold partnership between the Town and the Historical Society, together with the Society's redevelopment of the Henry Deming House—an undertaking that has spurred the economic revival of the old village.
Join us Sunday, September 22, for a champagne reception with light hors d'oeuvres and a special exhibition of Peter Brown's published and unpublished photography from the project, shown throughout the museum galleries and the 1752 Joseph Webb House and available for custom order.
About the creators:
ANNE CROFOOT KUCKRO (1945–2010) was a historian and preservationist whose books include Hartford Architecture, Volume One: Downtown (1978); Captain James Francis, Master Builder: Brick Architecture in Wethersfield before 1840 (1974); and Wethersfield: A Tour of Houses and History (1984).
PETER R. BROWN is an award-winning architectural and fine art photographer.
LEE KUCKRO served on the Wethersfield Historic District Commission for 20 years, 14 as Chair. He is a past president of the Wethersfield Historical Society, of Preservation Connecticut, and of Connecticut Landmarks. He is a founder and past president of The Hartford Preservation Alliance.
About the lead funders:
Publication of this book is funded by the Beatrice Fox Auerbach Fund at the Hartford Foundation for Public Giving.
Created with generous support from the CT State Historic Preservation Office, the National Park Service, the Wethersfield Beautification Trust, and the Town of Wethersfield.
Date & Time
Sun, Sep 22, 2024 3:30 PM - 5:30 PM
Venue Details
Webb Deane Stevens Museum
211 Main StreetWethersfield, Connecticut 06109
