Newtown Historical Society is hoping to find some new docents, to join members when presenting programs for the public. An educational seminar has been scheduled for Saturday, April 12. 

The program is for the current crew of historical society docents, but is special in that it is also being opened to those who are interested in becoming a docent and would consider volunteering their time to the society. 

A docent is a greeter and tour guide at a museum or historic house. At The Matthew Curtiss House (headquarters of NHS), the historical society utilizes Senior and Junior Docents.

Junior Docents are students 10 years old through high school. They greet visitors, play games with them, and some of the more experienced junior docents give tours. Senior Docents give tours and supervise the junior docents.

Most of the society’s docents are not expects in history. They simply have an interest in all things Colonial, although most do have a special area of interest that they like to focus on. Whether it’s furniture, clothing, farming or gardening, colonial activities, the Curtiss family, or the social aspects of life, visitors will enjoy learning about any topic a docent wishes to discuss.

Docents continue to learn as they go, so newcomers can start with little or no knowledge of colonial history. All that is needed is the desire to learn, and share that knowledge.

The afternoon educational seminar on April 12 is being offered for those who are interested in learning more about the program, and perhaps joining. Adrienne Saint Pierre, curator of The Barnum Museum, will present the program “Costume in Context: A Close Look at 18th Century American Dress with Hints on Making Good Reproductions.”

Ms Saint Pierre has been working in historic clothing and textiles for 30 years and has made a number of exact reproductions. Among her projects are two copies of Emily Dickenson’s only extant dress, commissioned by the Emily Dickinson Homestead in Amherst, Mass.

Registration is requested for this program, and can be done by sending email to bkwilsonhistory@yahoo.com. Barbara Wilson will contact those interested in the seminar with details on the start time and location.

For more information on becoming a docent with Newtown Historical Society, visit www.newtownhistory.org or contact our Head Docent Amy Kerr at amyfallaskerr@gmail.com.

The Historical Society is a non-profit, all volunteer organization. 

During the year the society offers open houses with living history demonstrations, a lecture series, and a summer history camp for kids, among other special events.