A Weeklong Step Back Into History

By Shannon Hicks

On July 21, regardless of the rain that was pouring yet again this summer, the 11 children who were participating in History Camp took a short field trip from The Matthew Curtiss House to Newtown Meeting House. Dressed in their bonnets and aprons or period vests and hats, the girls and boys walked with lead teacher Maureen LaPak and her fellow assistants from 45 Main Street to 31 Main Street to continue the second day of lessons intermingled with fun.

Newtown Historical Society sponsored its 4th Annual History Camp last week, with children spending three hours each day at The Matthew Curtiss House. Tuesday’s outing allowed the children to learn more about some of their town’s history through hands-on experiences, an practice that was used all week.

“Within this setting, we had a talk about the history of the meetinghouse, and also of the Puritan church evolving into the Congregational Church,” said Gordon Williams, who was Tuesday’s special guest. Like the children, Mr Williams was also dressed in Colonial-era clothing.

The retired history teacher had obviously enjoyed his presentation, and was relishing being able to once again share history with a young audience. As the children were allowed to wander the seating area of the town’s current meetinghouse and played a scavenger hunt-type game, Mr Williams continued to recap the morning’s lesson.

“We talked about two-hour sermons, tithing rods, the fact that men sat on one side and the women were on the other, and even who stood in the back during the sermons,” he said, as one little voice piped up, calling out, “The slaves!”

Mr Williams nodded proudly.

During the course of History Camp, the children were exposed to many of the life events and tasks of their 18th Century counterparts. In addition to the field trip, Tuesday’s lessons also included making butter and making bricks.

“We’re going to get our feet wet… and dirty,” said camper Kira Kelly.

On Monday the children spent some of their time making marbles, rolling them into shape before allowing them to dry overnight. Part of the first day of camp was also spent with the boys making the vests and the girls decorating the mop caps and aprons they wore during their sessions for the rest of the week.

Patty Graves was the guest teacher on Wednesday, leading an open hearth cooking session before the children painted their marbles. There was also time for tinsmithing that morning.

Thursday focused on basket weaving and string games, and on Friday camp concluded with marble games, hoop games, making lemonade, and theorem painting with guest Lorraine VanderWende.

Brooks Frey, a junior teacher volunteering his time for the third year, also led the children on a tour of the historical society’s barn Thursday morning. The society has exhibits of tools for ice harvesting, shoe making materials, farming and grain harvesting tools, and cheese and dairy implements in the small barn behind the Curtiss house.

Gordon Williams, who organized History Camp, credited Maureen LaPak for remembering what had been successful and popular in years past and adding new offerings for 2009.

“She made the lesson plan, and brought in some new ideas,” he said.

Ms LaPak was equally pleased with the opportunity offered by Newtown Historical Society’s headquarters. 

“We’re really lucky to have this house to use,” she said of The Matthew Curtiss House, “not only as a town, but these kids get to touch and live hands-on in perfect surroundings for this camp.”

This year’s class included eight Newtown residents along with one child each from Brookfield, New Milford, and Woodbury.

“We’re having a lot of fun,” said Kira Kelly.

History Camp is for children ages 8–10, and one of this year’s campers was disappointed as her week came to a close.

“I’m kind of sad,” said Juliana Patelli. “I can’t come again next year because I’ll be too old.”

Sad to miss out on History Camp? Gordon Williams should be proud.