Newtown Historical Society Presents The Great Ocean Liners

On Monday, September 13, beginning at 7:30 pm, Newtown Historical Society will present a nostalgic journey into the past aboard the great ocean liners of the North Atlantic, at the community room of Booth Library, 25 Main Street.

The society has invited Michael Jedd of Watertown to discuss the history of these great ships as they transported passengers and soldiers across that great ocean for almost a century.

Mr Jedd’s interest in transatlantic ocean liners has become a lifelong passion. It started at the age of 5 when his parents took him to New York for the first time to see the Statue of Liberty. While traveling down the West Side Highway in an open convertible, he saw these ships for the first time.

Since then he has acquired more than 150 volumes on the subject, many of them personally autographed by such well-known historians as Walter Lord and John Maxtone-Graham.

He also has an extensive collection of liner memorabilia that includes china, silver, glassware, deck chairs, telephones, and paper items too numerous to mention. Most of these items will be on display during the presentation.

Mr Jedd has been able to incorporate his ocean liner passion with another unique talent: woodworking. He has constructed many models on commission and has large scale models of the Queen Elizabeth, France, Normandie and United States in his private collection. Many of his works have been on display in New York City and at The Maritime Center in Norwalk.

Most recently Mr Jedd embarked on his first transatlantic journey, courtesy of Carnival Cruise Lines. He was requested by the company to refurbish several models onboard the QE2. In the future, Mr Jedd plans to write a book on the history of the SS United States, his favorite liner.

All Newtown Historical Society programs are free and open to the public. Refreshments will be served following the program. For further information, call the society at 426-5937.