Newtown Historical Society will host its annual Children's Day at the Little Red Schoolhouse on the grounds of Middle Gate School, 7 Cold Spring Road, on Sunday, September 24, from 2 to 4 pm.

A class will be held inside the schoolhouse along with craft activities. If weather permits outside activities will also be offered and consist of such colonial games as Graces, trundling a hoop, sack races, and a tug of war.

The class and the games are all suitable for ages 5-10. The games will be set up on the lawn outside the Little Red Schoolhouse; in case of inclement weather the class and crafts will be held, but outdoor activities may be curtailed or canceled.

The Little Red Schoolhouse was built in 1850, replacing an earlier 1753 building. It was located on the Newtown-Bridgeport Turnpike, modern Route 25, at Toll Gate Hill; the name Middle Gate arises from the fact that this location just north of the Monroe border was the middle one of the toll gates on the turnpike.

The building was moved to its present location in 1973 and is available for school tours as well as the historical society's annual "old school" open house.

Along with the class lessons, students will be able to experience the physical aspects of the school such as the wooden seating benches, and will hear about the conduct of the school from colonial days though most of the 19th Century, as well as participating in the games. The concept of a "recess" for students is a later idea, and these games would be similar to those pick-up activities that children would have created on their own.

Registration is required, and can be done at register@newtownhistory.org; a $3 materials fee will be collected at the schoolhouse.

For additional information call 203-426-5937, visit newtownhistory.org, or follow the historical society on Facebook.

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