Lecture Series Gives History A Face

What do an abolitionist surgeon and a 20th Century philanthropist have in common? A series of free lectures will investigate the lively history of famous, infamous, and little-known past residents of Northwestern Connecticut.

Ten Greater Litchfield Hills cultural organizations have joined forces to present “History Bites: Putting a Face on History.” Each week one of the participating organizations will explore a different biography. Lectures are at noon on Thursdays, and the series continues through May 22. Attendees should bring their own bite of lunch; each sponsoring institution will provide beverages and dessert.

For the third straight year, the History Bites series is operating with support from Connecticut Humanities Council.

Discover a personal side to industrial history during Raechel Guest’s presentation “Goodyear’s Legacy.” Although his name today is a household word, Charles Goodyear met with little financial success during his lifetime.

Ms Guest, the assistant curator of Mattatuck Museum, will explore Goodyear’s difficulties and successes marketing his vulcanized rubber on April 3 at the Mattatuck Museum (203-753-0381), 144 West Main Street in Waterbury.

Gail Kruppa, curator for Torrington Historical Society, will present the life of Torrington resident Erasmus D. Hudson, a prominent 19th Century anti-slavery advocate as well as an orthopedic surgeon, during the program “Abolistionist, Surgeon… and Inventor.” The talk will be held at Torrington Historical Society (860-482-8260), 192 Main Street in Torrington, on April 10.

During Litchfield Historical Society’s “Tasting the Sweets of Liberty,” historian Lynne Templeton Brickley will uncover the lives of African-Americans in 18th and 19th Century Litchfield. This lecture will be on April 17 at the Litchfield Historical Society (860-567-4501), at the corner of East and South Streets in Litchfield.