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 Twitchell-Rowland Homestead
60 Towner Lane, Oxford Oxford Historical Society's History Education Center & Museum
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Alfred Harger Photo Collection,
1930's and 40's now online
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Museum Hours:
First and Third Sundays of each month
2 - 4 p.m. Adeline Gray, Oxford's famous parachutist makes history. See her story here
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"Oxford History Remembered"
New Book Available
The
Society's newest book, Oxford History Remembered, is now available. The book includes tales from
Oxford's early history, the contributions of Oxford residents in times
of war, as well as more recent stories, such as the establishment of
the Oxford Land Trust. The book includes a history of the 6-year
effort of the Oxford Historical Society to preserve the Homestead.
Area History Links:
(search the 1798 Oxford CT Tax roll.)
Oxford Honored by
Connecticut Trust for Historic Preservation
The
people of Oxford and the Oxford Historical Society were honored for our work in preserving the Homestead, and designated with a
Connecticut Trust Preservation Award. The award was presented in Hartford
at the State Capitol on April 4, 2012. The following is from their Connecticut
Trust website:
"Built in 1755,
this house has a long connection with prominent local families and is
listed on the State Register of Historic Places. When development
threatened the house, the developer was convinced to donate it to the
Town. Moved to a new, town-owned site, the house received a new
foundation and chimney base, and was restored by the Oxford Historical
Society. A multitude of workers donated their labor to the
project, including members of building trades, Boy and Girl Scouts,
area foundations, and many local volunteers. The people of Oxford
succeeded where many towns and small nonprofits fail by involving a
wide range of people throughout the community. The task of managing so
many different groups and individuals alone is a remarkable
achievement. "
Source: http://www.cttrust.org/12635
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Harriet's QuiltAn Oxford signature quilt from before the Civil War.See information on the quilt and on the people who made and signed it:HERE Download a free Kindle copy of the book "Chauncey Judd,
or a Boy Stolen,"
by Israel P. Warren.
Story of burglary and kidnapping during the American Revolution, with parts of the story taking place in Oxford.
To download, RIGHT CLICK HERE and choose SAVE AS. The
exhibit can be seen during museum open hours from 2-4 p.m. on the first
and third Sundays of each month or by appointment. For further
information call 203 888-0230.
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Oxford’s
Twitchell-Rowland Homestead Museum recently opened its newest exhibit:
“Moo! The History of the Oxford Family Farm.” Here
Historical Society member Fred Rowland examines a 19th Century tabletop
wooden butter churn. The display also features an extensive
collection of butter molds, milk bottles from local dairies, cow bells,
and vintage photographs of the milk-producing industry circa 1940 –
1950. The museum is located at 60 Towner Lane and is open on the
first and third Sundays of each month from 2-4 p.m. or by
appointment. For further information, call 203 888-0230.
Emma Lobraico awarded "Best Essay" Award at Civil War Program
Read her prize-winning essay here
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 Can you identify this mystery house in Oxford? The
Historical Society is trying to identify the house depicted in this
painting by H. Reinhardt Lewis, Some of his work was
featured in an October 2013 exhibition at the Homestead. Lewis
moved to Petticoat Farm (now 55 Barry Road) in Oxford to fulfill his
lifelong dream of being an independent, self-supporting artist. While
living in the 18th Century farmhouse with his wife, Ella, and young
son, William, he drew and painted the Depression era landscape of the
dairy and chicken farms that made up this small New England town and
the surrounding area. Given the economy, there was no market for his
works, and he was forced to move on to employment as a draftsman for
Vought-Sikorsky during World War II and as a package designer.
His
daughter Peggy, Mrs. Robert Hillton, who arranged for the exhibit of
his works, recently sent a photo of another painting, labeled,
"Connecticut, 1936" on the back. Persons who have suggestions of
the location of the house are asked to contact Nancy Farnum at
203 888-0230 |
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Women's Work
in World War II
Book talk with
author John Cilio.
May 5, 2013
|  Carolyn Ivanoff
as Dolly Madison, left, chats with visitor at
March 17th program at the Homestead.
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Barnum, Tom Thumb and the Tornado Cindy Joy Photo “ Barnum, Tom Thumb and the Tornado” were the topics of
an illustrated talk by Marion O’Keefe on Sunday, February 3. Mrs. O’Keefe is Director Emeritus and former curator of the
Derby Historical Society. She is
currently a Board of Directors member and curator of the Seymour Historical
Society. A pink satin covered pillow used by Tom Thumb is on display
at the Homestead Museum.
Photos of Lake Zoar, Zoar Bridge, Zoar Village and Stevenson Station added from 2012 Peach Festival
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PHOTO COLLECTION
The Society continues to make appointments to meet with individuals at the Library to scan their photos of old time Oxford. while they
wait. If you have photos to share, please call Dottie DeBisschop
203-910-4574 to schedule an appointment.
Oxford Center School Photos
The Oxford Historical Society has received many class
photographs from Oxford Center School. The photographs are being
scanned and filed for preservation in our archives. Residents
are asked to help identify the students and teachers in the
photographs. You may see our growing collection here:
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