HARVESTING HISTORY
A special program at the Henry Whitfield State Museum
November 28, 29, & 30, 2008

Guilford, Conn. (Nov. 1, 2008) – Travel back to 17th century New England during the Thanksgiving holiday weekend at the Henry Whitfield State Museum in Guilford. Discover the true story of Thanksgiving in 1621 Plimoth Colony and what Puritan life was really like from costumed interpreters in Connecticut’s oldest house. Explore the special exhibit Holidaze: The Real Story of Halloween, Thanksgiving, & Christmas that reveals the myths and realities of these three, now distinctive ‘American’ holidays.

"Visitors will feel the past come alive as they interact with ‘Puritans’ dressed in authentic attire, utilizing accurate reproductions of 17th century objects," said Michael McBride, museum curator. "Visitors can also sample foods that were part of the Native American and settler’s diets such as: pemmican, pumpkin, squash, corn bread, nuts, seeds and cider."

The public is encouraged to bring donations of non-perishable food for the Guilford Food Bank; coins for UNICEF or new, unwrapped toys for Toys for Tots. These gifts will be incorporated into the Holidaze exhibit and passed on to the charities at the close of the program.

Harvesting History takes place Friday, November 28 through to Sunday, 30 between 10:00am to 4:30pm. Admission is $4 for adults, $3 for seniors and college students, $2.50 for youth ages 6 to 17 and free to children under 6. Reservations are not required. For more information, call (203) 453-2457. Free parking is available.

The Henry Whitfield House, built in 1639, is Connecticut’s oldest house, New England’s oldest stone house, and a National Historic Landmark. The museum is open April to December 14th. School and group tours are available year round by appointment.

The Henry Whitfield State Museum is administered by the Connecticut Commission on Culture & Tourism. The agency brings together tourism, film, history and the arts. Its mission is to preserve and promote Connecticut’s cultural and tourism assets in order to enhance the quality of life and economic vitality of the state. The Connecticut Commission on Culture & Tourism is located at One Constitution Plaza, 2nd Floor, Hartford, Connecticut. For more information, log on to www.cultureandtourism.org.

Contacts:
Karin Peterson
Museum Director
Connecticut Commission on Culture & Tourism
(860) 256-2760

Michael A. McBride 
Museum Curator
Henry Whitfield State Museum 
(203) 453-2457