WHS and Play with Your Food presents PLAY IT COOL!

Play With Your Food

 A theatre lunch program using Westport   Modern: When Cool Was Hot! exhibit as its  background and setting.

Excerpts include: 1930’s: Waiting for Lefty – Clifford Odets; social/political drama
1940’s:  The Voice of the Turtle – John Van Druten’s wartime hit
1960’s: Come Blow Your Horn-Neil Simon’s Swinging 60’s

   Reservations Required, Call 203-222-1424

The additional weekend hours will give the community an opportunity to visit our two exhibits Westport Modern: When Cool was Hot! and Victor Civkin: Modern Genius, Rediscovered which will be on view till May 1st. The Wheeler House has four beautifully decorated period rooms from the mid 19th century and  a gift shop with Westport-themed items and books. 

January 24 – May 1

The Unitarian Church,a Victor Lundy Design Photo by Michael Glynn

Ever since the 2007 destruction of Paul Rudolph’s Micheels house in Westport, the question in the local preservation community has been “what else is out there?”

We now have the answer. And it may amaze you.

In an effort to locate and document important modern buildings in our area, we dug through newspaper archives, rifled old Architectural Record magazines and, at times, drove randomly down local streets. It may not have been scientific but the results are hard to argue with; our main gallery space is now filled to capacity with fresh, beautiful images of over two dozen buildings by such well known names as: Gregory Ain, Roy Binkley, John Fowler, Allan Gelbin, John Johansen, Kahn and Jacobs, Keck and Keck, Carl Koch, Victor Lundy, Charles Moore, Richard Neutra, Ann Binkley Rand, Antonin and Noemi Raymond, and Mies van der Rohe.

Our “modern safari” also turned up the names of architects we’d never heard of but whose work is remarkable and, in some cases, regionally significant. Over two dozen buildings are on display and each is accompanied by its own brief narrative.

Don’t miss these other Westport Modern features:

• a 3-d virtual tour of Paul Rudolph’s Micheels House – by Stephen Lasar Architects for the Connecticut Trust. This brand new film recreates one of Rudolph’s most important residential commissions and is interspersed with actual photos taken moments before the building was demolished.

• a display of modern furniture with examples by Eames, Miller and others – as well as beautiful archival images of works by design great and  former local resident, Edward Wormley.

• an exclusive film short: 1939: I Have Seen the Future. Local film maker Lisa Seidenberg takes a look back at the iconic 1939 World’s Fair – an event that, for many Americans, was their first glimpse of modernism’s aspirational vision.

• in our Little Gallery: a close up look at the fascinating life and work of local modernist architect Victor Civkin through historic documents, artwork, bluprints, photos and …a miniature kitchen!

If you thought you had to go to New Canaan for your modern fix come see what we’ve found right here in Westport and Weston. It might change your mind.

Architect: Larry Michaels

This beautiful photographic exhibit showcases the Westport Historical Society’s startling recent discovery of over two dozen important modern buildings in our comunity.  Also featured:

• a timeline spanning the period from 1930-1960 listing international,   national and local milestones
• an introduction to local modernist architect Victor Civkin
• mid-twentieth century furniture, accessories and paint colors of the period
• film excerpts from 1939: I Have Seen the Future, a documentary featuring the 1939 New York World’s Fair by Westport film maker Lisa Seidenberg

In our Little Gallery: Victor Civkin: Modern Genius Rediscovered . This special exhibit reintroduces Victor Civkin, who, after escaping from Russia in the 1920s, settled here in our community. While employed by General Electric, he developed the “triangle plan” kitchen that is commonplace today.  Civkin was also responsible for designing GE’s exhibit The World of Tomorrow at the New York 1939 World’s Fair as well as the design for a newkitchen at the FDR White House. Following World War II, he was  the architect of the GE-sponsored Young American Homes; 74 of which were built across the country. After his retirement from GE, he opened his own architectural practice, completing over 900 private  commissions. This is a not-to-be-missed American success story.

Special  events that will take place during the run of this exciting exhibit include:

When Cool Was Hot! Film Series: Three period movies, each introduced by  Doris Jacoby, co-chairman of the Friends of the Library Film Committee: My Man Godfrey Sunday, January 31, 2 PM  The Fountainhead Sunday, February 28, 2 PM North by Northwest Sunday, March 28, 2 PM Westport Public Library McManus Room • Free Admission

Play it Cool!  theatre-lunch program produced in cooperation with Play with  your Food using the exhibit as the background and setting.  Westport Historical Society, 25 Avery Place Thursday, March 18, 2010, noon to 1:30 PM. Reservations required 203-222-1424  Ticket $39

Victor Civkin: Rediscovered: A panel  featuring  Rena and Carla Schine,  Civkin’s daughter and granddaughter and Civkin expert, Mark R. Halstead, AIA.  Owners of Civkin houses are encouraged to bring photos and share stories. Westport Historical Society, 25 Avery Place Sunday, March 21, 2010 2-3 PM. Refreshments • Donation $5

The Unitarian Church: Still Cool at 50: A special tour of this award-winning  building, designed by well-known architect Victor Lundy.  Tour guides are John P.  Franzen FAIA and John T. Stevens AIA, of J.P. Franzen Associates, Architects. Continuing Education hours will be reported for AIA Connecticut members. Unitarian Church. 10 Lyons Plains Road, Westport Tuesday, April 13, 2010, 1-3 PM Refreshments following tour. Reservations Required 203-22-1424  Ticket $20
Classic Mid-Century Furnishings, Still Hot: by Jane Swergold, an expert  in this field, takes a fascinating look at the evolution of furniture from the 1930s to the 1960s.   Westport Historical Society, 25 Avery Place Tuesday, April 27, 2010 from 1-2 PM. Refreshments • Donation $5
1939: I Have Seen the Future: Westport filmmaker Lisa Seidenberg’s  documentary featuring the 1939 New York World’s Fair, offers a contemporary  look back at the future envisioned 70 years ago. Premiere screening:  Westport Historical Society, 25 Avery Place , March 4th, 7:30pm,  Resfreshments Donation $5

For more information and to make reservations call the Westport Historical Society  at 203-222-1424 or visit  www.westporthistory.org Photos: Unitarian Church, Westport: Michael Glynn Photo Mid-Century Nelson Ball Clock, Eastman Collection Oscar Levant House,Westport: Michael Glynn Photo

Children from K-5th are welcome.  $55 for members, $60 for non-members, Call to register for program in advance-222-1424

The 2009 Annual Meeting of the Westport Historical Society will be held in the Raymond Room of the Society, 25 Avery Place, on Sunday January 24, 2010 at 1:30 PM. All current members of the Society are invited to attend.  Those interested in becoming members should pick up a membership form at the Society.   The 2009 Annual Report will be presented and the slate of Officers, Directors & Advisory Council for 2010 will be elected.  

WESTPORT HISTORICAL SOCIETY

Board & AC Slate for 2010

Board of Directors

President                                              Dorothy Curran

Exec. VP                                              Allen Raymond

Finance VP                                          Elliott Netherton

Facilities VP                                       Peter Jennings

Membership VPs                             Fran Thomas & Margaret LeBedis

Sponsors VP                                      Dave Matlow

Exhibits Directors                                 Mollie Donovan & Ellen Naftalin

Exhibits Program Director                 Anne Levine

Sponsors Director                                  Mary Ann Laurita

Volunteers & Collections Director   Barbara Van Orden

Treasurer                                              Kathy Nixon (Cheryl Bliss backup mid-Jan  thru mid-April)

Secretary                                              Michaela MacColl

Past President                                       Katie Chase

Advisory Council

Joni Andrews (HGT, HHT)

Ken Bernhard (Legal)

Donna Brody (HGT)

Jeffrey Burns (BNY Mellon Rep; Chamber of Commerce/Community Liaison)

Miggs Burroughs (Newsletter; Graphics)

Katie Chase (Archives)

Don Draves (Collections Registrar)

Maggie Feczko (HDC Liaison)

Gayle Ferencz (Exhibits)

Jo Fuchs Luscombe (Exhibits Refreshments)

Kathy Kincaid (Strategic Planning)

Sue Kirby (Exhibits Programs)

Woody Klein (Newsletter Articles)

Joyce Losen (Publicity)

Kathleen Malloy (Costumes)

Sally Rose (Summer Activities)

Ann Sheffer

Kendall Smith (Oral History)

Larry Untermeyer (Photographer)

Bob Weingarten (House Plaques & Antique Homes Realtor Liaison)

Kevin White (Facilities)

Wally & Denise Woods (Exhibits & Flyers)

Honorary Advis Council: Maxine Bleiweis, Gordon Joseloff, Joe Mioli, Eve Potts, Alice Shelton

Nominating Committee for 2011: Katie Chase, Roy Dickinson, Ann Sheffer, plus 2 or more TBD

Immediately following the Annual Meeting, from 3:00 to 5:00 PM, the new exhibit “Westport Modern: When Cool Was Hot!” will open in the Sheffer Gallery.  The public is invited and refreshments will be served. This exhibit will showcase the early years of modern architecture (and design)–1930s to 1960s–in Westport.  It will will run until early May 2010.

Irena Hart

Harmony4Kidz, an organization dedicated to transforming the lives of homeless children in the Tri-State Area through music and the arts, will present a benefit concert at the Westport Town Hall Auditorium on Saturday, February 6 at 7:30pm. 

Robby Bridges from WEBE 108 will host the festivities. There will be a silent auction, prizes and donations by many community businesses, including guitar lessons from Fairfield Guitar Center and Valentine’s Day gifts from Arbonne, Sendoutcards and Beautiful Faces. 

Musicians performing at the benefit include Irena Hart, (founder of Harmony4Kidz), Al Ferrante Trio, Cassandra Kubinski, Steve Barrett, Larry Shiller, Tony Brochetta, Laura Sumner, the band Face4Radio and special guest Hailey Knox, an 11-year old singer/guitarist.

 Kids ages 8-18 are encouraged to participate and submit their ideas on “How to Save the World” by picking up an entry form at the Historical Society. The Top 10 ideas will be announced at the benefit and the winners will be invited to appear in an upcoming Harmony4Kidz music video and on the local internet TV show, “Rabbi Rock TV.” 

By offering scholarships to music and art camps, schools and colleges,  Harmony4Kidz strives to offer opportunities to homeless and at-risk youths that would enable them to become successful and powerful leaders of society. The Westport Historical Society is a volunteer organization and is honored to serve as a community resource for other nonprofit groups and to work with other organizations to reach their goals and create positive change.

 Tickets are $25 and are available by calling the Westport Historical Society (sponsor of the event) at 203-222-1424 or visit www.harmony4kidz.org.                          

Dedicated to transforming the lives of homeless children

         35 Tuxedo Avenue, Shelton, CT  06484
PhoneFax: 203-922-1870 · Cell: 203-257-0792

 Email: spreadtheword37@gmail.com · Web: myspace.com/spreadtheword37

10 am – 2pm  For kids ages 6-11

Winter  Play-Cation – No work, just good clean,non-electronic play. Multimedia creative, three day Playfest. Taught by Westport folk artist, Elizabeth DeVoll, we will explore lots of old fashioned folklore. Also, art projects,stories, cooking, puzzles and games!

Join us for this February School Break Program!
$150 for WHS members, $175 for non-members

Space is limited; sign up in advance by calling 203-222-1424.
Snack provided; bring bag lunch