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21^st Century Detective Work: Assessing & Researching Your Old House

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2003

The Westport Historical Society's 18th Annual Holiday House Tour, one of the group's largest fundraisers of the year and a showcase event for design lovers, took place on December 5. This premier holiday event was attended by over 800, with fine weather this year making up for last year's blizzard!  Visitors had the chance to view some of Westport's design jewels while supporting a great cause.  With Westport's most prominent interior designers on board this year, including a well-known mother-daughter combination, and a glamorous After Tour Cocktail Party and Silent Auction, a spectacular time was had by all.

All auction and ticket proceeds benefit the programs at the WHS, which include exhibitions, archival research, oral history, and many activities and events for children. WHS Board President Joni Andrews is thrilled with the strong response that the Tour received. "Not only is this a fun and festive way to kick off the holiday season, but the proceeds allow us to continue to offer high quality educational programs and museum-level exhibitions. The WHS has become an important community destination."

The After-Tour Cocktail Party, attended by about 200 guests, took place at the magnificent home of Georgia and Richard Kornutik at 75 Bayberry Lane home. Treats from Tiffany, JL Rocks, Albe Furs, the Saugatuck Rowing Club, The Inn at National Hall, and the Westport Country Playhouse were included in the silent auction, as well as Knicks tickets and those impossible-to-get Saturday Night Live tickets.

Acclaimed Broadway performers Barbara Schottenfeld and Paul Bogaev thrilled party guests with their performance around the grand piano.

All the excitement surrounding the tour this year was generated by new HHT co-chairs Betsy Baron and Kerry Brock, as well as the creative team chairing the After-Party, Susan Weinberg, Kim Ambrose and Susie Klau. They worked with a robust committee of more than 20 new volunteers, who started planning the tour and party months ago.

Visitors toured 5 private Westport homes, including the homes of prominent interior designers Dan Barsanti (of firm Healing Barsanti and co-owner of HB Home in Westport), Beverly Ellsley (owner of Beverly Ellsley Design) and Rebecca Ellsley (design partner, Beverly Ellsley Design). These 3 designers were all recently featured in the Kips Bay Decorator Show House in New York, and are nationally known for their innovative and luxurious designs. Homes on the tour, as well as Wheeler House at the WHS, were decorated for the season by florists including Bambu Garden, Blossoms Plus, Botantica, Magnolia, Philippa Tarrant, and Taylor's Floral Arts.

The Holiday House Tour and After Tour Cocktail Party were made possible in part by the generous support of our sponsors: Connecticut Cottages & Gardens Magazine, Hudson United Bank, Balducci's of Westport, Jewel of Russia Vodka, Black Bear Wines & Spirits, and the Cantering Caterer. Special day of tour loans will be provided by Dovecote, Lillian August, Waterworks, Mitchells, and George Esquivel Shoes, with styling by Wendy Tyler of Set the Stage.

The Westport Historical Society hosted a glamorous afternoon cocktail party following the Holiday House Tour on December 5. The After Tour Cocktail Party was held at the spectacular Bayberry Lane home of Georgia and Richard Kornutik and featured a fabulous silent auction and festive drinks and music. Pictured at the party (l to r) is host Georgia Kornutik and her daughter Lauren.

All the excitement surrounding the HHT party this year was generated by creative After Party Co-Chairs (l to r) Susie Klau, Kim Ambrose, and Susan Weinberg, all of Westport.

Hudson United Bank was a proud sponsor of the Westport Historical Society's Holiday House Tour, a major fundraiser held on Sunday, December 5. Pictured at the After Tour Cocktail Party are (l to r)  entertainers Paul Bogaev and Barbara Schottenfeld of Weston,  who performed at the party,  and HUB Vice President, Area Manager Mar Jennings of Westport

Pictured at the WHS After Tour Cocktail Party are (l to r) Margie Leof of Westport, Holiday House Tour Co-Chair Betsy Baron of Weston, Gina Coniglio of Westport and Karen O’Dea of Weston.

Young Westport Musicians Featured as The Fiddler’s 2 Perform at WHS Holiday Event

The Westport Historical Society proudly presents two young Westport musicians known as “The Fiddlers 2” on Saturday, December 18, for two performances at 12:30 p.m. and 1:30 p.m. at the Westport Historical Society. This wonderful fiddling concert of well-known holiday tunes will be followed by special guided tours of the WHS’s Victorian period rooms at Wheeler House, beautifully decorated for the holidays in traditional style.  Enjoy hot cider and holiday cookies after the performance. Admission to the concert, including the house tour and refreshments, is $3 for adults and $5 for families. There is no charge for WHS members.

Cameron Bruce and Samuel Weiser will perform holiday music at the Westport Historical Society on Saturday December 18 at 12:30 and 1:30 PM.

“The Fiddlers 2” are Cameron Bruce, age 12 and Samuel Weiser, age 10, classically trained violinists who both study at The Suzuki Music School of Westport. Cameron Bruce visited the Mark O’Connor Fiddle Camp in Tennessee last summer and was inspired by the ancestral, musical roots of Canadian, Scottish and Celtic fiddling. He enjoys composing songs and plays first trumpet in the Westport All-City Orchestra. Cameron is also an avid filmmaker and has already directed contemporary short film comedies.

Samuel Weiser has taken master classes in violin and is currently the Concertmaster of the Chamber Orchestra at the Norwalk Youth Symphony. He also plays the viola in of one of Steven Thomas’ chamber groups. Like Cameron, Samuel also composes music and enjoyed the Mark O’Connor Fiddle Camp, which galvanized his love of jazz violin, rock violin and Celtic music. He also enjoys Klezmer tunes and traditional folk music of many cultures.

Susan Gold, Education Coordinator comments, “It is such a pleasure to celebrate this holiday season at Wheeler House by showcasing such talented young musicians from Westport who can get everyone into the holiday spirit. This will be an amazing event!”

Tickets are available in at the door. For further information, please call 222-1424, ext. 108 or email sgold@westporthistory.org.

Mar W. Jennings, Vice President and Area Manager, CT South for Hudson United Bank, has joined the Board of Directors of the Westport Historical Society. Jennings, a long time resident of Westport, has been active in numerous local organizations but is particularly pleased with this new association. “Westport is a wonderful, unique town and the WHS has as its mission to preserve and celebrate its vibrant history. As someone who cares deeply about history and the need to preserve it for future generations, I am delighted to join the Board of this prestigious community organization.” During his four year term as President of the Westport Downtown Merchants Association, Jennings increased membership by 100%, oversaw the creation of the WDMA’s website and was instrumental in implementing the popular holiday lighting of Main Street.

Joni Andrews, President of the Society, speaking on behalf of the Board, emphasized the support Jennings has given to WHS. “Mar has been closely involved with WHS during the year. In May, his garden was included in the popular Hidden Garden Tour that features unique gardens in the area, and in July he chaired the Society’s first Ultimate Sale, a successful community and fundraising event that attracted hundreds of people. He has not only contributed his own time, he has also organized the volunteer support of his Hudson team for the event. His recognized leadership in the community is a valuable asset for the Society.” Jennings also joins the Executive Committee of the Board as a Co-Chair of Development.

Planning is in full swing for the Westport Historical Society's 18th Annual Holiday House Tour, one of Connecticut's most prestigious holiday events. The Holiday House Tour, which benefits the Westport Historical Society, is shaping up to be one of the most glamorous events of the season.

Lucky visitors will tour 5 private Westport homes, including the homes of prominent interior designers Dan Barsanti (of firm Healing Barsanti and co-owner of HB Home in Westport), Beverly Ellsley (owner of Beverly Ellsley Design) and Rebecca Ellsley (design partner, Beverly Ellsley Design). These 3 designers were all recently featured in the Kips Bay Decorator Show House in New York, and are nationally known for their innovative and luxurious designs. Homes on the tour, as well as Wheeler House, the Victorian headquarters of the WHS, will be decorated for the season by florists Bambu Garden, Blossoms Plus, Botantica, Magnolia, Philippa Tarrant, and Taylor's Floral Arts.

This year's Tour will be directly followed by an After Tour Cocktail Party (4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.) in a spectacular Bayberry Lane home. Guests will enjoy a lavish spread donated by Balducci's, fine wines donated by WHS partner Black Bear Wines & Sprits, fabulous specialty cocktails by Jewel of Russia Vodka, and luscious desserts by the Cantering Caterer. An extraordinary collection of items will be available for the Silent Auction, including treats from Tiffany, Albe Furs, JL Rocks, the Saugatuck Rowing Club, The Inn at National Hall, the Westport Country Playhouse, and many more. Acclaimed Broadway performers Barbara Schottenfeld and Paul Bogaev will entertain guests around the grand piano, and exclusive goody bags will be available for all party attendees.

Tickets for the Holiday House Tour are $45 in advance ($35 for WHS members) and $50 on the day of the tour. Tickets for the After Tour Cocktail party are $50 (limited ticketing).   Advance tickets for the tour and the party are now on sale at the Westport Historical Society, 25 Avery Place, or by calling 203.222.1424. Ticket forms and more information about the tour and party are available at www.westporthistory.org.

The Holiday House Tour and After Tour Cocktail Party are made possible in part by the generous support of our sponsors and donors: Connecticut Cottages & Gardens Magazine, Hudson United Bank, Balducci's of Westport, Jewel of Russia Vodka, Black Bear Wines & Spirits, HB Home and The Cantering Caterer. Special day of tour loans will be provided by Dovecote, Esquivel Shoes, Lillian August, Mitchells, Set the Stage, and WaterWorks.

Barbara Schottenfeld and Paul Bogaev

Acclaimed singer/songwriter Barbara Schottenfeld and Grammy/Emmy winning Conductor/Arranger Paul Bogaev recently practiced around the grand piano at a spectacular Bayberry Lane home, the setting for the upcoming WHS After Tour Cocktail Party on December 5. 

Composer, lyricist and singer Barbara Schottenfeld has won 14 American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP) Musical Theatre awards, and has collaborated with Jule Styne, Henry Mancini and Steve Allen. Ms. Schottenfeld’s newest full-length work is Hot and Sweet, the story of an all girl band in Chicago, 1945. Critically acclaimed as both writer and performer, she is described as “diversely talented” (The New York Times), “a true verbal artist” (New York Magazine’s John Simon) and “a megatalent” (UPI). Mr. Bogaev served as Music Director for the 2003 Oscar-winning film Chicago and as Executive Producer of Chicago’s 2004 Grammy-winning soundtrack. Music Producer and Arranger for Elton John and Tim Rice’s Broadway production Aida, Bogaev was awarded the 2000 Grammy for Aida’s Original Cast Album, and has produced and arranged music for numerous other Broadway and television productions. Ms. Schottenfeld and Mr. Bogaev are married and live in Weston with their 3 children.

The Westport Historical Society and Balducci’s of Westport are teaming up to throw a spectacular party on December 5—the WHS After Tour Cocktail Party , which will take place on the day of the Society’s 18th Annual Holiday House Tour. At the party, to be held in an exquisite private home directly following the tour, guests will nibble on delectable hors d'ouevres and cheeses provided by Balducci's, an Elite Sponsor of Holiday House Tour 2004.

"We are so pleased to be involved with this year's Holiday House Tour. As we complete our name change from Hay Day to Balducci's, we have quite a few new and exciting things to celebrate, and this partnership with the Westport Historical Society is certainly one of them," noted Stephen McKenna, Balducci's General Manager in Westport

Adds Joni Andrews, the WHS Board President, “The partnership with Balducci’s allows us to host an amazing event for members of the community during the holidays. We hope to make this glamorous party an annual tradition and this is a great way to start!”

 
Balducci's of Westport has signed on as an Elite Sponsor of the WHS After Tour Cocktail Party,
taking place on December 5 at a spectacular Bayberry Lane home. Planning the menu at Balducci's are (l to r): Balducci's Marketing and PR Manager Carrie Fox, WHS President Joni Andrews,
HHT Party Co-Chairs Susan Weinberg and Kim Ambrose, and Silent Auction Chair Susie Klau.

About the After Tour Cocktail Party

The After Tour Cocktail Party will take place on December 5 from 4 to 7 p.m. in a spectacular Bayberry Lane home. In addition to the lavish spread donated by Balducci's, guests will also enjoy fine wines donated by WHS partner Black Bear Wines & Sprits, and fabulous specialty cocktails by Jewel of Russia Vodka. An extraordinary collection of items will be available for the Silent Auction, including items from Tiffany, Albe Furs, the Saugatuck Rowing Club, The Inn at National Hall, the Westport Country Playhouse, and many more. Acclaimed Broadway performers Barbara Schottenfeld and Paul Bogaev will entertain guests around the grand piano, and exclusive goody bags will be available for all party attendees. Tickets for the After Tour Cocktail Party are $50 a person, with all ticket and auction proceeds benefiting the Westport Historical Society.

About the Holiday House Tour

The Holiday House Tour on Sunday, December 5th, from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., is shaping up to be one of the must-attend events of the holiday season. Visitors will tour 5 private Westport homes, including the homes of prominent interior designers Dan Barsanti (of firm Healing Barsanti and co-owner of HB Home in Westport), Beverly Ellsley (owner of Beverly Ellsley Design) and Rebecca Ellsley (design partner, Beverly Ellsley Design). Homes on the tour, as well as Wheeler House at the WHS, will be decorated for the season by florists Bambu Garden, Blossoms Plus, Botantica, Magnolia, Philippa Tarrant, and Taylor's Floral Arts. Tickets for the Holiday House Tour are $45 in advance ($35 for WHS members) and $50 on the day of the tour. Advance tickets for the tour and the party are now on sale at the Westport Historical Society, 25 Avery Place, or by calling 203.222.1424. Ticket forms and more information about the tour and party are available at www.westporthistory.org.

The Holiday House Tour and After Tour Cocktail Party are made possible in part by the generous support of our sponsors: Connecticut Cottages & Gardens Magazine, Hudson United Bank, Balducci's of Westport, Jewel of Russia Vodka, and Black Bear Wines & Spirits.

To celebrate the opening of the final period room at the Westport Historical Society--the Victorian Dining Room--WHS is offering six history enthusiasts a once-in-a-lifetime gastronomic experience. Only six generous benefactors of the Society will enjoy the unique opportunity to travel back in time to the Victorian Age to sample a sumptuous and elegantly served six-course Victorian meal characteristic of 1867.

The Dinner, on December 3rd, will begin with an overview of dining in the 19th century by New England Historic Food writer and editor, Joseph Carlin. Between each course Mr. Carlin will discuss the food and preparation, and answer questions. News of the day December 3, 1867 will be available for lively conversation as well.

The Victorian Dinner, donated and prepared by WHS board member Sally Rose, will begin at approximately 6 p.m. with cocktails in the Wheeler House parlor, and conclude with dessert and coffee.   Guests are limited to only 6 participants. Menu items will include Roasted Celery with Almonds, Leafy Green Soup, Tomato and Onion Pie, Poached Salmon with Caper Sauce, Filet of Beef with Parsley, and Suckling Pig, and to finish it off, Orange Sherbet, Tipsy Cake, and Vanilla Ice Cream Bomb for dessert.   A donation of $1,000 or more per person is requested, and reservation are limited to six guests. Please contact 203-222-1424 for additional information or to reserve.

The restoration of the family dining room completes the presentation of the life style of a middle class Westport family in the 1860’s. For the dining room, the documented period wall paper, geometric-patterned Brussels carpeting and fringed lambrequins over lace curtains add to the experience of visiting a Westport home of the Victorian era. The Bradley-Wheeler Dining room has been donated by the Van Orden family in dedication to the mission of the Westport Historical Society in preserving Westport’s history.

The Westport Historical Society, founded in 1889, is an educational organization dedicated to preserving, presenting and celebrating the history of Westport, Connecticut. It is committed to increasing awareness of the importance of preserving Westport’s heritage and its historic buildings and landmarks. The only octagonal-roof, cobblestone barn in Connecticut, which is on the property, was completely restored over a ten-year period and houses the Museum of Westport History, displaying a diorama of the town as it looked toward the end of the 19th Century, as well as a dramatic and informative audio accompaniment to the display recorded by Joanne Woodward.

Enjoying WHS Members Tea

Westport Historical Society Members enjoyed a formal Victorian Tea on Sunday, October 11, to celebrate the re-opening of the Bradley-Wheeler Dining Room, the newest period room at the WHS.  A formal tea was served in Victorian china owned by the Historical Society, accompanied by fancy tea sandwiches, scones and desserts.  Pictured in the newly re-opened Bradley-Wheeler dining room are (l to r) Barbara James, who assisted with period research for the dining room; Barbara Van Orden of the WHS, who donated all furnishings and materials for the dining room; WHS Executive Director Denise Torv; and WHS Board President Joni Andrews. The Victorian Dining Room will be the setting for a special dinner on December 3.

The Westport Historical Society and Mary Ann Hall’s Music For Children will present a special musical program for children ages 3 and up called The Color of Blues and A Lot of “Red Hot” Songs That Follow Along. The program will take place on Saturday, November 13, at 2 p.m. at the Westport Historical Society.

The fun will take place in the gallery surrounded by paintings of great blues musicians by Westport artist Eric von Schmidt, as Mary Ann and Bill Hall and friends dance the characters off the canvas and encourage kids to join in the fun with their hands, their voices and their feet.  “This special concert is a way for us to popularize Black-American folk music so that children can connect with the music and make it a part of their everyday lives,” said Mary Ann Hall. “The blues sounds have had such a significant impact on popular music.”

Mary Ann Hall’s Music For Children, a nationally acclaimed early childhood music program, was founded in 1972, and is based on the goal of “Connecting the ART of the Music with the HEART of the Child.” Music For Children, with locations throughout Fairfield County and New York City, focuses on the child as the primary instrument through which the music flows and grows. Hall has created an exciting, multidimensional program that enables children to discover, develop and celebrate their own individual talents. Her husband, Bill Hall, an accomplished performer, teacher and vocal coach will perform at the concert, and acclaimed singer/songwriter Chris Coogan will accompany the Halls for a truly special musical presentation.

Tickets are $6 each, WHS members, $5 each. Admission also includes refreshments after the performance and a visit to the Wheeler House Victorian period rooms and the cobblestone barn. Reservations are recommended. For further information and tickets, call 203-222-1424, x108, or email your request for tickets to education@westporthistory.org.  Special Limited Edition “Blues Bags” are available for purchase after the program. Bags are filled with everything blue: tambourine, castanets, chickitas, and harmonica.

Giants of the Blues 1920 to 1950 by Westport artist Eric von Schmidt is a series of paintings chronicling the roots of Black American folk and blues music. The exhibition of richly hued, large-scale paintings will remain on view at the Westport Historical Society’s Betty and Ralph Sheffer Hall through January 15, 2005

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Mary Ann and Bill Hall

The Westport Historical Society is gearing up for a month of “Frightful Fun” for Westport kids and their families, as it gets ready to celebrate Halloween month with a cemetery lantern tour and scary stories from Broadway actress Katie Sparer.

A Twilight Lantern Tour with Peter Jennings, an authority on Westport’s burial grounds, will take place on Sunday, October 17th from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.

This program will begin at 5:00 p.m. at the Westport Historical Society for an introduction and light refreshments before the Lantern Tour. Participants will then drive to the Greens Farms Lower Cemetery where Peter will facilitate the tour. With lantern in hand, Peter will guide visitors as they learn about one of Westport’s oldest cemeteries and the burial ceremonies of long ago. Each family will be provided with a lantern, and, as the sun is setting, they will step back in time to over a century ago and listen to people who will assume the role of our celebrated ancestors buried in this cemetery.

This tour will offer the community an ideal opportunity to learn more about Westport’s past by visiting a burial ground that is rich in legend and lore. Peter is editing a book about Westport’s burial grounds called “Buried In Our Past”, which will be completed shortly.

Susan Gold, Education Coordinator for the Westport Historical Society, remarks, “This tour is a different kind of outing, filled with intrigue and mystery. The lantern tour is a fun way to learn first-hand about the sacred burial places in our community and the people who left their mark on our community.”

Reservations for the Lantern Tour are recommended. Families are encouraged to come and the cost is $15 per family and $5 for adults/seniors. Call the Westport Historical Society at 222-1424, x108 for information and reservations.

Halloween Ghost Stories October 23

Visit the gallery for an afternoon of Halloween Ghost Stories with actress Katie Sparer, guaranteed to send a chill up your spine and engage young and old alike! In addition to being an avid ghost story lover, Katie Sparer is a professional actor who has performed on and off-Broadway and in regional theatres across the country. Her TV credits include recent episodes on "The Sopranos" and "Law & Order". She can often be seen at performances for the Theatre Artists Workshop in Norwalk and she does believe in ghosts!

Halloween Ghost Stories will be held on October 23 at 2:00 p.m. at the WHS. Refreshments served, $5 per person, reservations required. Please call Youth Education Director Susan Gold at 222-1424, ext. 108 to reserve or for more information.

Save the date for our 18th Annual Holiday House Tour on Sunday, December 5th, from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. The Holiday House Tour, which benefits the Westport Historical Society, is shaping up to be one of the most glamorous events of the holiday season. Visitors will tour 6 unique Westport-area homes, decorated for the season by local florists, including Botanica, Magnolia, Blossoms Plus and Bambu Garden.

All the excitement surrounding the tour this year is being generated by new HHT co-chairs Betsy Baron and Kerry Brock. Tickets are $45 in advance and $50 on the day of the tour. Advance tickets will be available starting in November at the Westport Historical Society, 25 Avery Place, or by calling 203.222.1424. Please email housetour@westporthistory.org or visit www.westporthistory.org for more information.

This year's Tour will be directly followed by a Gala After-Party (4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.) in an exquisite private home, featuring fabulous specialty cocktails, sumptuous hors d'oeuvres and an incredible silent auction of luxury items. Tickets for the Gala are $50 a person, with all ticket and auction proceeds benefiting the Westport Historical Society. After-Party organizers promise a festive and glamorous time at the late afternoon cocktail party, including a lavish spread generously donated by Elite Sponsor Balducci’s (formerly Hay Day Country Market) and fine wines donated again this year by Black Bear Wines and Sprits. The committee is also gathering an extraordinary collection of items for the silent auction.

House Tour and Gala Tickets will go on sale in early November. Please check our website, www.westporthistory.org, for regular updates and ticket sale announcements. Mark your calendar now, invite your friends and family and plan to spend December 5th at the tour and party, all for a great cause!

The Westport Historical Society, founded in 1889, is an educational organization dedicated to preserving, presenting and celebrating the history of Westport, Connecticut. It is committed to increasing awareness of the importance of preserving Westport’s heritage and its historic buildings and landmarks. All auction and ticket proceeds benefit the programs at the WHS, which include exhibitions, archival research, oral history, and many activities and events for children.

For additional press information, photos, and press ticketing, please contact Katie Otey at 203.222.1424 or press@westporthistory.org.

This stunning Weston cape was featured on the 2003 Westport Historical Society Holiday House Tour. The décor of this 1930’s expanded cape is a triumph of originality, creativity, and an unerring aesthetic sense. Most of the furnishing are mid-twentieth century and have been collected from all over the country. The kitchen-great room blends barn motif with a clean-lined modern effect, combining practicality and excitement in the best way. Co-chairs of the 2004 Tour, Kerry Brock and Betsy Baron, promise equally spectacular homes for this year's tour, taking place on December 5, 2004

The Westport Historical Society will be singing the blues as it presents its stunning fall exhibition Giants of the Blues 1920 to 1950 by Westport artist Eric von Schmidt, a series of paintings chronicling the roots of Black American folk and blues music. The collection visually brings together all of Von Schmidt’s talents as an outstanding artist and portrayer of historical events, as well as a songwriter, performer, prize-winning author and illustrator.

Giants of the Blues 1920 to 1950 honors and immortalizes the creators of the blues–those responsible for performing and preserving Black-American folk music. The exhibition is a pictorial history that celebrates those musical artists who preserved and handed down the sounds of the blues. The exhibition of richly hued, large-scale paintings opens with a special reception from 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. on September 12, with a special appearance by Westport jazz group Café Musette, led by guitarist extraordinaire Larry Urbon.

The exhibition will remain on view at the Westport Historical Society’s Betty and Ralph Sheffer Hall through January 15, 2005.

In honor of Von Schmidt, the Westport Historical Society and the Westport Arts Center will be presenting Giants of the Blues: A Musical Tribute to Eric Von Schmidt on Saturday, October 23 at 8:00 p.m. The tribute will feature John Hammond, Jr., Paul Geremiah, Mark Naftalin, Chance Browne and surprise guests. The concert will take place at the Saugatuck School Theater in Westport. Tickets are $30, students 18 and under $5. To purchase, please call the Westport Arts Center at 203-222-7070 or order online at www.westportartscenter.org.

About Eric Von Schmidt
As a small child, Eric watched his father, legendary illustrator Harold von Schmidt, performing miracles week after week in the studio–a truly enchanted space–across the driveway from the family’s main house. Eric painted beside him, sketched with him and often posed for him. His foundation in music came from his mother, Forest Gilmore. Eric bought his first guitar after hearing Leadbelly sing live on a New York radio station and was encouraged by his parents to visit the Library of Congress in Washington D.C. There, he discovered a body of forgotten archival blues recordings–and Eric’s second career was born.

Eric graduated from Staples High School and went briefly to the Art Students League in New York City, before being drafted during the Korean War. After Korea, he received a Fulbright Scholarship to study painting in Italy in 1956-1957. Upon his return, he moved to Cambridge, Massachusetts, and became a folk and blues singer in the Cambridge Coffee House scene and entered the Boston literary field. His book, Baby Let Me Follow You Down, coauthored with Jim Rooney, won the ASCAP Deems Taylor Award in 1979, and Notes for American Folk Music won a Grammy in 1998.

About the Westport Arts Center
The Westport Arts Center is a non-profit organization that provides meaningful arts experiences for people of all ages, helping to make the arts part of everyday life. The Westport Arts Center and its Gallery are located at 51 Riverside Avenue in Westport. Gallery hours are 10-4 Monday through Friday, and 12-4 Saturday and Sunday. For more information, stop by, phone 203-222-7070, or visit the website: www.westportartscenter.org.

Westport Children Step Back in Time

The Westport Historical Society recently held a "Step Back in Time" outreach program at Camp Compo in Westport.  Children got a taste of what Westport was like at the turn of century by viewing old photos, hearing legends of long ago and participating in a "Spoon Relay Race" - old time fun at the beach!  This program was led by WHS Education Coordinator Susan Gold, who will also be leading the Historical Society's Time Travelers Camp in August.

        

Westporter Sam Reach takes a "Step Back in Time" with the Westport Historical Society during its outreach program at Camp Compo in Westport.

Lucas Grevers and other campers listen to legends of long ago as part of the "Step Back in Time" program, presented recently by the Westport Historical Society at Camp Compo.

A historic 18th century gravestone was returned to Green’s Farms Colonial Cemetery on June 29th, after being documented as lost for at least 75 years. Ephraim Bradley's tombstone was found in the yard of Green's Farms resident Martha Bloom, an artist and teacher.  Ms. Bloom contacted the Westport Historical Society for help in locating Mr. Bradley's grave site and the Society Vice President, Peter Jennings, along with WHS Archivist Barbara Raymond, helped return the monument to its rightful place.

The Bradley family, led by Ephraim's grandfather, John, immigrated to America about 1660, and settled in Fairfield. Ephraim was born in 1703, lived to the age of 45, and was memorialized by the sandstone gravestone with beautifully carved embellishments typical of the period.  How the gravestone was “spirited away” from the cemetery, and why it ended up in Ms. Bloom's yard, is a mystery.  Thanks to Ms. Bloom and the WHS, it is again standing watch in its neighborhood against the south wall of the cemetery. 

The Westport Historical Society, founded in 1889, is an educational organization dedicated to preserving, presenting and celebrating the history of Westport, Connecticut. It is committed to increasing awareness of the importance of preserving Westport’s heritage and its historic buildings and landmarks.

Westport Historical Society Vice President Peter Jennings and Westport artist Martha Bloom
with the historic headstone of Ephraim Bradley, found in Ms. Bloom’s yard.

The historic headstone of Ephraim Bradley was found in the yard of Green’s Farms artist Martha Bloom
and has since been returned to its rightful place in Greens Farms Colonial Cemetery.
 

Something Old, Something New, Something Historical:
The Ultimate Sale at the Westport Historical Society!

A treasure trove of furniture, antiques, accessories and collectibles awaits shoppers to the Westport Historical Society’s first ever Ultimate Sale, which takes place on July 17th and 18th.  "The Ultimate Sale will be a fun event for the whole family," said WHS executive director Denise Torv. "In addition to a range of unique items, the Society will be open and visitors can stroll through the exhibits currently on view and the Victorian period rooms."

The event also serves as a fundraiser for the Society, which presents changing exhibitions and a program of activities throughout the year including lectures and historic walking tours. The Society is also home to thriving archival and oral history research programs.

Mar Jennings, Chairman of the WHS Ultimate Sale, said he expects that "visitors will take advantage of the beautiful, shady grounds and enjoy looking for a special treasure; there will be something for everyone. To add to visitor enjoyment, cold drinks and ice cream will be available."

Sponsored by Hudson United Bank, the sale will include donated furniture and accessories such as frames, rugs, silverware, crystal, glassware, and vintage jewelry and clothing.

Local and out-of-state vendors are participating to bring an eclectic collection of items to the grounds of the Society and on Saturday, to Veterans Green.

To encourage community participation the WHS is also accepting donations from the public for the Ultimate Sale. Donated items can be brought to the Society on Avery Place from Wednesday, July 7 through Thursday, July 15, between 12 noon – 4:00 p.m., or by appointment.

For donation information, please call the WHS at 222-1424, x201, or visit WHS at www.westporthistory.org.

For vendor information please call Denise Torv at 222-1424, x105.

The town of Westport takes center stage on public television when CPTV airs A Gathering of Glory!, the innovative documentary produced by the Westport Historical Society and directed by Westport resident Martin West, on Thursday, July 1, at 9:00 p.m.

Westport Historical Society executive Director Denise Torv is excited that the documentary will be seen by a wider audience. “The production of A Gathering of Glory! is yet another way in which the Westport Historical Society works to fulfill its mission of celebrating the history of Westport,” Torv said. “Any Westporter or Westonite with an interest in the evolution of their towns and especially, in their creative heritage, should have this film in their library.”

A Gathering of Glory! tells the story of Westport and Weston, Connecticut, which at the turn of the last century developed into havens for the country’s renowned visual artists, musicians, writers and performers. Interviews with numerous residents including Joanne Woodward, Christopher Plummer, Jon Corigliano, Evan Hunter, Paul Cadmus, Hilton Kramer and many more, take the viewer on a cultural journey from early in the last century through the present and into the future.

West, an award-winning filmmaker and former actor, completed A Gathering of Glory! last year after two years of production. "I never experienced anything that could take as long as it did," said West. "If someone had told me in 1999, when I shot the first interview for A Gathering of Glory!, that it wouldn't reach the air until the summer of 2004, I would've felt very stressed out about the next 5 years. But complaining was useless because I understood that any artist must realize that most of the time it actually takes years for a project to reach completion and then to reach people. I feel blessed that both those opportunities happened at all."

The creation of this unique documentary, with music by Paul Alan Levi, was supported by funding from the Society and individual donors. The special broadcast will be repeated on Sunday, July 11 at 2:00 p.m. Joanne Whitehead, CPTV Program Director, said there are plans to schedule an additional prime time broadcast in the Fall.

A Gathering of Glory! takes a thematic look at the unique community of people and talent that turned Westport and Weston into a thriving center of the creative arts. The fascinating documentary is divided into four separate segments:

"The Brush, the Hand and the Eye” documents the heritage of the visual arts and artists who made Westport and Weston art havens.

“The Players” looks at the actors in films, theater, and television who made these towns their homes.

“Pen and Harmony” focuses on the contributions of the many writers and musicians who helped create a nurturing environment during the last century.

“Inescapable Destiny”, the final segment, explores the future of the arts in Westport and Weston and includes interviews with young people who will carry on the tradition.

A Gathering of Glory! is an imaginative historical record of the many creative personalities who made this area their home. Copies are available on VHS at the Westport Historical Society for $19.95 ($17.95 for members). Please visit www.westporthistory.org for additional information about A Gathering of Glory! and to print out an order form. Please call the Gift Shop at 222-1424 to inquire about availability of the DVD version and to pre-order larger quantities for the holiday season.

The Westport Historical Society, founded in 1889, is an educational organization dedicated to preserving, presenting and celebrating the history of Westport, Connecticut. It is committed to increasing awareness of the importance of preserving Westport’s heritage and its historic buildings and landmarks.

Gallery and Gift Shop hours 10-4 Tuesday-Friday, and 12-3 on Saturday.

On Sunday, June 6th, the owners of five spectacular gardens will graciously open their properties to the public as the Westport Historical Society hosts its 13th annual Hidden Garden Tour. The Hidden Garden Tour committee of the Westport Historical Society is busy planning the most spectacular tour and the the biggest market yet!

Pictured are (l to r):Garden Tour Co-Chairs Linda Adelman, Sarah Shaw and Linda Gates, and WHS President Joni Andrews.

The Hidden Garden Tour, which benefits the Westport Historical Society, traditionally draws hundreds of visitors from throughout the region and is a widely anticipated spring event. All of this year’s inviting gardens, cloistered away from the beaten path, will offer gardeners new ideas and inspiration to take back to their own gardens, and casual observers will have a relaxing day enjoying the beauty of these impressive properties. Detailed garden descriptions are in "About the Gardens" below.

On the day of the tour, the grounds of the Westport Historical Society and Veterans Green will be transformed into a Garden Market where vendors and craftspeople will offer home and garden related items for sale. Please see the full list of vendors and items in "About the Garden Market" on the next page.

In addition, many local businesses have generously donated impressive items for the Garden Raffle, and in keeping with the festive atmosphere, refreshments will be served and box lunches will be available at the Garden Café.

The Hidden Garden Tour runs on June 6th from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m Tickets for the Tour and the Box Lunch will be available starting in May. Please email gardentour@westportistory.org, call 203-222-1424, or visit www.westporthistory.org for more information and to print out a ticket form. Tickets for members are $22, tickets for non-members are $30, and day-of-tour tickets are $35.

About the Gardens

The 2004 gardens range from small intimate plots of land abundant in ideas with a profusion of plant material, to the essence of perfection at a glorious shoreline estate.

Exquisite Tapestry This year’s Garden Tour offers a rare opportunity to visit the park like grounds of a beautiful rambling Connecticut home where the artist/owner has expressed her creativity for over 40 years. Mature flowering shrubs frame a vignette of an outstanding collection of specimen conifers whose texture and color provide winter interest and perfectly juxtapose the serenity of a pond surrounded by sweeping lawns. Over a dozen cultivars of Japanese maple trees are scattered throughout the property. Abundant perennials add colorful interest to the pool area, and a small knot garden establishes intimacy at the front entryway.

Flourishing Fantasies A tiny parcel of land could not limit the vision and imagination of this gardener, who began his gardens in 1997, and whose home and gardens have been featured in Home Magazine. Roses selected for color and fragrance, flowerbeds lined with antique bricks, garden ornaments, overflowing window boxes and containers, and ornamental flowering trees radiate charm wherever you look. Boxwood hedges, topiaries, perennials, and a raised-bed of herbs spilled beyond boundaries, and with the collaborative enthusiasm of the neighbor next-door, two small plots of land became an intimate oasis of fantasy and beauty.

Shoreline Sublime A softly curving driveway, under a canapé of exquisitely pruned mature trees reflects the stately beauty and serenity of a distinguished shoreline estate. An entry garden brimming with roses, alliums, perennials, and shrubs invites attentive strolling. Evergreens provide the background for a quiet shade garden of ginger, hostas, and ferns bordering a stone path that leads to a pool. Dramatic over scaled pots of uniquely planted flowers frame the most breathtaking expansive views of Long Island Sound.

Yesterday Revealed A quintessential 130-year-old Victorian home, with three authentic barns, graces a portion of what was once the site of extensive farmland. Several themed gardens add to the historic ambiance through the use of heirloom peonies, old-fashioned hydrangeas, lilacs, forsythia, lamb’s ear and ferns. Roses cascade in profusion along a fence surrounding the pool, and a gazebo is bathed in wisteria and blackberries. Daffodils, iris, Montauk daisies, climbing hydrangea, a beautiful crabapple tree and ornamental grasses provide color throughout the season. A fenced vegetable garden elicits thoughts of days gone by.

Boundless Beauty Evergreens and mature rhododendrons offer glimpses of a classic colonial home creating a sense of mystery and a desire to know what lies beyond. Both owners of this historic property have expressed their passion in gardens of different natures. One tends a meandering garden abundantly planted with shade loving perennials that leads to a sunny opening, revealing a pool. The other’s interest lies within a meticulous vegetable garden, tucked behind beautiful stone walls, offering a bountiful harvest of tomatoes, fresh herbs, squash and other vegetables. The view from a uniquely stepped patio leads beyond fruit trees, beyond the pool, barn and vegetable garden to a vista of open fields of grasses that complete the picture for this energetic family who are enriched by the soil.

About the Garden Market

This year's Garden Market will be our most spectacular ever, with new vendors and a wider variety of items for the home and garden devotee. The market will feature garden ornaments from RF Steelworks; a fabulous range of glass and pottery for the home from Simon Pearce; herbal oils, seasonings, jams and mustards from Bittersweet Herb Farm; creative furniture from Marvin Gardens & Steel Statements; and unique accessories for the home and garden from Millie Rae. For those who enjoy bringing a little of the outside inside the home there will be a range of container gardens from Twombly Nursery, botanical embroidered linens from the Boxwood Design Studio and beautiful lavender sachets presented by Cynthia Alexander.

For unique accessories either for yourself or to give as a gift, Nikki Bates will be presenting her jewelry made from semi precious stones. Or, if fresh water pearls are your thing, be sure to visit Lady Ming. To complete the line up of unique and interesting jewelry Lynne Ostilly will be participating not only with her jewelry collection but with a range of African baskets also. From baskets to bags you can find stylish bags and travel accessories available from Catch All, and tote bags, personal accessories and unusual floor mats by Amy Z.  For the little ones in your life there are adorable handmade accessories from Kiss That Frog and stunning baby blankets from Charlie & Grace. Greeting cards will be available from Lizzy Cards and Tickedyboo Cards and Gifts to accompany your purchases.

21^st Century Detective Work: Assessing & Researching Your Old House

Your Questions Answered at the Westport Historical Society

Have you always wanted to find out more about the history of your home but were unsure of where to start? Are you interested in historic preservation of local homes? Join an expert panel of archival and preservation specialists when 21^st Century Detective Work: Assessing & Researching Your Old House is presented by the Westport Historical Society, continuing the successful Old House School lecture series.  Panelists for the April 10th lecture will include Jack Shannahan, one of the country’s leading experts on historic preservation.

Hilary Stevens, creator of Old House School and a Westport-based Realtor with William Raveis Real Estate & Home Services, will serve as panel leader, and will also address the importance of historic home designations.

“For the Old House School series, we've been focusing on preserving our antique gems through renovation,” said Ms. Stevens, who specializes in historic homes.  “This panel will focus on research and historic preservation."   

Other panelists are Cheryl Bliss, an archival specialist at the Westport Historical Society, and author David Press, who will each address antique home research, and how to obtain a historic plaque for homes that are more than 50 years old; and Professor Ernest Weigand, coordinator of the department of archeology at Norwalk Community College, who will discuss what historic clues can be found not only in your home, but on your outside grounds.

Rounding out the esteemed panel is Jack Shannahan, who served as Director of the Connecticut Historic Commission for more than 30 years, and was also a State Historic Preservation Officer, will speak on the state of preservation today in Connecticut and the nation,  identifying current trends in the preservation community, and discussing how residents can be involved on a local level.  

Under Mr. Shannahan’s leadership at the Historic Commission, more than 70,000 properties were inventoried and documented in the statewide Historic Resources Inventory, and almost 1,400 individual properties and districts have been listed on the National Register of Historic Places.  He received the prestigious National Preservation Honor Award received form the National Trust for Historic Preservation in 2003. In making the award, the National Trust cited Shannahan “for the nearly 35 years he has dedicated to preserving some of the state's best known landmarks. And in a groundbreaking, gutsy career as director of the Connecticut Historic Commission and State Historic Preservation Officer, he made his state a model of preservation activism, innovation, and success.”

21^st Century Detective Work: Assessing & Researching Your Old House will be held on Saturday, April 10, from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., and is part of Old House School, a six-month educational series of lectures and panel discussions on the preservation and restoration of the town’s antique homes.  The accompanying exhibition, This Old Westport House, on display through May 16, includes paintings, photos and artifacts which highlight Westport’s amazing array of antique homes.

Other challenging issues facing antique home renovators will be addressed in upcoming Old House School lectures Interior Design for Period Homes with Richard Hershner, principal, Historic Design Associates (May 1) and Landscapes for Period Styles with Sheila Wertheimer, Principal, Wertheimer & Associates (May 15).

Tickets are currently on sale for all lectures, and will also be available at the door for each lecture. Tickets are $10 for each lecture for members of the Westport Historical Society, and $15 per lecture for non-members. For more information, please call (203) 222-1424, email houseschool@westporthistory.org or visit www.westporthistory.org, where ticket forms are available. 

The Westport Historical Society, founded in 1889, is an educational organization dedicated to preserving, presenting and celebrating the history of Westport, Connecticut.  It is committed to increasing awareness of the importance of preserving Westport’s heritage, as well as its historic buildings and landmarks.

Old House School is made possible in part by donations from PLI Brokerage and David Preusch, Architect.

In Australia, Ms. Torv was associated with the development of Sydney’s most visited museums:  The PowerHouse Museum, The Mint and Barracks Museum, and the Hyde Park Barracks, as well as the established Australian Museum. She looks forward to involving the community in the diverse exhibitions and programs offered by the Westport Historical Society.

The Westport Historical Society invites Westporters to take a trip down memory lane with their new exhibit documenting downtown Westport over a 20-year period—its quaint charm, architectural integrity, commercial pulse and its ongoing adaptation to the changing scene. Downtown Westport: Seen Through the Camera’s Eye features over 75 photographs by Westporter David Matlow, and will be on view at the Historical Society through May 16, 2004. Since 1983, Mr. Matlow has been capturing the changes on Main Street as they have occurred. Main Street treasures such as The American Pie Store, Dorian’s Drug Store, The Selective Eye and The Ship’s Restaurant are all featured. Many of the photographs were taken on Christmas Day, so as to avoid visible street traffic in the images.

Also on view in the exhibit are paintings Library Park, on loan from the Westport Schools Permanent Art Collection, and artist Kathy Jakobsen’s Main Street, on loan from the Sheffer-Scheffler Collection. Many additional photographs from the Society’s archives are also on display.

“The theme of this exhibit highlights the ongoing challenges of preserving our streetscapes, as well as our antique houses. It ties in perfectly with our current exhibit This Old Westport House, as well as the accompanying Old House School lecture series,” said Joni Andrews, the Society’s president. “Our goal is to inspire members of the Westport community to cherish and preserve our remaining antique buildings."

Meet David Matlow on Saturday, March 20 at the Historical Society as he welcomes guests to Downtown Westport: Seen Through the Camera’s Eye, beginning at 10:30 a.m. Visit with Mr. Matlow before and after the next lecture in the Old House School series The Mechanicals of Your Old House, from 11:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Old House School is a six-month educational series of lectures and panel discussions on the preservation and restoration of the town’s antique homes. The accompanying exhibition, This Old Westport House, on display through May 16, includes paintings, photos and artifacts which highlight Westport’s amazing array of antique homes.

About David Matlow

David Matlow moved to Westport in 1973 and for years commuted to New York for his marketing management position with a major corporation. In 1984, Matlow started a Westport-based strategy consulting business for corporate sales forces, RCP Inc., now known as the IMPAX Corporation.

In 1983, Matlow began to photographically record downtown Westport on a periodic basis. He captured both its changes as well as its retained architectural facades over the years.

In an introduction to the 1920 book Main Street, written by Pulitzer Prize-winning author Sinclair Lewis, it is stated, “Main Street is the climax of civilization." Similarly, Matlow’s romance with Westport’s Main Street dates to his birth on the Main Street of a small coal-mining town in northeastern Pennsylvania.

Matlow feels that Main Street is at the magnetic center of Westport’s attractions. So many others who love Westport have idolized it with personal and cherished photographs and artistic renderings. This exhibit of the recorded history of our Westport’s Main Street over the past twenty years documents its quaint charm, its architectural integrity, its commercial pulse and its adaptation to the gentrification movement of the 1980s and 1990s.  Matlow and his wife Ann reside in Westport.

What to Expect When Renovating Your Old House: Your Questions Answered at the Westport Historical Society

Westport resident Debby Angotti will address the fascinating and challenging process of restoring her antique house when the Westport Historical Society's successful Old House School lecture series resumes on February 28.  Ms. Angotti will be joined by restoration contractor Chris Wuerth and Historic District Commission member Barlow Cutler-Wotton for What to Expect When Renovating Your Old House.

Ms. Angotti’s historic home, The Nathaniel Finch House, was built in 1707. Several objects were found during the restoration of the home, and are currently on display at the Historical Society as part of the exhibition This Old Westport House, which is running concurrently with Old House School.  Objects on display include wallpaper fragments, a watercolor sketch found behind a parlor fireplace, antique glass bottles, a bead purse, a clay pipe, etched brick, dish shards, and a baby shoe.

The Angottis were recognized by the Westport Historical Society’s Board of Directors in 2000 for their “significant restoration and preservation to a residential property.”

What to Expect When Renovating Your Old House will provide an overview of the renovation process from the homeowner's perspective.  Ms. Angotti and Mr. Wuerth will discuss how the homeowner and contractor collaborate and they will show before and after slides of renovations they've completed. Ms. Cutler-Wooten will talk about the origins and function of the Historic District Commission and the role they play in renovation of homes in historic districts.

"TV has glamorized home improvement and unless you've lived through it, it’s hard to believe how financially and emotionally draining it can be, particularly when a home 100 years old is involved," says Old House School creator Hilary Stevens, a Westport realtor with William Raveis Real Estate.  "Before we discuss specific issues of renovation, I thought it important to discuss the process in general and communicate the challenges as well as the joys of renovation."

What to Expect When Renovating Your Old House will be held on Saturday, February 28, from  11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., and is part of Old House School, a six-month educational series of lectures and panel discussions on the preservation and restoration of the town’s antique homes.  The accompanying exhibition, This Old Westport House, on display through May 16, includes paintings, photos and artifacts which highlight Westport’s amazing array of antique homes.

Other challenging issues facing antique home renovators will be addressed in upcoming Old House School lectures Caring for the Exterior of Your Old House, on March 6; The Mechanicals of Your Old House, on March 20; and The Interior of Your Old House, on April 3. These discussions will be lead by David Preusch, a Westport-based architect who specializes in antiques.

Tickets are currently on sale for all lectures, and a limited number of tickets will be available at the door for each lecture. Tickets are $10 for each lecture for members of the Westport Historical Society, and $15 per lecture for non-members. For more information, please call (203) 222-1424, email houseschool@westporthistory.org or visit www.westporthistory.org, where ticket forms are available. 

Westport Historical Society and TEAM Westport Celebrate Black History Month

The Westport Historical Society and TEAM Westport honor Black History Month with a special exhibit in the Little Gallery at Wheeler House, located at the Westport Historical Society.  The exhibit features the I Have a Dream Series of black and white drawings by Tracy Sugarman, including portraits of Martin Luther King and Rosa Parks.  Sugarman’s portraits of black inventors are also featured, with contributions from inventors Andrew T. Beard, Lewis Howard Latimer, Elijah McCoy, and Granville T. Woods shown in great detail.

Also on display are several stunning composition studies by Eric von Schmidt, which serve as a preview for the exhibit Giants of the Blues 1920-1950, which will open at the Society on September 12, 2004.

Through fascinating excerpts on display, Westport writers Dan Woog and Woody Klein take a look back at 13-1/2 Main Street, Martin Luther King’s visit to Westport, the Intercommunity Camp, and Project Concern.  The bold 13-1/2 Main Street painting by early Westport artist J. Clinton Shepherd, on loan from the Westport Schools Permanent Art Collection, completes the exhibit.

About TEAM Westport

In April 2003, Westport First Selectman Diane Farrell established a multicultural awareness initiative called TEAM Westport. TEAM =Together Effectively Achieving Multiculturalism. TEAM Westport’s mission is to make Westport more welcoming to multicultural populations.

TEAM Westport, a Multicultural Strategy Committee, brings together diverse members of the Westport/Weston community to learn from one another, to analyze issues, to evaluate options, and to recommend specific actions to achieve and to celebrate a more welcoming, multicultural Westport/Weston community. 

About A BETTER CHANCE

ABC is a national program that, since 1963, has provided academically talented children of color access to some of the nation’s finest college preparatory schools, both public and private.

A Better Chance of Westport, in existence since 2002, offers minority students with academic potential, motivation, and commitment to civic and social responsibility, the opportunity to attend Staples High School.

From the very beginning, the community has shown strong support for the ABC program. The ABC scholars are an asset to Staples, bringing a valuable new perspective to Westport students.  ABC benefits the entire town through the involvement of the scholars in community life in volunteering, after-school jobs and host families.

Together with the resident directors, the students live in the Glendarcy House, purchased and reno