Hartford Village
The celebration, in its third year, invites people into the village to stroll along Maple Street and visit the Hartford Library, the Hartford Historical Society and the Greater Hartford United Church of Christ for activities and merriment. It takes place from 1-7 p.m., cumulating with a soup-and-sandwich supper at the church. All activities, including the supper, are free.
“I like every part of the event,” said Hartford Library Director Nadine Hodgdon. “I think it’s really nice just to have the village alive for those hours.”
Storyteller Simon Brooks will spin winter and holiday tales at the library, where there also will be a display of antique tin houses, ornament-making crafts, a quilt raffle and refreshments.
The idea for the event came about during a conversation between Hodgdon and Hartford Historical Society President Martha Knapp, who were discussing ways “to bring people in,” to the historic village, Hodgdon said.
“It was really well received,” Hodgdon said of the first year of the event. The community interest was high and it was decided to make the celebration an annual event.
At Garipay House, the home of the Hartford Historical Society, there will be an evergreen centerpiece craft, tours of the museum, an antique toy display and — a favorite — dozens of free hand-knit hat and mitten sets for children made by resident Mona Bouthillier.
“They just look so pretty. They’re just so colorful,” Knapp said. “We’re just so grateful.”
The event brings visitors to the historical society who might not have found their way there in other ways.
“It’s just a real busy place and I love to have it be busy here,” Knapp said. “I love to have a lot of people participating and getting accustomed to us.”
At 4 p.m., the church bells will ring, welcoming people to a handbell concert followed by caroling led by Lester Gibbs on the 1835 Johnson pipe organ.
“It’s a real sense of community and it brings the village alive,” Hodgdon said. “It’s an old village and we have a really rich history and it just brings it all together.”
Editor’s note: For more information about the event, contact the Hartford Library at 802-296-2568 or the Hartford Historical Society at 802-296-3132. Liz Sauchelli can be reached at esauchelli@vnews.com or 603-727-3221.
