All programs are held at the Windsor Historical Society unless otherwise noted. 

For more information, call (860) 688-3813.

March 16       7pm - 8pm

Gain the luck of the Irish at the Windsor Historical Society’s St. Patrick’s Day Concert of Fiddle and Harp Music from 7:00 PM to 8:00 PM. Fiddler Kate O’Brien and harpist Wendy Lucas love sharing the joy, spirit, and heartfelt emotion of Celtic music.  They will treat you to a selection of traditional and contemporary Irish music, combining it with history, stories and song.  Irish soda bread and apple cider served.  COST: $6 adults, $5 seniors and students, $4 members. $1 discount to anyone wearing green.

April 6       7 pm - 8:30pm

Timely Topics:  The U.S. Census: Past, Present and Future at Windsor Historical Society.  Diana McCain from the Connecticut Historical Society will review the history of the U.S. Census from 1790 to 1930 and show how historical census data aids the work of historians and genealogists. Orlando Rodriguez from the Connecticut State Data Center at UCONN will address the importance of the 2010 census, how it will be used by demographers, and the trends he expects to see.  Paul Mounds from Congressman John Larson’s office will talk about how census data impacts state representation at the Federal level and our state's potential for receiving federal funds.  Cost: $6 adults, $5 seniors and students, $4 WHS members.  (860) 688-3813  for more information.

April 24       2pm – 3pm

Wrap up Earth Month with Scott Kessel’s workshop and performance Recycled Rhythms at Windsor Historical Society.    You’ll discover that there’s a world of instruments in your recycling bin.  Learn rhythms, songs, and more about cultures from around the world while using instruments that you make yourself  -- everything from drums, shakers, banjos, wooden harmonicas and film canister flutes.  Celebrate May Day and bring the whole family for an uproarious good time as you play your home-made instruments together in a grand finale parade. COST: $6 adults, $5 seniors and students, $4 members, $15 per family.

May 6       5pm - 7pm

Rediscover unexpected beauty in Windsor’s many and varied landscapes at the opening of Len Hellerman’s  “Windsor -- A Photographer’s View” exhibition at Windsor Historical Society.  This is a Windsor First Thursday program open to all. Wine and hors d’oeuvres served.  COST:  Free.

May 15       10am – 12pm

“Historic Windsor Bike Tour” with Society Educator Julia Baldini.  Slow down and explore downtown Windsor and the historic district from the seat of your bicycle.  Examine different styles of architecture, and learn about some of the exciting events that have taken place right in your back yard all while enjoying the spring sunshine and getting some exercise. This ten mile (mostly flat) tour starts at Windsor Historical Society promptly at 10AM. Cost: $6 adults, $5 seniors and students, WHS members $4.  688-3813 for more information.

May 25       7pm - 8:30pm

Timely Topics: Windsor’s Broad Street Green at Windsor Historical Society.  How do you think our town center should look and function? Which ideas from former town plans should be revisited?   Jim Burke, TOW Economic Development Director, Harry Freeman of HD2 Development, Helen Higgins, Executive Director of the Connecticut Trust for Historic Preservation, Patrick Pinnell, architect and planner, Sharran Selig Bennett from the Chamber of Commerce's new Economic Development Committee and John Simone, Executive Director of Connecticut Main Street Center will start a community discussion on the history, viability and future of town greens/town centers, the economics of historic preservation, planning and zoning issues.  Local environmental educator Meg Enkler will moderate.  Bring questions, comments, concerns, solutions.  A ten minute continuous-loop PowerPoint presentation showing the evolution of the Broad Street Green will be showing before and after the program. Cost: $6 adults, $5 seniors and students, $4 WHS members.  (860) 688-3813 for more information.

June 8       7:00pm – 9pm

Visions of Windsor:  Photography Contest Evening at Windsor Historical Society.  Experience Windsor landscapes, buildings, wildlife, and people from a photographer’s point of view. The Society invites local photographers to show up to five minutes of their best Windsor-based images in PowerPoint format.  Audience members will vote for winners. First prize:  $150, Second Prize:  $100,  Third Prize:  $50.  Photographers:  register with the Society by June 1. Cost to the public:  $6 adults, $5 seniors and students, WHS members $4. 688-3813 or www.windsorhistoricalsociety.org for more information.

June 15       7pm – 8pm

Following the Windsor Historical Society’s short Annual Meeting at 7 PM, the public is invited to discover the beauty of Windsor with photographer Leonard Hellerman.   Hellerman’s eye has led him through Windsor’s back woods and byways and along well traveled paths. See a 45 minute presentation of stunning photographs of Windsor’s rivers, architecture, tobacco fields and natural parks, and explore the aspects of Windsor that make it unique. Cost: $6 adults, $5 seniors and students, Free to WHS members.  (860) 688-3813 or www.windsorhistoricalsociety.org for more information.

July 10       10:00am - 3:00pm

The Windsor Garden Club and the Windsor Historical Society host their third annual Garden Tour, “Windsor Garden Getaways”, today from 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM.  Tickets are available at the Windsor Historical Society and from Garden Club members.  $10.00 in advance, $15 day of event.  860-688-3813 or visit windsorhistoricalsociety.org.

July 6       7pm – 9pm

“Introduction to Genealogy” at Windsor Historical Society.  Learn the basics of family research from experts in the field.  This is part one of a four part genealogy series offered at the Society.  The Society’s Research Library will be open at 6PM for program attendees looking to do research beforehand.  Cost: $15 per person or $50 for the series.  860-688-3813 or www.windsorhistoricalsociety.org for more information.

July 13       7pm – 9pm

“Genealogy Databases and Online Resources” at Windsor Historical Society.  With so many genealogy resources available online, it’s sometimes difficult to tell which sites offer the more useful information.  Compare and contrast different sites available and discover useful research tips.  This is part two of a four part genealogy series offered at the Society.  The Society’s Research Library will be open at 6PM for program attendees looking to do research beforehand.  Cost: $15 per person or $50 for the series.  860-688-3813 or www.windsorhistoricalsociety.org for more information.

July 20       7pm – 9pm

“Timelines: Placing Your Heritage in Historical Perspective” at Windsor Historical Society with Laura Prescott.  Match historical events to an ancestor’s life, or synchronize one ancestor’s life events to another’s using genealogical software as well as everyday software programs to create a graphic profile and timeline.  This is part three of a four part genealogy series offered at the Society.  The Society’s Research Library will be open at 6PM for program attendees looking to do research beforehand.  Cost: $15 per person or $50 for the series.  860-688-3813 or www.windsorhistoricalsociety.org for more information.

July 27       7pm – 9pm

“Ellis Island Online and On-Site: Finding Your Ellis Island Ancestors”.  You may be one of millions to have used the web site www.ellisisland.org, but have you harnessed all the power the site has to offer?  This workshop at Windsor Historical Society is an in-depth discussion of all the site features with a special emphasis on tips and tricks for finding those elusive immigrant arrivals. Once you understand how the data are structured, you'll find it easier to adapt your search strategies to match your situation.  This is part four of a four part genealogy series offered at the Society.  The Society’s Research Library will be open at 6PM for program attendees looking to do research beforehand.  Cost: $15 per person or $50 for the series.  860-688-3813 or www.windsorhistoricalsociety.org for more information.

September 11       10pm – 4pm

Patriot’s Day House Tour sponsored by Windsor Historical Society. A striking selection of historic Windsor residences will be open for public touring.  Costumed members of the Windsor Jesters community theater group portraying historic events of the era in which the houses were built will welcome tour participants.  Advance tickets:  $20; day-of-tour tickets $25. 688-3813 or www.windsorhistoricalsociety.org for more information.

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Back by popular demand, Terry Borton brings the American Magic Lantern Theater Company Patriotic Show to Windsor Historical Society in honor of Memorial Day.  Hour-long performances at 10 AM, 1PM, and 7 PM cover 300 years of American history in story and song.  Performance includes illustrated sing-alongs like “Yankee Doodle” and “The Star Spangled Banner”; stirring stories like “The Man Without a country,” and the comic tale of a manure-splattered American genius and his home-made flying machine.  Plus an animated Uncle Sam.  Integrates well with school curricula and works beautifully for adult and family audiences. $6 adults, $5 seniors and students, $4 WHS members.  (860) 688-3813 or www.windsorhistoricalsociety.org for more information.