Lebanon Historical Society hosts Hands On History Family Fun during CT Open House Day

Melanie Savage, Hartford Courant
·2 min read

Among the many activities available to Connecticut residents during this year’s Open House Day (June 10) was a Hands On History Family Fun event, hosted by the Lebanon Historical Society Museum.

“This is our part of Open House Day,” said museum Director Donna Baron. “We have a campus full of demonstrations and activities.”

The free event also offered hands-on games and crafts, with crafters demonstrating their techniques in blacksmithing, wood carving, chair making, and more. There were free, antique Model T rides around the historic, mile-long Lebanon Town Green. There were also opportunities to try one’s hand at beating a rug or churning some butter.

Among the displays were native American artifacts discovered locally in town. Asked to describe his collection of arrowheads and other tools, Rod Dzialo gave a nod to his friend sitting next to him, John Drum.

“He got me started looking for these,” said Dzialo. “He told me, ‘Don’t get discouraged because the first time you find one you’ll be hooked,'” he continued.

Dzialo said that the key is to look for chips first – pieces of stone that come off of an arrowhead when the tool is being shaped. Where there are chips, there will inevitably be tools, he said.

“There are three most common types of rock they’re made out of,” said Jim Bender, referring to the arrowheads.

Flint, quartz, and quartzite are the most common types of stone used to make arrowheads in this area, according to Bender.

Other tools such as clubs or hammers, said Bender, are made out of softer varieties of stone.

“Everybody likes to find the arrowheads, but there are so many other types of tools you wouldn’t even recognze, you’d just walk right by,” said Bender.

The Lebanon Historical Society Museum and Visitors Center is located at 856 Trumbull Highway. The Museum has a number of upcoming events, including an encampment on Saturday, July 15 featuring the Lebanon Militia and Sheldon’s Light Horse.

The Quiet Corner Fiddlers will be doing an outdoor concert on Sunday, Aug. 13 at 6 p.m. There will be a performance by Rick Spencer on Sunday, Sept. 10 at 2 p.m. featuring historic songs of the American workforce.

And on Saturday, Sept. 30, the Annual Antique Show on the Green returns from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. This will be the show’s 56th year. For general information about the antique show call 860-642-6579. For dealer info call 860-423-8876.