From the President’s Desk

Society Membership-start your relationship with Willington History! 

So here we are again, as Summer fades and we slowly transition into the subtle changes brought about by cooler weather which ushers in the brilliance of our autumn colors. With this as a background, the Historical Society is hopefully set to begin an active Fall season in and around our Glazier Tavern. It's hard to believe that the Society has made our home at the Tavern now for ten years. That time has rewarded the Society and the residents of Willington with a stable and attractive two hundred (plus) year old building that reflects the history that preceded us all to this little piece of Connecticut's quiet corner. 

Over these ten years at the Tavern we have often talked about using the building as an interactive platform to bring interesting and educational programs to our members, neighbors and friends in the community. Which brings me to the next pending project for the Society to more actively use the building as a public space. That project centers around addressing compliancy with present day building codes and ADA accessibility. To bring this to a positive conclusion we are presently working alongside the Town’s building and fire officials. 

The remainder of this year will be a time for developing a strategy to raise funds for this substantial undertaking for our 2019-2020 fiscal year. I would ask interested members of our Willington community to consider helping to “ramp” up this fundraising effort. Drop us an email! (willingtonhistoricalsociety@gmail.com) 

Well, so much for what we're planning on the inside … there's also something for you to watch on the outside of the property this Fall. Keep your eyes on the small field to the side of the tavern that borders Common Road. A New England split rail fence has taken shape. The fence will grow to completion as time permits for rail splitting. At this point, Ted Demers and I have split our way through at least two 14-foot logs. 

Looking forward, as we keep our eyes on the past, I am excited to share in the journey, 

Bob Shabot  

Tavern Times

Please join the Society for an Open House at the Glazier Tavern in conjunction with the annual Town tree lighting. The Society invites all members of the Willington community to participate. This is the time to kick off the traditional holiday season, with good song, community spirit, fun and lite refresh-ments as we join together to add some festive color to the evergreen tree on the historic Willington Town Green. 

Plan on attending and enjoy the surroundings of our 1815 tav-ern, the glowing fires and the Society's ten years of making the Glazier Tavern its home. New furnace fund raising continues—with $2,856 raised to date, with a goal of $7,500. The following members, friends, neighbors and foundations have contributed: Dale Smith, Evelyne Parizek, Susan & Bruce Smalheer, Bruce Lyon, Reid & Riedge Foundation (matching Bruce Lyon), Christine Psathas & Bob Shabot, Corrine Passardi, Clyde & Jean Hall, Chopeta Lyons & Mark Palmer, Karen Rabe, Robert Wilkins, Lisa Ferriere, Sue & Paul Schur, Thomas Smith, Anne Sylvia, Ellie Lowell, Fred Glazier, Doris Lake, Maurice Stapleton, The Hall Foundation, Inc., Randy Belair, E.J. & Doris Letsch, Mark & Shari Masinda and several anonymous donors. We are very grateful for their support. 

Other News

Older than thought … recent research by Willington Town Historian, Mark Palmer, has revealed that the tavern building could have been built as early as 1806 and not by Daniel Glazier. 

Carpenter Wanted - to help with the restoration of the Society's 1850's three hole privy. The privy is a Willington original from Polster Road. 

New apple tree planted - an antique cider apple tree has been planted in the Tavern yard where a large soil pile had been. Now we sit and wait for it to grow a few years! Interesting thing - when digging the hole for the tree, pieces of an old sheet cast iron stove came out of the hole. (No, not on their own!) 

Wall Restoration -at present work is progressing on the interior, north wall in the taproom area. The focus of the project is to restore the missing peg and chair rails to the wall as well as restoring the original wall and molding colors. 

Wanted - 3 Locust poles, for use as fence posts (8 ft. long). 

Monthly Meetings

The Historical Society holds monthly meetings on the third Tuesday at 7 p.m. They are held at the Town Office Building at 40 Old Farms Road, during the fall and winter months, and at the Glazier Tavern on the Town Green during the summer months. Check the Society's or Willington Town websites for a complete listing. The meetings are always open to anyone interested in the history of Willing-ton and the ongoing activities of the Society. 

If you’re cleaning up and throwing out…

The Society is interested in items that help recount Willington History. 

• Oral history 

• Genealogical information 

• Historical items (old stuff) 

• Historical documents including letters, diaries or photos relating to: 

  • Willington residents 

  • Schools, churches, mills, farms and houses 

  • Town government 

  • Willington glass, buttons or Hall thread 

  • Bicentennial Celebration 

  • Willington's 275th celebration parade