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Oxford Historical Society

Post Office Box 582,   Oxford, Connecticut, 06478


Twitchell-Rowland-Homestead

Twitchell-Rowland Homestead
60 Towner Lane, Oxford
Oxford's History Education Center & Museum
 

Grand Opening

May 5, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.

May 6, 1 p.m. - 4 p.m. 

The Oxford Historical Society will hold a Grand Opening of the Twitchell-Rowland Homestead on May 5 & 6.  The celebration will be held rain or shine, and will feature both indoor and outdoor events and exhibits.

The museum is dedicated to Oxford's local history, with an emphasis on the history of agriculture in the area and on water power technology.  Oxford's early prosperity was a result of our farming and our swift-moving streams where mills could be built to process wool, to saw wood, to grind locally-grown grains, and to utilize the large apple crop for the production of cider and cider brandy.

Featured at the Opening will be sheep shearing demonstrations at 1 p.m. on both days, and continuing demonstrations on spinning.  Felting will also be demonstrated.

A special event on Saturday at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. will be the appearance of David Loda, portraying Colonel David Humphreys, aide de camp to General Washington during the Revolution. While serving as ambassador in Europe he arranged to import Merino sheep. This breed is known for its excellent fiber and good size.  With the introduction of the improved breeding from these sheep, local farmers were able to produce more wool and meat.  Humphreys established America's first woolen mill in Humphreysville, the area that later became Seymour. 

Inside the Homestead exhibits of local history artifacts will be on display.  

The Society is thankful for the support the Town of Oxford and its residents have given to saving the Homestead and preparing the museum.  As a way to thank the public, there will be no admission charge for the program.

A special 4-page commemorative program insert will be included in the May 2 issue of VOICES, courtesy of a grant from the Valley Community Foundation.  Directions and parking information will be included in the insert.


"Oxford History Remembered"
New Book Available
The Society's newest book, Oxford History Remembered, will be available for sale at the Grand Opening.  The book, which features stories of local history, is priced at $20.00.  The book includes tales from Oxford's early history, the contributions of Oxford residents in times of war, as well as more recent stories, such as the establishment of the Oxford Land Trust.  The book includes a history of the 6-year effort of the Oxford Historical Society to preserve the Homestead.
Society Photo Collection Grows:

The Oxford Historical Society has received  many class photographs from Oxford Center School.  The photographs are being scanned and filed for preservation in our archives.

Residents are asked to help identify the students and teachers in the photographs.  You may see our growing collection here:


Oxford Centralized School:

1963-64
1964-65 
1965-66 
1966-67 
1967-68 
1968-69
1969-70 -MISSING!
1970-71
1971-72
1972-73
1973-74

More coming!

See how many
you can identify!
Please email your answers to: Photos@oxford-historical-society.org

Harriet's Quilt
An Oxford signature quilt from before the Civil War.
See information on the quilt and on the people who made and signed it:
HERE
Download a free Kindle copy of the book "Chauncey Judd,
or a Boy Stolen,"
by Israel P. Warren.
Story of burglary and kidnapping during the American Revolution, with parts of the story taking place in Oxford.

To download, RIGHT CLICK HERE and choose SAVE AS.  

 Want to help us
work on the Homestead?

Volunteer painters and carpenters are always appreciated.  If available to help, please email availability and phone number to dottie@oxford-historical-society.org

Thanks to all who
donate or volunteer --

Together we preserve
Oxford heritage!
Have Oxford History Items to Donate?

Collections Policy and Donation Agreement Form

Contact any Officer

Homestead in the Air, starting down Towner Lane.  09-28-2006
Photo by Cindy Joy

Oxford Honored by
Connecticut Trust for Historic Preservation 
The people of Oxford and the Oxford Historical Society were recently honored for our work in preserving the Homestead, and designated with a Connecticut Trust Preservation Award. The award was presented in Hartford at the State Capitol on April 4.  The following is from their Connecticut Trust website:

"Built in 1755, this house has a long connection with prominent local families and is listed on the State Register of Historic Places. When development threatened the house, the developer was convinced to donate it to the Town. Moved to a new, town-owned site, the house received a new foundation and chimney base, and was restored by the Oxford Historical Society.  A multitude of workers donated their labor to the project, including members of building trades, Boy and Girl Scouts, area foundations, and many local volunteers. The people of Oxford succeeded where many towns and small nonprofits fail by involving a wide range of people throughout the community. The task of managing so many different groups and individuals alone is a remarkable achievement. "
Source: http://www.cttrust.org/12635






































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