We recently had the privilege of spending time at the Stanton-Davis Homestead Museum, located at the intersection of Osbrook Point Road and Greenhaven Road. The homestead is the oldest house in Stonington, dating back to 1670. It was built by Thomas Stanton, one of the founders of Stonington- along with Thomas Miner, Walter Palmer, George Denison, and William Chesebrough. Sold in the 1760's to the Davis family, the land remained in the Davis family for over 260 years and is recognized as the oldest continuously operating farm in Connecticut. The Homestead shares its history with the Pequot, Mohegan and Narragansett tribes. Venture Smith's own history also has ties with this property. The last resident of the house was farmer John “Whit” Davis, who passed away in 2016 at the age of 91. Determined to preserve the historic house, Davis worked to preserve the Homestead.
In 2004, a non-profit corporation was formed to preserve the Homestead, along with its contents, as a museum. The Board members of the Stanton-Davis Homestead Museum, along with a group of volunteers, have been working tirelessly to raise funds for preservation and renovation.
The mission is to "protect, maintain, and preserve the Stanton-Davis Homestead and artifacts with the purpose of creating a museum and educational center open to the public, and dedicated to the memory of the Thomas Stanton, and Davis family, Native Americans, and African American slaves, associated with the history of the homestead-all of whom were instrumental, in the founding of Connecticut.”
Each room of the Homestead contains stories of the generations of families and individuals that have lived and worked within this home, along with ties to the broader history of our Town and the State.
This Friday, April 22, 5:30-6:30 there is a volunteer meet and greet (fun fact- there will also be pizza and drinks, along with a chance to learn more about ways you could give your time and talents to this local effort). There are also a series of tours (May 21, July 23 and September 24 from 10-11 and 11:30-12:30). And starting in June there will be weekly Yoga on the Lawn from 9-10 every Wednesday (book via website). On August 13th from 10-12 State Archeologist Sarah Sportman will give a peek into earlier times on the farm. And finally, on October 15th from 11-12:30 they will hold a 'Warm and Fuzzy' Halloween Party, complete with pumpkin painting and a squash toss.
Please help us share the word about this wonderful local asset, along with upcoming events and opportunities to get involved. Woodworking, photography, brick washing, and note taking are all skills that can be put to good use- among many more. So please come this Friday, or reach out to the volunteers pulling all this work together, to find out how you can be part of this historic project.
To learn more please visit stanton-davishomestead.org or email VicePrisident@stanton-davis.org.
Original source can be found here.
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