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West Hartford

America 250 Events Calendar

We're highlighting some of our previous events:

  • July 1:  A Musical Tribute to America's 250th Anniversary

    The West Hartford Symphony Orchestra and the West Hartford Women's Chorale will join talents for a special evening of music and community on July 1 at 7:30 PM at Duffy Elementary School. This inspiring program will honor the American spirit and feature the premiere of Paean To Our Heroes, an original work for chorale and orchestra composed by Maestro Richard Chiarappra for this occasion. Admission is free. WHCi YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=66bhbzXmVfM 

  • June 18: The Declaration of Independence: A Minute Reading into Meaning, Memory & Fantastical Misunderstanding!

    Matt Warshauer, a professor of history at Central Connecticut State University, is fascinated by what he calls “the American paradox,” the ever-challenging conundrum between the nation’s founding document and the difficulties of pursuing essential ideas of freedom. With a unique ability to draw in his audience, Warshauer guided listeners through the complexities of American political and constitutional history so that we can all think more clearly and better understand our role as citizens. This lecture was held at the Noah Webster House and West Hartford's Historical Society.

  • June 3: We The People Project by Ginny Kemp

    On the eve of the United States' 250th anniversary, the We the People Project offers a powerful snapshot of West Hartford and its residents, photographed and curated by Virginia Kemp. Through portraits and interviews, the project highlights everyday individuals whose courage, creativity, and compassion shape their community through steady, meaningful contributions. While rooted in Central Connecticut, these stories reflect how communities everywhere thrive when people show up for one another and do their part.

  • May 31: Building A Dairy Empire: A. C. Petersen

    Drawing from Petersen family archives and new research, Chuck Coursey, host and producer of West Hartford’s history podcast Trout Brook Tales, and Mary Donohue, West Hartford Town Historian, share the history of Danish immigrant Andrew C. Petersen’s dairy empire. The lecture was held in the former milk delivery truck garage, now the Playhouse on Park Theater. Ice cream was included courtesy of the A.C. Petersen Restaurant next door!

  • April 30: West Hartford's America 250 presents Transitions: What We Gained, What It Cost

    Transitions: What We Gained, What It Cost is a virtual panel discussion exploring how West Hartford evolved from a quiet farming outpost and into the vibrant suburb we know today. Shifts in zoning laws, industrialization, and immigration created new opportunities for some while erecting invisible barriers for others. Panelists include Mary Donohue, Town Historian, Jack Dougherty, Professor and Author of On the Line, and Dan Sterner, Author and Historian. WHCi YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OfvDdnXWjNg

  • April 25: Belonging: A Celebration in Song
    This program turns to music - one of the most enduring ways people express identity, memory, and hope. Amelia Classical Music Series, proudly based in West Hartford and founded by immigrant soprano and Artistic Director Zhanna Alkhazova, presented an evening that honors the many paths that lead people to call a place home. The event was held at the Flagg Road United Church of Christ, 134 Flagg Road, West Hartford.

  • April 23:  King Philip’s War and Indigenous Voices Today: Past, Present, and What Our Nations Continue to Teach

    As we celebrate the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States, we must acknowledge the Indigenous peoples who were here long before. Expert Indigenous panelists from Southern New England led a thoughtful discussion on the historical and ongoing impacts of colonization, resilience, and cultural survival. Hosted at King Philip Middle School, the event respectfully acknowledged the history of King Philip's War while centering the living cultures of Native Nations today. WHCi YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lhxeJt1PFTw

  • April 8: The Constitution and The Bill of Rights
    From the Articles of Confederation to the Federalist Papers and the Anti-Federalist Response, the Constitution was a correction to a failed system of government. The trick was balancing government power with the people’s liberties. This lecture was presented by Matt Warshauer, a professor of history at Central Connecticut State University, and held at the Noah Webster House & West Hartford's Historical Society.

  • March 12: Noah Webster: Partisan Federalist (1792-1843)
    In 1789, Noah Webster rejoiced along with his countrymen at the auspicious inauguration of George Washington, America’s first president. Daunting as it had been for the Founding Fathers to design a new Federal government that met the approval of citizens in thirteen, very diverse states, the business of governing the nation under the provisions of the new U.S. Constitution would threaten to tear the young nation apart. Craig Hotchkiss presented this lecture at the Noah Webster House & West Hartford Historical Society.

  • March 7: Ancestral Echoes: Epigenetics, Indigenous Resilience, and Environmental Justice
    Panelists Heather Angel Mars-Martin, Bevin Rainwater, and Cassandra Toscano explored epigenetics and how systemic issues like water scarcity, toxic exposures, and the lived experience of Indigenous historical trauma manifest within the very biology of Indigenous Peoples. The program was moderated by Judy Wyman. The event was held at the Noah Webster Library. WHCi YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1CdMfYarVV4&t=9s

  • February 19: Bristow: A Life Remembered
    Booker & Elena DeVaughn presented the remarkable life and times of Bristow, a resident of the West Division of Hartford (now West Hartford) in the mid to late 1700s. Regarded for his agricultural knowledge, he was enslaved by the Thomas Hart and Sarah Whitman Hooker family until 1755, when he bought his freedom. Bristow lived with his former enslaver, Sarah Whitman Hooker, in his later life and rests in Old Center Cemetery on North Main Street, West Hartford. In 2004, West Hartford named its third middle school after Bristow. This program was held at the Noah Webster House & West Hartford Historical Society. WHCi YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tdO2Dc474Sw

  • February 15: Flags of America Showcase
    Flags of America Showcase featured all 27 official versions of the American flag, from 1776 to the present, with dates of when states were added to our country. Special thanks to the Knights of Columbus Assembly 3000 of West Hartford and Assembly 138 of Coventry for the flag exhibit and installation. Summary of the event with interviews (14 min. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=87grD2h0aCU&t=4s) Full event: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2wJUFX4x-yI&t=3647s (2 hrs. 20 min)

  • January 22: Working for the Revolution: Patriot Women’s Lives During the War
    Katherine Hermes, publisher and executive director of Connecticut Explored magazine, explored how women contributed to the American Revolutionary effort politically, economically, intellectually, and even militarily. Using original sources such as newspapers, court records, letters, and pension records, Dr. Hermes showed how Indigenous, Anglo-European, and African-descended women helped further the Patriot cause. This program was held at the Noah Webster House & West Hartford Historical Society.

  • November 12: Oh, How We Danced!
    Attendees learned about how early American families passed the time with music and dancing. Frances Cibel Hendrickson gave a presentation of 18th-century dance music through songs, visuals, and readings. Frances Cibel Hendrickson has devoted her life to preserving and sharing the music, dance, and culture of the 18th century. This program was held at the Noah Webster House & West Hartford Historical Society.

  • October 29: Before Salem: Witch Hunting in the Connecticut River Valley
    Decades before the Salem Witch trials, 11 people were hanged as witches in the Connecticut River Valley. The advent of witch hunting in New England was directly influenced by the English Civil War, and the witch trials in England led by Matthew Hopkins, who pioneered “techniques” for examining witches. Dr. Richard S. Ross, Professor Emeritus and former College Librarian at Trinity College, examined the history of the witch hysteria in the Valley, focusing on accusations of demonic possession and the role of the clergy. This program was held at the Noah Webster House & West Hartford Historical Society.