Connecticut was one of just two states that did not vote for the Constitutional Amendment prohibiting the sale of alcohol in 1919. And, during the 13-year period of prohibition, it was a cat-and-mouse game of rum runners and bootleggers trying to outsmart the very few federal agents assigned to enforce the law. Long Island Sound gave run runners an advantage, while the many inland locations were challenging to police. Hear all about the trials and tribulations of prohibition at this talk.

Wed, Jan 15, 2025

12:00-12:30: Lunch

12:30-1:30: Presentation

Litchfield Community Center

(lunch and talk are free and open to the public [donations are gratefully accepted]; preregistration on the LCC website is required for lunch)

No part of Connecticut borders on the Atlantic Ocean, yet that didn’t stop the state’s intrepid seafaring entrepreneurs from engaging in multiple, exciting ocean-based adventures and discoveries over the centuries. CT was second only to Massachusetts in whale hunting, the submarine was invented here, and the first American to lay eyes on Antarctica was a CT resident. Hear all about the state’s great history with the high seas at this presentation.

Thu, Jan 23, 2025; 6:30 p.m.

New Milford Public Library

(open to the public)

This "hobo" has been dead for 135 years, yet he is still remembered and beloved in western Connecticut and eastern NY state. The Leatherman wore a self-made suit comprised entirely of leather and roamed the countryside, sleeping in caves and avoiding discussion with people. He never revealed his true identity. For the last six years of his life, he walked the same, 365-mile loop route, every 34 days, like clockwork. You could predict when he would return to your town. Learn all about this fascinating human at this presentation.

Mon, Jan 27, 2025; 6:30 p.m.

Trumbull Public Library

(open to the public)

There were many skirmishes in Connecticut between the British and the Patriots during the Revolutionary War. Only once, though, did the British march as far inland as during an April weekend in 1777. Their mission was to destroy the Patriot supply depot at Danbury - clothing, tents, weapons, food, etc. They thought it would be a simply exercise and that residents would welcome their efforts to stamp out revolutionary activity. Nothing could have been further from the truth and you’ll hear the entire story during this talk.

Wed, Jan 29, 2025; 6:30 p.m.

North Branford Public Library

(open to the public)

ZOOM ONLY - register with the library

The odds were stacked against them. Only a few federal agents were assigned to police the rum runners and bootleggers operating in Connecticut during Prohibition 100 years ago. The state was not happy to have its alcohol consumption habits curtailed. Connecticut was one of just two states that voted against the amendment to the Constitution, outlawing the sale of alcohol. In this talk, you’ll hear about the creative measures and people who worked to keep drinks flowing.

Wed, Feb 26, 2025; 6:30 p.m.

North Branford Public Library

(open to the public)

ZOOM ONLY - register with the library

During his lifetime, P.T. Barnum was arguably the most famous human being on the planet. He was known everywhere he went as the greatest master showman of his day. Barnum was a Connecticut man, through and through. Born in Bethel, he moved to Bridgeport as he was building his wealth through the American Museum in New York City. While in Bridgeport, he contributed to the city in innumerable ways, both through investments as well as leading the city as an elected official at the state and local level. He created unmatched luxury in the mansions he built and left a rich legacy including Seaside Park, Mountain Grove Cemetery and much more. We’ll look at Barnum’s life in Bridgeport in this presentation.

Thu, Feb 27, 2025; 6:30 p.m.

Port 5 (Brewster Street)

Sponsored by Barnum Festival 2025

(open to the public)

Whether its the 200-year history of whaling, inventing submarines, undertaking world renowned explorations, or trying to survive mind-numbing accidents on the high seas, Connecticut has had a remarkable relationship with the oceans over the centuries. In this talk, you’ll learn of the brave seafaring crews who built and operated ships to grow the state’s economy and to bring the sea captains substantial wealth and prosperity.

Wed, Mar 26, 2025; 6:30 p.m.

North Branford Public Library

(open to the public)

ZOOM ONLY - register with the library

Connecticut was against the Constitutional ban on alcohol from the earliest days of its proposal. However, it became the law of the land. CT essentially thumbed its nose at the ban. Many rum-runners and bootleggers populated the state, especially along Long Island Sound. Boats brought alcohol into the state regularly. There were more than 1,500 speakeasies in the state. Hear all about it at this presentation.

Wed, Apr 2, 2025; 6:30 p.m.

Killingworth Public Library

(open to the public - advanced registration advised)

Connecticut has a long and rich history of tales from the high seas. A state resident was the first American to find Antarctica. There’s a lengthy history of whale hunting, for which a number of CT communities built the whaling vessels. One intrepid crew from New London found the abandoned British ship The Resolute stuck in ice in the Arctic Circle and towed it back - with its timbers being made into the President’s Oval Office desk by a thankful Queen of England. And, nail-biting rescues of CT crews trapped in a submarine and in a rubber life raft in gale force winds will leave you shuddering. Hear these stories and more at this talk.

Tue, Apr 8, 2025; 6:30 p.m.

Ledyard Public Library - Gales Ferry

(open to the public; space is limited)

He's been dead for 135 years - and nobody knows his actual name. His gravestone and his death certificate both read, "The Leatherman." A seemingly simple hobo, who wandered the northeast for more than 30 years became infamous after something inside him changed drastically. For the last six years of his life, he hiked the same, 365-mile circuitous route every 34 days like clockwork in western CT and eastern NY. He hiked in a self-made leather suit and slept only in caves. Ask him where he's from, and you would never see him again. Hear the story behind this amazing, legendary figure.

Tue, Apr 23, 2025; 6:30 p.m.

Plainville Historic Center

Sponsored by the Plainville Historical Society

(open to the public)

January 8, 2025

EC Scranton Library in Madison

December 12, 2024

Wethersfield Library

December 5, 2024

Sherman Public Library

December 3, 2024

New Fairfield Historical Society

October 29, 2024

Burlington Public LIbrary

October 1, 2024

New Fairfield Historical Society

August 7, 2024

Southbury Public Library

July 30, 2024

Ridgefield Public Library

July 25, 2024

Woodbury Public Library

June 18, 2024

Danbury Public Library

June 11, 2024

Seymour Public Library

June 5, 2024

Brookfield Historical Society

May 23, 2024

Burlington Public Library

May 13, 2024

Humanists-Freethinkers of Fairfield County

May 8, 2024

East Granby Historical Society

May 3, 2024

Greater Danbury Bar Association

May 2, 2024

Watertown Public Library

April 25, 2025

Sherman Public Library

April 24, 2024

Ridgefield Historical Society

April 17, 2024

Killingworth Public Library

April 9, 2024

Drum Hill Daughters of the American Revolution

Wilton Library

March 20, 2024

North Branford Public Library

March 15, 2024

New Haven Free Public Library

March 11, 2024

Lady Fenwick Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution

March 7, 2024

Bethel Public Library

February 27, 2024

Danbury-New Fairfield Women’s Club

February 21, 2024

North Branford Public Library

January 31, 2024

New Milford Public Library

January 25, 2024

Ridgefield Public Library

January 24, 2024

North Branford Library

January 17, 2024

Wallingford Public Library

December 7, 2023

Farmington Public Library

December 6, 2023

Seymour Public Library

December 6, 2023

Greater Danbury Area Men’s Club

November 19, 2023

Newtown Historical Society

November 15, 2023

New Fairfield Historical Society

November 8, 2023

Sherman Public Library

October 26, 2023

Bethel Public Library

October 18, 2023

New Fairfield Historical Society

October 5, 2023

New Fairfield Historical Society

September 27, 2023

Sherman Public Library

September 20, 2023

Cheshire Public Library

September 8, 2023

Canterbury Historical Society

July 12, 2023

Cheshire Public Library

June 28, 2023

New Fairfield Historical Society

June 27, 2023

East Hampton Public Library

June 15, 2023

New Fairfield Senior Center

May 20, 2023

Mary Clap Wooster Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution

April 4, 2023

New Milford Library

March 30, 2023

Mark Twain Library

March 28, 2023

Redding Chapter of the American Revolution History Club

March 13, 2023

Humanists-Freethinkers of Fairfield County

March 9, 2023

New Fairfield Senior Center

February 21, 2023

Woodbury Public Library (Zoom)

February 18, 2023

New Milford Public Library

February 7, 2023

New Milford Public Library/Zoom

January 26, 2023

The Linden

January 11, 2023

Greater Danbury Men’s Club

January 5, 2023

Bethel Library

November 30, 2022

The Linden

November 1, 2022

New Fairfield Historical Society

October 20, 2022

The Linden

October 12, 2022

New Fairfield Historical Society

September 9, 2022

Merwinsville Hotel

August 17, 2022

New Fairfield Historical Society

July 20, 2022

New Fairfield Historical Society

June 22, 2022

New Fairfield Historical Society

March 16, 2022

Groton Library

December 9, 2021

New Fairfield Senior Center

September 10, 2021

Merwinsville Hotel