\n Tired of dark days and looking for something fun to do wi th your children or grandchildren during February vacation? From Monday\, February 18th\, through Friday\, February 22nd\, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.\, join us at the Windsor Historical Society’s Hands-On-History Learning Cen ter and make your very own hand-dipped paraffin candle to take home. Diff erent colors for dipping make each candle unique. The Hands-On-History Le arning Center\, where children can try on reproduction colonial clothing\, try out a child-sized rope bed\, or “milk” Flavia the cow\, can be enjoye d at the same time. Also on view in the Learning Center is Building Br idges\, an exhibition of artworks created by Windsor High School stud ents inspired by Windsor’s historic architecture. When you’re finished ca ndle-dipping and are looking for another fun family activity\, craft your own model of a house or freeform artwork. Using the examples provided by t he Windsor High School Pre-AP Art Students in their exhibition\, families can use toothpicks and marshmallows to create their own three-dimensional art. Cost for this program is $10 per family\; or $5 per adult\, $4 for se niors\, $3 for children\, and $2 for members. A parent or guardian must a ccompany their children.
\n\n Candles are largely decorative today b ut have been used as a light source for thousands of years. The ancient E gyptians and Romans used candles. In the middle ages\, tallow (fat from c ows and sheep) was saved and used for candles which were smoky and smelly. Chandlers or candle –makers would go from household to household\, tradi ng for tallow to make their candles. Beeswax was also used in the middle ages to make a candle which burned brightly and with a sweet scent\, but i t was rare and expensive. In the late 18th century\, clean-burning whale oil candles began to replace the old-fashioned and smoky tallow candles an d in the 1850’s\, paraffin\, a by-product of petroleum\, became the candle -making material of choice. Very soon\, the kerosene lamp and the light bulb (invented in 1879) would begin to put candles out of business. By m aking a candle the old fashioned way\, you’ll be participating in a time-h onored tradition.
\n\n The Windsor Historical Society\, founded in 1921\, invites visitors to explore the people\, places\, and events that have shaped Windsor for over 375 years. The Society’s museum includes cha nging and permanent exhibition galleries\; a hands-on-history learning cen ter for families\; a research library and manuscript collection housing Wi ndsor photographs\, documents\, ephemera\, and genealogical materials\; a museum gift shop and two historic houses open to the public: the 1758 Joh n and Sarah Strong House and the 1767 Dr. Hezekiah Chaffee House.
\n\n The Windsor Historical Society is open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.\, Tuesda y through Saturday. General admission is $5 for adults\, $4 for seniors a nd students\, and free to children under 12 and Society members. Call (86 0) 688-3813 or visit us on the web at http://windsorhistoricalsociety.o rg for directions to the Society and more information about programs. To receive e-reminders for public programs\, please send your e-mail add ress to jalberti@windsorhistoricalsociety.org.
\n\n\n96 Palisado Avenue\nWindsor\, CT\n06095\n\n DTSTART:20130218T100000 DTEND:20130218T130000 LOCATION:Windsor Historical Society PRIORITY: RRULE:FREQ=DAILY;UNTIL=20130222;INTERVAL=1 SUMMARY:Make your Own Candle at Windsor Historical Society and Build a Hous e During February Vacation Week URL:http://www.connecticutmag.com/Connecticut-Magazine/Calendar/?view=view_ event&itm=13841 END:VEVENT END:VCALENDAR