Bauer Park provided the setting for docents from the Deacon John Grave Foundation to instruct children and adults on the mechanics of vintage toys.
The enthusiastic players (of all ages) put aside their mobile phones to delight in the simple games of a bygone era.
Edward Albee’s dramatic masterpiece was presented inside the big tent on the grounds of the Deacon John Grave Foundation. The Tony-winning play explores the complexities in marriage of a middle-aged couple, George and Martha.
The play’s unvarnished approach to an evening shared with George, 
Martha, and another couple resulted in standing ovations by the audience.
On a beautiful Sunday summer evening, the Manston Big Band showcased songs from the Great American Songbook, delighting the foot-tapping audience.
The music was co-sponsored by the Deacon John Grave Foundation and the Madison Historical Society.
As guests relaxed in lawn chairs and picnicked, the band entertained with favorite musical standards.
Grave Foundation members, in period dress, joined the Madison Historical Society for its Summer Festival on the Madison Green.
The August 27th event provided families with a day of arts, antiques, and activities.
At the Grave House table, children and their parents experienced vintage games of skill.
Without video screens and internet, participants quickly adjusted to the fun provided by the Deacon’s collection of toys.
Madison Lyric Stage presented ten performances of Pippin with a large and talented cast.
The new tent on the grounds of the Deacon John Grave House provided the perfect venue for the big top carnival setting.
Pippin, the Tony Award-winning musical, follows a mysterious troupe of actors with a commanding lead player.
The fictional storyline tells about Pippin, young son of Charlemagne, and his search for adventure…and meaning in his life.
The MLS production of the Tony Schwartz musical captivated audiences.
John Grave 2 lived in the original house in 1685. Around 1711 he added an addition with massive fireplaces built by slaves from Guilford.
The caps were damaged and collapsed in the Summer of 2021.Thanks to a Bauer Grant, new one and one/half inch bluestone caps were fitted and secured.
A Grave House board member joined the July 4th event, driving her antique model T.
The parade attracted a large crowd from Madison, as well as visitors from the surrounding area.
When the parade marched down the Boston Post Road in town and on to the Surf Club,
spectators cheered and waved at the costumed passengers and the vintage car, sporting its “Grave House” sign.
Connecticut Open House Day brought 80 guests from New York, New Jersey, and around Connecticut to visit the Deacon’s house. The visitors were treated to hearth cooking demonstrations.
They learned about the generations of the Grave family, who lived in the house, as they toured the building. Many guests spent time in the gardens and on the wildflower walk, while at the historic property.
As a follow-up to the operatic season opener, the Madison Lyric Stage Company presented ten performances of Sondheim’s Sweeney Todd.
Audience members thrilled to the production, as well as to the creative use of the deluxe new tent.
Humor lightened the show’s serious storyline for the ten performances from June 9th to 19th and prompted enthusiastic standing ovations.
The Deacon partnered again with Madison Lyric Stage for their 2022 Season. The audience cheered the dynamic double bill that included Kurt Weill’s The Seven Deadly Sins and Benjamin Britten’s Curlew River. The operas provided the audience with an amazing journey through challenges of the human condition.
Both were performed in English with orchestra.
This season marks the 10th for Madison Lyric Stage…and the first in a new deluxe tent on Deacon’s beautiful property!
Performance attendees enjoyed a fringe benefit of touring the beautiful gardens and wildflower walk.
