Madison Lyric Stage presented its third offering for 2021 under an open-air tent on the beautiful grounds of the Deacon John Grave House. Puccini’s Suor Angelica and Schhoenberg’s Erwartung treated the audience to the musical double bill. Attendees raved about this production and will anxiously await the 2022 season and […] Read more »
Tony Award-Winning Drama Comes to Deacon John Grave House!
Madison Lyric Stage Company performed the landmark play, The Boys in the Band, eight times from July 22 to August 1. The actors showcased this stellar production under a tent on the Grave House grounds, as the company’s second offering of its theater season. The Boys in the Band focuses on a […] Read more »
Hometown 4th of July Parade Returns
After a year without July 4th activities, a parade returned to Madison’s main street with record crowds stretched along the entire parade route. A vintage car, sporting signage with “Deacon John Grave 1685”, passed the Grave House with flair and a wave. A variety of participants numbered among the marchers… […] Read more »
Deacon John’s Family Members Visit the Old Homestead
Although the Deacon’s House has rested quietly during the pandemic, it opened up on July 8th, a Grave House board member showcased the home to visiting family members. Melanie Graves Lopez from Oregon joined Michael D. Graves from Maine for the tour. Read more »
Deacon John Grave House Resumes Events with the Initial Production of Madison Lyric Stage
Madison Lyric Stage 2021 Season has three productions on the grounds of the Grave House. Public performances resumed on June 11, 12 and 13 with four sold-out concerts. They featured a talented cast of 14 singers interpreting the songs of Pulitzer and Tony Award-winning composer Stephen Sondheim. Read more »
History of Slaves at the Deacon John Grave House
Video: First recorded use of slaves in Madison As part of St. Andrew’s series on Racial Healing, Justice, and Reconciliation, Terry Roberts, President of the Deacon John Graves Foundation, shared his research about the first recorded use of slaves in Madison, CT, as taken from the journals recorded by generations […] Read more »
For These Strangest of Times
We decided to put up the Holiday wreath which gives our House a welcome and warm feeling in this strangest of times. So less strange now. Read more »
Members’ Annual Holiday Party
Members found the Deacon John Grave House warm and cozy for the annual holiday party, hosted by the Foundation to welcome 2020 and in appreciation for membership support during the past year. Everyone enjoyed a variety of beverages and appetizers, while listening to the fine music of Rick and Jim, […] Read more »
Holiday Lantern Night Tour 2019
The Madison Historical Society’s second Holiday Lantern Tour attracted an estimated 150 participants for visits to decorated homes around the Madison Green. This year the theme reflected the Civil War era in Madison, circa 1862. Groups of twenty departed every 30 minutes for the 90-minute presentation, featuring eight brief stops. Along […] Read more »
A Large Crowd Joined the Deacon’s Friends for Their Sixth Annual Children’s Holiday Event
Decorated for the season, the Deacon John Grave House set the perfect scene to create old fashioned winter memories. Children, parents, and friends enjoyed an afternoon of cookie making and chestnut roasting at the hearth. Live music and storytelling entertained visitors, while they savored holiday refreshment. Read more »