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 »
Country Day Second-Graders Visit Grave House
Following an annual tradition, two Country Day School classes of second grade students with their teachers and parents enjoyed a visit to the historic Grave property. Docents in period dress guided the students through the history of the House, asking questions along the way. Students showcased their knowledge from their […] Read more »
Colonial Gamers Gather at the Bauer Farm for the Fall Festival
DJGH board members in colonial dress hosted a play station at the Bauer Farm Fall Festival, exhibiting the Grave House collection of historic toys and games. Throughout the festival day, parents and children stopped at the Deacon’s play station to test their skills with a variety of vintage wooden toys […] Read more »
Garden Club of Madison Holds Workshop
On a beautiful October day, members of the Garden Club held a hands-on lesson on how to divide and transplant garden perennials. As friends of the Deacon John Grave Foundation, Garden Club members maintain the wonderful garden and wildflower walk on the Deacon’s property. Read more »
Our Expert on Antique Tools Highlights the 2019 Annual Meeting
After a short business meeting, Board Member Tom Lee, presented an engaging lecture and demonstration of antique tools, from the Grave House collection and from his own. He spoke about the unique construction and specific function of each tool displayed. The vintage tools offered a window into three areas of […] Read more »
Another Terrific Connecticut Open House Day
Board Members dressed in Colonial attire welcomed a large crowd to the Deacon John Grave House and Gardens. Visitors from throughout Connecticut, as well as from New York and Rhode Island, toured the house. Docents demonstrated hearth cooking and used displays of antique tools and equipment to present information about […] Read more »
Madison 2nd and 4th grade program continues
The annual Spring program for all public second and fourth grade students is a joint Event of the Madison Historical and the Deacon John Grave Foundation. Over three days, around 500 students, teachers and parents rotated between three education stations to learn about early Madison. The Deacon John Grave House […] Read more »
Strong House Seniors Visit the Grave House Again for History and Hearth Cooking
On April 15th, the Strong House of Madison made their annual visit to enjoy our historical program depicting everyday life in colonial Connecticut. The history of the house and the Grave family provided interesting discussions. Some toured the second floor for a demonstration about flax growing, linen making, spinning and […] Read more »
A New Holiday Tradition
A Journey Through Time – The Lantern Tour On a mild evening, December 14th the Deacon John Grave Foundation together with the Madison Historical Society and students from Daniel Hand High School offered special house tours in the Madison Historical District. Over 100 people participated. Groups of 10 visitors with […] Read more »
Children’s Holiday & Open House
November 30th brought the month to a close and opened the winter holidays. To celebrate the start of the festivities, the Deacon’s family had decorated their homestead. Guests were welcomed into the kitchen for cookie baking at the “Children’s Holiday”. With cookies in the oven, families retired to the main […] Read more »