On April 28th, in collaboration with Madison Historical Society, approximately two hundred Madison fifth graders toured the Grave House in small groups. With board members leading each group with live demonstrations, they learned about hearth cooking, old tools and their uses, what was the likely the sleeping arrangements at the […] Read more »
An Interesting Seniors Program
On April 10th a group of Madison Seniors from the Madison Senior Center, the Strong House, and the Hearth visited the Deacon John Grave house. In the main parlor they listened to a brief history of the house and the Grave family. Afterward a board member and expert on tools […] Read more »
Madison Second Grade Classes Visit the Grave House
Over 250 Madison students joined teachers and parents at the Deacon John Grave House for a special joint education program with the Madison Historical Society on April 3rd and 4th. The program consisted of four stations: an early Madison school room; Dolly Madison talking about the history of Madison; children […] Read more »
The Grove School’s Visit
Our Foundation was pleased to welcome a Grove School class and teachers to an afternoon session at the house. The Grove School is a co-educational college preparatory therapeutic boarding school located on 90 acres in Madison. The group is studying non-profit institutions. Our Foundation was used in the presentation to […] Read more »
Country Day School Annual Visit
This October a large second grade class from Madison’s Country Day School joined us for a fall visit. This was especially momentous since this education program has been continuously running at the Grave House for fifteen years. Upon arrival, the children participated in a morning program which focused on everyday life in […] Read more »
19th Annual Bauer Park Harvest Festival
On a beautiful fall Saturday in October, board members in colonial costume joined in the fun at the Bauer Park Harvest Festival, sharing with visitors the ins and outs of the 18th century manufacture of linen. Visitors were educated on how linen was made, from growing the flax, to drying, […] Read more »
The Deacon John Grave House and Grounds Again Participated in Connecticut Open House Day
For this year’s Connecticut Open House Day on June 11th, Board members in colonial dress provided tours of the house, lectures on Colonial Clothing and a demonstration of Hearth Cooking to visitors from throughout the State. Despite the rain showers, the crowd marveled at the baking and open fire cooking. […] Read more »
Sandra Tarbox Speaks at Annual Meeting, May 17, 2016
Sandra Tarbox is a culinary historian and dedicated teacher of 18th century living history for over 25 years. In her program, she shared her knowledge of the Colonial American Table, what they ate, how they cooked it, how they stored and preserved it. She illustrated how each of these played an important […] Read more »
Madison Fifth Graders Return for an Expanded New Program
After five years it was time to revamp the History Program since the 250 students, teachers and aides had previously visited as Second Grade students. Peter Bizer, Social Studies Coordinator said this new program was the best ever. The ten classes rotated from two programs learning new words like: Corset, […] Read more »
Annual Meeting: Colonial American Food, What They Ate & How They Cooked, Stored and Preserved It
The Deacon John Grave Foundation, 581 Boston Post Road in Madison, will hold its annual meeting at 7pm on Tuesday, May 17, 2015. Spend an evening learning what was needed to prepare an 18th century meal. Sandra Tarbox has been a culinary historian and dedicated teacher of 18th century living history […] Read more »