Literary Giant to Inspire Young Writers in Second Competition at the Lockwood-Mathews Mansion Museum

The Lockwood-Mathews Mansion Museum is launching its second writing competition, The Lockwood-Mathews Mansion Museum/Ernest Hemingway/Young Writers’ Competition, which will be part of the Museum’s 2015 Education Program. The Museum’s objective is to continue to establish this vibrant educational program in Norwalk’s public schools and other Fairfield County communities. City of Norwalk’s Interim Superintendent Dr. James A. Connelly endorsed the program and said he will help in any way he can to ensure its success.

“The Young Writers’ Competition at the Mansion allows our youth to learn about life during the Victorian Era while developing their comprehension and writing skills. A win-win on several levels!” said Patsy Brescia, LMMM Chairman of the Board of Trustees.

In 2014, students who joined the competition were asked to write a mystery exploring the Mansion’s general history; this year, however, Museum educators will be asking third and eighth graders to focus on the unsung protagonists of this National Historic Landmark, the dozens of workers and domestic servants that contributed to the construction of the mansion and well-being of the household during the Lockwood and Mathews eras. This competition will be connected to the opening of the Mansion’s Servants Quarters, where students will explore the Mansion’s history, artistic legacy, and technology, as well as mid-to late 19th century issues relating to immigration, social justice, the role of women in the workplace, and more.

By having the opportunity to partner with the Ernest Hemingway name and trademark, LMMM hopes to give participants in this program inspiration, increased educational productivity and opportunities that may advance their career as students. “The Board of Trustees and I are thrilled to have the opportunity to partner with the representatives of this literary giant” said Susan Gilgore, LMMM Executive Director. “We hope that Hemingway’s iconic name and memorable stories will heighten this competition’s visibility and serve as a major inspiration for all students who will choose to participate.”

The competition will culminate with an awards presentation with prizes to the top three, third and eighth grade students, and featuring Jennifer Pustz, author of Voices from the Back Stairs. In addition to prizes, competition winners will be able to meet and speak to a “published author” and successful non-profit director, and attend her lecture held on October 4, 2015, the same day of the awards presentation.

For more information on the competition and the Education Program please visit our website at www.lockwoodmathewsmansion.com or call 203-838-9799, ext. 4 or email info@lockwoodmathewsmansion.com. Limited availability based on a first come, first serve basis.

The Museum’s 2015 cultural and educational programs are made possible in part by generous funding from LMMM’s Founding Patrons: The Estate of Cynthia Clark Brown; The Museum’s Distinguished Benefactors: Klaff’s, Xerox Foundation and The Maurice Goodman Foundation. The Museum’s Education Program is made possible in part by Fairfield County’s Community Foundation and HealthyCT.