Library Foundation Lecture will Examine Tolland History, circa 1815

By Kate Farrish

Dennis Picard, director of Storrowton Village in West Springfield, will discuss the history of Tolland and New England in 1815 on June 24 from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. in Conference Room A of Tolland Town Hall.

Picard’s free talk is the third in a series sponsored by the Tolland Public Library Foundation that is examining every 50 years of the town’s history as Tolland marks its 300th anniversary in 2015.

Picard has been a museum professional in the “Living History” field for more than 35 years. He began his career at Old Sturbridge Village in 1978. He spent 12 years there, including as lead interpreter, while researching and designing many public programs that are still offered at the Village today.

With a background in sociology, Picard has also written many articles on the folkways of New England. He has served as director or assistant director at several sites, including Fort Number Four in Charlestown, N.H. and the Sheffield Historical Society in the Berkshires.

Other talks in the series will include an examination of the Civil War era of 1865 on July 15 and a lecture on 1915 on Aug. 19. The series will end Sept. 9 with a panel discussion of 1965 through 2015 that will feature Tolland teachers who grew up in town during that period.

Registration is required. To register, call the Tolland Public Library at 860-871-3620.

About the Tolland Public Library Foundation

The Foundation was established in 1996 to receive donations to benefit the Tolland Public Library and to enhance library services beyond what the town budget provides. Tax-deductible donations can be sent to the Tolland Public Library Foundation, 21 Tolland Green, Tolland, CT 06084.