The Madison Historical Society will host several Open House events this spring at its Allis-Bushnell House Museum, at 853 Boston Post Road in Madison. The house will be open from 11am to 1pm on April 13 and 20 and on May 4 and 18.

Visitors are invited to take a self-guided tour of the 1785 residence, free of charge.  Visitors may tour the lower floor of the Allis-Bushnell House, which features distinctive period architectural features, domestic implements, decorative arts, and paintings. These artifacts are displayed in rooms that illustrate life in the house as it was during colonial days, the Revolutionary War period, the Civil War period, and the Colonial Revival era. The house is accessible to all visitors. Docents will be available to answer questions and provide further information. 

Visitors will also have the opportunity to view our Wedding Dress Exhibit, which has been extended due to popular demand. 

Later in the season, the Society will open a new exhibit, “Shipbuilding in Nineteenth Century Madison,” which illustrates how Madison became the largest shipbuilding hub between New Haven and New London in that era. From 1740 to 1891, approximately 175 vessels were built in Madison, primarily at East Wharf and West Wharf. This exhibit, funded by a Museum Makeover grant from the CT League of History Organizations, is located in the Annex, the rustic historic outbuilding behind the Allis-Bushnell House. Look for news of its opening in Summer 2024.

Please visit madisonhistory.org for more information or call 203-245-4567.

Unlock your creativity in this Introduction to Polymer Clay Workshop! This class is perfect for beginners. Join us for a hands-on workshop where you’ll discover the fun world of polymer clay and create a stunning bracelet and earring set. The instructor will guide you every step of the way, ensuring a fun filled experience. Learn how to make a decorated sheet of clay called a “slab” and how to properly sand and cure your creations. Unleash your artistic flair and leave with a unique jewelry set and maybe a new hobby. No prior experience necessary.

Jessica Dickens being the daughter of a mother who paints, knits, crochets and even writes calligraphy, Jessica believed the creative gene skipped her. As a child, she excelled at stick figures, hearts and butterflies. Although she graduated from college with a B.A. in English she never really found her calling. It was not until she fixed a broken necklace with fishing wire and started going to bead shops, she not only discovered jewelry making, but she also discovered the artist she was meant to be. Almost by accident, jewelry making gave her a creative outlet to express herself and she found something that she loved to do.

Currently Jessica works with polymer clay and wire crochet jewelry, highlighting the beauty and rich textures it creates. She designs jewelry by marrying colors and textures that seem an unlikely pair to create eclectic pieces that capture attention.  Jessica believes that each piece becomes an extension of the person wearing one of her designs.  She currently shows her jewelry at Spectrum Art Gallery in Centerbrook, CT

All Taylor songs all night! 

Calling all Taylor Swift Fans in 4th grade and younger, are you ready to have a night better than your Wildest Dreams?! Register for the Taylor Swift Dance on 4/19 from 6-8 pm. 

Our DJ will be pumping out Tay Tay's best from every era while attendees can sing along, dance along, play on the game tables, or find a quiet corner to listen to and discuss their favorite songs!  The MadBarn Cafe will be open selling treats, drinks, and more. 

Our Spring Bird Walks start in mid-April, and run Saturdays and Wednesdays through mid-June!

Hammonasset State park in Madison, is widely regarded as the premier birding area in Connecticut. Approximately 240 species of birds occur in the park annually due to its diverse habitats of marsh, open water, woodland, grassland and shoreline.
We will be listening for bird calls and looking for spring migrants. This is a great chance to learn!
Join us, our 38th year leading walks!

The Madison Historical Society will host several Open House events this spring at its Allis-Bushnell House Museum, at 853 Boston Post Road in Madison. The house will be open from 11am to 1pm on April 13 and 20 and on May 4 and 18.

Visitors are invited to take a self-guided tour of the 1785 residence, free of charge.  Visitors may tour the lower floor of the Allis-Bushnell House, which features distinctive period architectural features, domestic implements, decorative arts, and paintings. These artifacts are displayed in rooms that illustrate life in the house as it was during colonial days, the Revolutionary War period, the Civil War period, and the Colonial Revival era. The house is accessible to all visitors. Docents will be available to answer questions and provide further information. 

Visitors will also have the opportunity to view our Wedding Dress Exhibit, which has been extended due to popular demand. 

Later in the season, the Society will open a new exhibit, “Shipbuilding in Nineteenth Century Madison,” which illustrates how Madison became the largest shipbuilding hub between New Haven and New London in that era. From 1740 to 1891, approximately 175 vessels were built in Madison, primarily at East Wharf and West Wharf. This exhibit, funded by a Museum Makeover grant from the CT League of History Organizations, is located in the Annex, the rustic historic outbuilding behind the Allis-Bushnell House. Look for news of its opening in Summer 2024.

Please visit madisonhistory.org for more information or call 203-245-4567.

Legal Framework for Creatives   
Presented by Bernard Kennedy on Thursday, April 25, 2024, from 4-5:30 PM

Do you know how to protect your intellectual property as an artist? Have you ever needed clarification about commission agreements or how to read a contract? Should you copyright or trademark your art (and do you know the difference between the two)? You’re not alone! Attorney Bernard Kennedy will answer all these questions (and more) at our next Zoom presentation. As an artist, protecting yourself and your creative work is imperative.

Lecturer Attorney Bernard Kennedy is a Roger Williams University School of Law graduate. 

Attorney Kennedy discovered he wanted to become a lawyer while managing a local music group in his early twenties. He remembers researching topics like how to copyright a song,  standard terms for record label contracts, and registering and securing copyrights and trademarks. 

In 2023, Bernard became a solo practitioner and opened The Law Office of Bernard T. Kennedy III. Today, serving the creative community is at the forefront of Attorney Kennedy’s practice, providing an inclusive, personalized approach — whether working with a cooperative, individual, non-profit organization, or small business.

Let's make magic and network at this month's Business After Hours! Join us under outdoor tents at Tea and Tarot from 5:30 PM - 7:00 PM! Indulge in delectable snacks and desserts, while sipping on botanical drinks and potions alike, crafted to tantalize your senses.
Best of all, Tea and Tarot will have four talented practitioners available for a 15-minute tarot reading.

Note: Please forget to bring your business card to be entered into the BAA Raffle!
*If you have a raffle prize you would like to contribute to this month's BAA, please email: emily@madisonct.com or dawn@madisonct.com.
*15 minute tarot readings are available, first come first serve. Readings are $35.00/ per person.

The Madison Historical Society continues its popular History Happy Hour series on Friday, April 26, from 6 to 7 pm, at the Society’s Allis-Bushnell House at 853 Boston Post Road, Madison, CT. This month’s event features Madison resident and MHS trustee Jim Matteson, who will share his experiences making maple syrup and selling it at Field House Farm under the label Matteson’s Maple Manor.

As Jim says, “Many people are familiar with the basics of this craft, and most all have enjoyed the products of the process.” In his presentation, Jim will give a brief overview of the state of the industry today, but the focus of his remarks will be on what he calls a “sweet undertaking.” From the initial stages of his hobby through his incremental trials and tweaks to the process of producing maple syrup on a small scale, Jim will give us a fun insight into his experiences.

The MHS is delighted to partner with the Wine Thief of Madison, which provides adult and alcohol-free libations for this popular series. 

An exclusive, curated five course dinner menu with selective wine pairings. Join us as we welcome back Chrissy Tracey - Bon Appetit's first Vegan Chef - as she collaborates with Madison Beach Hotel's Executive Chef Kinsler Josaime to showcase her new Cookbook Forage & Feast.

Chrissy Tracey is a first-generation Jamaican American vegan chef, author, forager, and YouTuber in the food and wellness space. She is the first vegan chef to be featured on Bon Appétit’s Test Kitchen YouTube series and has been featured in the magazine. Her recipes and work have been featured in Epicurious, Farm Sanctuary Magazine, Veg News, and the Vegan Review.

Join us for this cleverly crafted dinner featuring both plant-based menu options alongside options for our carnivores. Enjoy selections from Chrissy's new cookbook along with menu items crafted by Chef Kinsler and Pastry Chef Lily.

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Celebrate Earth Day at Deer Lake Outdoor Center!

Everyone is invited to this free event. Explore the trails on your own or as part of a guided hike. Visit with vendors from Peace Love Books to Action Trackchair. Purchase a BBQ lunch to enjoy by the lake while listening to live music. Learn about microplastics. Go fishing on your own or join Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection's CARE program between 1:00 and 4:00 to try fishing for the first time or for advanced anglers to learn new skills. Bid on our silent auction to support our mission to provide accessible outdoor education and recreation opportunities at Deer Lake Outdoor Center.

Use your fashion self-expression and passion to create a one-of-a-kind wearable art piece! Participants are guided to come up with a design and learn how to place their design in a flattering way on their garment.  Stencils will be available to help with design drawing.  Participants learn how to hold the fabric flat and how to add multiple layers and coats of paint to create the desired design effects. Choosing proper sized brushes is discussed and splatter techniques are explored to give the final design excitement and spontaneity!  Please bring a garment of your choice.  All levels are welcome.

Anna Mastropolo is a textile artist, jewelry designer, and large-scale gouache and mixed media painter.  She is inspired by Abstract Expressionism and The Pattern and Decoration Movement.  Anna is interested in painting patterns, using patterned paper and textiles (often hand-knit) to create mixed media compositions, celebrating femininity.

Anna has been involved in 36 art shows since graduation with a BFA from Hartford Art School in 2010, and she is currently in an MFA program for Visual Fine Arts at Vermont College of Fine Arts. Anna has been creating public art and community projects in Bristol, CT before moving to New Haven, CT. She received Art Awards from Tunxis Community College, the Westfield Articulture art show, and the Chalk Walk of Collinsville and has designed garments for the Hartford Trashion Shows three years in a row. Mastropolo has worked as an Art Teacher for the last 4 years, in New Britain, and now in New Haven. Anna’s work is currently exhibited at Spectrum Gallery in Centerbrook, Connecticut.