Nellie McKnight Museum Hosts Ellington High School Students

The Ellington Historical Society played host on March 24 and 25 to nearly 100 Ellington High School students from art teacher Katherine Lanz's ceramic classes at the Nellie McKnight Museum. Ms. Lanz and the Ellington Historical Society share the goal of encouraging youth to explore the rich history of the Ellington Community. The Ellington Historical Society was incredibly encouraged with the positive reaction from the students and are continuing the planning of additional programs focused on youth. The high school students were incredibly mature, respectful, and engaged in the activities and tour.

The high school students walked down from the high school, with scavenger map in tow, looking for information that Ms. Lanz carefully planned out. First stop, meeting up with First Selectwoman, Lori Spielman. Ms. Lanz said her students loved meeting Ms. Spielman in person, and they just loved her office...which they all managed to squeeze into. After a first hand look at “The Big Book,” which contains all the town projects and services in the yearly budget, the students were off to their second stop, the Nellie McKnight Museum across the street.

The Ceramics classes were greeted by newly appointed President, Mark Maciolek. Mr. Maciolek reminded the students that they were experiencing a “first” for the Nellie McKnight Museum and that the Historical Society welcomes them and encourages them to become involved in their town’s history. Maciolek shared that he remembers, like yesterday, walking from Center School to the Hall Memorial Library, to listen to Nellie McKnight read stories each week on the grand staircase in the original library. He also encouraged the students to get involved by offering many volunteer opportunities in the future.

The students also listened to Nellie McKnight Curator and Historian, Nancy Long and her husband Jim. Nancy briefed the students on the history of the property and what to expect just before the students were encouraged to roam throughout the home. One highlight for the students was when Nancy found herself in a familiar place, nestled upstairs behind the turn of the century loom showing the students the lost art of textile weaving.

President Maciolek was impressed with each group and the youthful enthusiasm they brought with their visit, “On behalf of The Ellington Historical Society...I would like to offer you honorary membership.” Ms. Lanz said the students were very excited and were looking forward to creating, using their own cell phones, iPads, and computers, everything from iMovies to Powerpoints to help showcase their experience beyond the ceramic project that was inspired by their tour of the three landmarks.

Following the visit to the museum, the students left to go visit another Ellington Center landmark, the Hall Memorial Library and Ms. Susan Phillips.

Ellington Historical Society is seeking volunteers and members. Saturday March 7th at 10:00 a.m. work will begin on the converting the outbuilding located on the rear of the property, into a farm exhibit that showcases the hard working heritage of so many of our Ellington families. Volunteers are asked to dress warm, wear boots, along with protective waterproof gloves. If you can, please bring your 5 gallon pails, soft brushes, old rags, and of course your enthusiasm for helping to restore precious items from our past.

Ellington High School students looking for volunteer hours, along with anyone who has a love of history are welcome. Many hands make light work.

Thursday March 26th at 6:30 p.m. is the next meeting of the Board of Directors in the upstairs meeting room of the library. All Ellington Historical Society members are welcome to attend.

Contact the Ellington Historical Society at ellingtonhistoricalsociety@gmail.com for additional information or questions.