Grant for Wood Memorial Library to Trace HIstory of Theological Institute

Submitted

State Senator Gary D. LeBeau today welcomed a $1,500 grant from the Connecticut Humanities Council to the Friends of Wood Memorial Library in order to support a series of programs tracing the history of the Theological Institute of Connecticut at East Windsor Hill. 

The Connecticut Humanities is a private, non-profit group affiliated with the National Endowment for the Humanities. It provides grants to historical societies, libraries and after-school programs that explore our state’s rich history. Connecticut Humanities receives about half its annual funding from the State of Connecticut; other contributors include the National Endowment for the Humanities, corporations and foundations, private gifts, and earned income.

“These are exactly the types of rewarding, local programs the legislature had in mind when it chose to provide some funding to the Connecticut Humanities for another two years,” Sen. LeBeau said. “I am well aware of the Wood Library and all the great work they do, and I’m sure this program will be informative and well-received by the public.”

“This terrific proposal from the Wood Memorial Library is precisely what we look for in our applicants – a well-planned program that explores the histories of our communities in ways that will connect to today’s issues and engage today’s citizens,” Connecticut Humanities Executive Director Stuart Parnes said.    

Connecticut Humanities has awarded the Friends of Wood Memorial Library a $1,500 ‘Quick Grant’ to support a project entitled, “The Theological Institute of Connecticut at East Windsor Hill - 1834-1864; A Compelling Legacy for the 21st Century” (East Windsor Hill is a historic district located in the northwestern corner of the town of South Windsor.)

The Institute was the foundation of the Hartford Seminary, and this project traces its history from its founding in 1834 through to its move to Hartford in 1864 and its re-naming as the Hartford Seminary. The program is comprised of a series of three lectures and walking tour – the tour will visit several buildings that were constructed for and used by the Institute, and a cemetery that was established by the Institute.

The Wood Memorial Library served as one of two public libraries for the town of South Windsor when it opened in 1928.  In the early 1970’s the town closed the two libraries and opened one larger facility on Sullivan Avenue. In 1971 a grass roots effort to keep the Wood Memorial Library open culminated with the incorporation of the Friends of Wood Memorial Library. As a privately funded public library, the Wood continues to provide exceptional programming and collection access to the community. Today the Library operates with a part-time staff of three and over 120 volunteers.