Tavern Life Explored Sep. 12

Tom Kelleher, historian and curator of mechanical arts at Old Sturbridge Village, will discuss “Taverns and Tavern Life in Early New England” at Wood Memorial Library & Museum, 783 Main St., Sept. 12 at 7 p.m. Sponsored by the Library and the South Windsor Historical Society, the program is open to the public. It will feature slides, songs, and a sample of vintage rum punch.

Taverns were as numerous as churches in early New England, and played a large a role in the public life of the community. From typical food and drink to the common topics discussed and kinds of songs sung by the fireside, this talk will look at what it was like inside the “public houses” that dotted the highways and center villages of virtually every town in New England. There were a half dozen taverns along Main Street in South Windsor in the 18th century. Some artifacts from the Wood collections will be on display.

Kelleher has worked as a costumed historical interpreter, trainer for the cooper shop, supervisor of the mills, coordinator of historic trades, research historian, program coordinator, and manages staff training. He served as master carpenter and has researched and developed dozens of historic characters and programs, some presented here in recent years.

Suggested donation is $3 for members of the South Windsor Historical Society and Wood Memorial Library or $5 for the general public. For more information, call the library at 860-289-1783, or visit www.southwindsorhistory.org, or www.woodmemoriallibrary.org.