Saturday, February 28, 2026

2 p.m.

"General Putnam Reenactment"
At the Waterford Public Library
In collaboration with the Waterford Public Library. Retired UCONN Prof. Kenneth Noll will give a dramatic presentation about the colonial figure of General Israel Putnam, honorable farmer and patriot. ​More details . . . 

March 30,
​2026

6:30 p.m. Social
​7 p.m. Program

“We, the Maple Syrup Makers. . . ”
At the Waterford Public Library
David Lersch and Jim Luce (Waterford Land Trust) discussed the method of tapping trees for sap and the process of creating maple syrup. Slide/video presentation. 

April 20 - 
​Sept. 15

2026

8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

“We, the Artists… celebrate America's 250th year!”
ART IN WATERFORD 2026: Past+Present+Future

Waterford Town Hall main corridorMore than twenty-five juried art show winners exhibit their patriotic and local scenery artwork in the main corridor of Waterford Town Hall. Artwork may be purchased, but must remain in Town Hall until the end of the show. Through September, veterans’ artwork is on display.
In the final months of 2026, Waterford’s students will display their artwork.  

The Lafayette Trail Commemoration at Jordan Green
Co-sponsored with the Town of Waterford, Recreation & Parks and The Lafayette Trail., Inc.  General Lafayette stopped in Waterford in the very first weeks of his triumphant 1824-1825 tour, where he was met on August 22, 1824, by a committee sent from New London to escort him to the mansion of Judge Perkins. A 45-minute dedication ceremony and unveiling of the 15th Lafayette Trail marker in Connecticut, donated to the Town of Waterford by The Lafayette Trail, Inc., with funding from the William G. Pomeroy Foundation.

May 18-21,

2026

9 a.m. - 12 p.m.

Field Trips to Jordan Green
Waterford’s 3rd and 5th grade students will experience various aspects of colonial life through reenactments and participatory activities at several sites on Jordan Green. ​In cooperation with the Town of Waterford Superintendent.

May 23, 2026

2 p.m.

Women of '76: A Theatrical Tribute to Lesser Known Women of the American Revolution
​​Co-sponsored with the Waterford Public Library.

At the Waterford Public Library, Rita Parisi will present reenactments on Jordan Green and on the Waterford Public Library property. 

Discover their courage. Hear their voices! 

Read the full description and register on the Waterford Public Library calendar:

https://waterfordct.libcal.com/event/15292496

Monday,

June 8,
2026

6:30 p.m. Social
​7 p.m. Program

“We, the Farmers…” 
At the Waterford Public Library
Our town of Waterford was called the “West Farms” of New London until 1801. Descendants of our town’s farming families, including Ray Dimmock and Daneen Roth, will participate in a discussion. The Dimmock family for decades had the right to harvest seaweed at Hammond beach, which is now Waterford Beach Park.

Saturday,

June 13

11 a.m. - 2 p.m.

Second Saturday and CT OPEN HOUSE DAY!  Attractions throughout the State of Connecticut will be open for FREE tours. Come walk through our historical properties and see what life was like when Waterford boasted 100+ dairy farms, bustling granite quarries, flourishing shipbuilding and fishing industries and clamoring blacksmith shops to forge items for every need! 

Saturday,

June 13

ANNUAL MEETING FOR MEMBERS

Meet in Jordan Park House to elect members to the Board of Directors and committees. Members, please come and offer help on one of our committees:  help steward our historic items, refresh and restore our buildings, and tell us what types of programs YOU would like to see!  

Late July

“We, the Hay Harvesters…” Part one - TBA
Tim Conderino will demonstrate techniques that farmers have employed for centuries to harvest hay for their livestock and other purposes, while showing contemporary methods for harvesting. Registration required in advance.

August 3,

2026

6:30 p.m. Social
7 p.m. Program

"We, the Hay Harvesters..." Part two
At the Waterford Public Library meeting room.
Local farmers Tim Conderino and Rich Morgan will discuss traditions for harvesting hay over the centuries here in Waterford, and explain the purposes which hay still serves. Tim and Rich are dedicated to preserving Waterford's farmland.

Sept. 14, 2026

6:30 p.m. Social
7 p.m. Program

“We the Fishermen…”
At the Waterford Public Library meeting room. 
Local fishermen will share how fishing boats have evolved over the centuries and which fish are harvested in Long Island Sound. 

October 5, 2026

6:30 p.m. Social
7 p.m. Program

“We, the Family Gardeners…” 
At the Waterford Public Library
When people once kept “kitchen gardens” near their houses, women could tend and harvest fruits, herbs, and vegetables regularly, as well as preserve fruits and vegetables for the winter months by drying (dehydrating), placing prepared food in Ball jars, and/or placing food in ice cellars. Sheila Elliott, Phyllis Cushing, and other members of the Thames River Garden Club will present this program.

"Harvest to Hearth in 1850s Waterford"
On Jordan Green
The Dirty Blue Shirts living historians in and around Jordan Green's historic buildings on Rope Ferry Road focus on the Thanksgiving holiday. What did Thanksgiving mean for our mid-19th-century Waterford ancestors? Food, family, gratitude for what they had, remembering those who were gone, and charity baskets for those who had less. Hearth cooking, cider-making. 
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