On Saturday, April 21st, the 10th annual Colonial Day was held at Country Carpenter’s headquarters in Hebron. The grounds were transformed into a 1750’s village, complete with a Mohegan campsite, a blacksmith shop, an old-time schoolroom, woodworking and chandler shops, a campsite of early settlers and a Colonial textile works in a carriage shed. Historians  in period costume were on hand to explain to visitors the history and traditions of Colonial era Hebron and how they relate to life today.
   
   Community involvement included local Boy Scouts, who provided food and helped parking cars, and the local Lions Club, who donated the use of their field as a parking lot.

   Freddy Brehant, Operations Manager of Country Carpenters, shared the mission of the event: “Colonial Day was created to educate and share the history of Hebron, Connecticut, and what life was like over 200 years ago. We feel it is important that we hold onto our heritage and pass it on to the next generation.”

   We wish to express our thanks to Karen Strid for her help with this article.

Doug O’Connor working on a handmade chair at Hebron Colonial Day

In colonial times, dying wool with onionskins and goldenrod gave it a deep yellow color. Karen Strid and Anne Lewis demonstrate how it was done.