For the past two days the Litchfield Historical Society has been pleased to host the second year graduate students from the Winterthur Program in American Culture.

The Winterthur Graduate Degree Program in American Material Culture is associated with the University of Delaware and the Winterthur Museum & Country Estate in Winterthur, DE.    The program “provides a multidisciplinary approach to the study of American material life with special emphasis on decorative arts and household furnishings.” (www.winterthur.org)

Eight students visited Litchfield with Brock Jobe, Professor of American Decorative Arts, and Greg Landrey, Director of Library, Collections Management and Academic Programs accompanying the students as faculty supervisors.

On Monday the students toured the Litchfield History Museum, Tapping Reeve House & Litchfield Law School and the Pamela Cunningham Copeland Curatorial Center.  Staff members Cathy Fields, Julie Frey and Linda Hocking explained the inner workings of the Historical Society and brought out some highlights from the Society’s textile and archival collections.

(Rachel, on left, with students on Litchfield Green)

Tuesday morning the students rejoined the staff in Litchfield and were conducted on a walking tour of the Litchfield Green and North Street by architectural historian Rachel Carley.  The students toured the Green, Congregational Church and the Benjamin Tallmadge house as well as viewing the exteriors of several other properties along North Street.

(Students touring Congregational Church)

After eating lunch, the students departed Litchfield to continue their week long field trip of New England’s museums and antique shops.