top of page

Canton Historical Museum to showcase 17th annual Gallery of Trees

By John Fitts

Staff Writer


CANTON – Sometimes fundraisers turn into larger traditions. That is certainly the case with the Gallery of Trees, which is happening at the Canton Historical Museum for the 17th year in 2024.


“It started as a fundraiser for our building fund,” said Kathy Taylor, president of the Canton Historical Society, Inc. “Now we use the money for our building and operating fund, but it’s also become a tradition. People from all over the state bring their families to see the trees and some of them try to win one.”


Specifically, local businesses, non-profits and individuals decorate and donate artificial trees for display at the museum. Creativity is in high gear and participants often used hand-crafted or upcycled materials and decorate with themes that include birds, rubber ducklings, home-made crafts, cookies, chocolates, winter wonderlands, authors, owls, sweaters, the coast, traditional winter holiday themes and more. Trees come in all sizes and sometimes people mix it up with wreaths, painted sleds, or tabletop decorations. In all, there are generally more than 100 trees.


“People are very generous, and it seems like every tree is different,” Taylor said. “It’s amazing.”


Visitors then buy tickets – generally $1 for one and 25 for $20 – and enter to win the tree(s) of their liking. It’s a great way to support the Canton Historical Museum and last year raised $21,000.


It all takes place at the Canton Historical Museum, 11 Front St., Collinsville, from Nov. 17 to Dec. 8 with a kick-off gala the evening of Nov. 16, which starts at 6:30 p.m. The gala is $25 and includes food, drink and the chance to socialize and get a first look at the transformed museum. Tree donors get a free ticket.


“There are people who come back every year and it attracts a lot of new people too,” said Taylor, who added that the event really piques a lot of interest in the museum as well.


The three-level 1865 building, once used by The Collins Company, includes many gems from the company’s history, the town of Canton as a whole, as well as Victorian and Civil War era items, Native American tools, recreation of a general store and bridal salon, a train diorama, farm tools, and so much more.


Beginning Nov. 17 and running to Dec. 8, the museum is open extra hours, with free admission, for Gallery of Trees viewing and ticket purchases.


Those hours form Nov. 17 to Dec. 8 are:

  • Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday from noon to 4 p.m.

  • Thursday from noon to 7 p.m. and

  • Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

·        

It’s also not too late to enter and trees must be at the museum by Nov. 15. Email galleryoftrees@cantonmuseum.org to get details if interested.


Those looking for a bit of inspiration can check out last year’s trees at https://cameo.smugmug.com/Gallery-of-Trees-2023/


The photographer who took those photos, Jeffrey B. Schlichter, Owner of that Cameo Photo Video will be doing it once again so keep an eye out for the link at https://cameo.smugmug.com/


The Gallery of Trees dates are also an especially good time to visit as the Historical Society plans to close the museum during January and February – with the exception of tours by special request – to clean, organize and work on new exhibits.

 

To request a January or February group tour, email information@cantonmuseum.org 


Below are a few examples of trees from previous years.






WHL_01 copy 5.jpg

Valley Happenings

Winter Schminter. Beat the Winter

Doldrums with Lifelong Learning.

Stay cognitively engaged with a course or lecture at Presidents’ College, the adult Lifelong Learning Program at the University of Hartford. Taught by professors and community experts, the program’s 1.5-hour lectures and short 2-3 session non-credit courses include topics like the arts, history, current events, literature, science, and engineering. There’s no membership fee, and students pay a modest amount for only those courses they wish to take.

During the Winter/Spring Semester, you can Indulge your love of travel with a course on Art & Music Along the Silk Road or European Literary Excursions. Delve into Why Poetry Matters with Connecticut’s Poet Laureate, or into the Effects of Declining Birth Rates. Explore the Art & Science of Color or Artificial Intelligence & the Future in Media. Take a look at How Race and Place Influenced Pop Music or Immigration Stories in Film. These are just a few of the offerings. Go to hartford.edu/pc. for details. Email pcollege@hartford.edu to be added to the mailing list. Registration opens Jan. 8.

 

Simsbury Public Library programs

SIMSBURY –  Here are a variety of upcoming programs to enjoy at the Simsbury Public Library! Unless noted otherwise, these events are free and open to all. Please register by calling 860-658-7663 ext. 2 or visiting the library online at www.simsburylibrary.info.

• Warm up and enjoy The Lost Forests of New England by Ray Asselin with Susan Masino on Wednesday, Jan. 15 at 6:30 p.m. (snow date Thursday, Jan. 16, 6:30 p.m). The film follows the evolution of New England forests from the first Europeans to present day and the explorers and scientists who have rediscovered some real treasures. Sponsored by the Simsbury Land Trust.

• Have a magical moment with New York Times bestselling author TJ Klune on Wednesday, Jan. 15 at 7 p.m. as he chats about The Magic of Found Family and his Cerulean Chronicles, with special emphasis on the newest in the series, Somewhere Beyond the Sea. This is a virtual program and registration is required to receive the Zoom link.

• Do you love to cook and try new recipes? Come join the Cookbook Club on Tuesday, Jan. 21 at 6:30 p.m. and explore new cuisines each month, share techniques, and expand our culinary skills. This month we will be exploring East African cuisine. Please see the event page for more information.

• Come play against fellow chess enthusiasts at the Adult Chess Club on Wednesday, Jan. 22 at 6 p.m. All skills are welcome and chess sets, as well clocks, will be available. Note this is not a class to learn how to play chess. Please register as space is limited.

• Join us on Thursday, Jan. 23 at 2 p.m. as we chat with the New York Times bestselling author, Amanda Montell about her newest book, The Age of Magical Overthinking: Notes on Modern Irrationality as she turns her erudite eye to the inner workings of the human mind and its biases. This is a virtual program and registration is required to receive the Zoom link.

• Join Andrea McKay from YDF Center for an Introduction to Belly Dance Workshop on Thursday, Jan. 23 at 6:30 p.m. Belly Dance is an expressive, energizing and empowering form of movement that will burn calories and tone your body. All ages, shapes, and sizes are welcome and no prior dance experience is required.

• An armchair journey to the birds and wildlife of the Galapagos Islands with photographer Bert Sirkin on Sunday, Jan. 26 at 2 p.m. In partnership with the Simsbury Senior Center.

• You’re writing a book (or thinking about it), but what happens next? Connect with Seth Fishman, Vice President and Literary Agent at The Gernert Company on Tuesday, Jan. 28 at 1 p.m. and gain an inside look into working with an agent and the beginning stages of the publishing process. This 90-minute presentation includes 30 minutes of Q&A. This is a virtual program and registration is required to receive the Zoom link.

• Protecting our brains and nature are important for long-term well being. On Tuesday, Jan. 28 at 7 p.m., in addition to practical information on brain health, experts will discuss Why We Need Nature and how history, science, and fiscal responsibility can work together to inform public policies. Cosponsored by The Gardeners of Simsbury and The Simsbury Land Trust.

• Are you interested in learning how to access more ebooks and audiobooks through Libby? Come on down Thursday, Jan. 30 at 6:30 p.m. for Libby 101 and feel free to bring your device (phone or tablet) with you.

​​​​

At the Farmington Libraries

 • Remember When...Conversation Group –Call up your friends and join us at the Farmington Library, 6 Monteith Drive on Mondays, Jan. 13 and 27 at 10 a.m. for our new conversation group. Do you remember when you could get together and talk about the good old days? Or how about talking about the things you remember about Farmington and Unionville? Register to let us know you’re attending at www.farmingtonlibraries.org. 

• Garmany Music Series: Randy and Millie Calistri-Yeh – Enjoy an afternoon of music on Saturday, Jan. 18 at 2 p.m. at the Farmington Library, 6 Monteith Drive. Featuring Broadway tunes, classical music, international folk dances, and classic rock songs, along with fascinating stories behind the music. Find out more at www.farmingtonlibraries.org.

Have a press release or story idea? Send me a note.

Thanks for submitting!

© 2023 by Train of Thoughts. Proudly created with Wix.com

bottom of page