- How does the WHS present the use of slaves by the Chaffee family and more widely, in Windsor?
- It seems that Windsor's colonial history is the subject matter that takes precedent over all other content. What else is there to know about Windsor?
- What happened to Lord Saltonstall's group? Who were they? What were there motivations?
- How were the Irish immigrants in the early 19th century received by native stock Windsorites?
- Does median household income for Windsor's African American population still exceed that of whites as it did in 2000?
At the Museum:
As predicted, the town's founding, it's Colonial and Revolutionary history, and key figures of those periods were the focus at the Windsor Historical Society. The WHS, in large part, presents Windsor history in glossy and somewhat flawless light. There was a display that addressed slavery in Windsor but it seemed there because it had to be rather than for provocative educational purposes. Slavery was somewhat down played as "families only owned one or two;" "they lived in the house, rather than in slave quarters;" and "slavery wasn't an important piece to the New England economy." All points are of course true, but slavery is slavery. There was no indication of local legend and Founding Father, Oliver Ellsworth's support of slavery at the Constitutional Convention for example. There was a somewhat passive mention, within the slavery display, of Ellsworth's belief that slavery would eventually die out (a common belief at the time). But that view can't be confused with abolitionism.
The highlight of the WHS is the Dr. Hezekial Chaffee house and the Strong-Howard house. The Chaffee house in particular has a great collection of period furniture and an interesting room set up as the Doctor's office. Learning about 18th century medical theory and practices was the most intriguing part of the visit. Many of the instruments seemed more like tools of terror than tools of medicine and the common practice of blood letting to relieve mental and physical ailments are two things that make living back then less appealing.
I asked our guide for insight on the Irish question, they were not aware of evidence that reveals any specific sentiment in Windsor. However, that question brought up the idea of temperance with its connection to immigration. The temperance movement and immigration in Windsor seem ripe for further exploration.
As predicted, the town's founding, it's Colonial and Revolutionary history, and key figures of those periods were the focus at the Windsor Historical Society. The WHS, in large part, presents Windsor history in glossy and somewhat flawless light. There was a display that addressed slavery in Windsor but it seemed there because it had to be rather than for provocative educational purposes. Slavery was somewhat down played as "families only owned one or two;" "they lived in the house, rather than in slave quarters;" and "slavery wasn't an important piece to the New England economy." All points are of course true, but slavery is slavery. There was no indication of local legend and Founding Father, Oliver Ellsworth's support of slavery at the Constitutional Convention for example. There was a somewhat passive mention, within the slavery display, of Ellsworth's belief that slavery would eventually die out (a common belief at the time). But that view can't be confused with abolitionism.
The highlight of the WHS is the Dr. Hezekial Chaffee house and the Strong-Howard house. The Chaffee house in particular has a great collection of period furniture and an interesting room set up as the Doctor's office. Learning about 18th century medical theory and practices was the most intriguing part of the visit. Many of the instruments seemed more like tools of terror than tools of medicine and the common practice of blood letting to relieve mental and physical ailments are two things that make living back then less appealing.
I asked our guide for insight on the Irish question, they were not aware of evidence that reveals any specific sentiment in Windsor. However, that question brought up the idea of temperance with its connection to immigration. The temperance movement and immigration in Windsor seem ripe for further exploration.
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