Farmington History Presented in Lectures Today

There are several interesting programs on local history being presented today at the Farmington Library, Porter Memorial, Stanley-Whitman House and the Hill-Stead Museum.

Local Native American Artifacts

The Farmington Historical Society will present "Local Native American Artifacts” as part of the a series of programs on local history entitled "Our Town," co-sponsored by The Friends of the Library and the Farmington Heritage Alliance. At today's program, you can see selected artifacts collected in the 1880’s by Dr. Frederick Williams of Bristol. Items include arrowheads found in Farmington, Bristol, and Plainville. Bob Palazzo will explain the history. The program will be held at 2 p.m. in the Farmington Library's Community Room.

Jackson Labs CEO to Talk About Personalized Medicine

The Village Lecture Series presents its final event at 4 p.m. with a presentation by Dr. Edison Liu, CEO of the Jackson Laboratory for Genomic Medicine and directs its new program at the UConn Medical Center. The goal of the laboratory is to advance scientific understanding of the impact of human genetics on health and disease and to develop precision medicine to achieve better patient care. The 45 minute program will be followed by a question and answer session. Refreshments will be served. The program will be held at the Porter Memorial, 75 Main Street (Route 10). Tickets are priced at $10 for adults and $5 for children and may be purchased at the door.

Democracy: An Exhibit of Political Cartoons by Herb Block

An exhibit that examines democracy through the work of legendary political cartoonist Herb Block of The Washington Post. Block's powerful cartoons pose important questions about the essence of democracy and the challenges a democratic citizenry faces, such as voting, paying taxes, meeting civic responsbilities, and expecting the best of our elected officials. 

Herbert Block (1909-2001), the cartoonist known as "Herblock," became the most honored cartoonist of his time, winning three Pulitzer Prizes, and sharing a fourth for his Watergate cartoons. He caricatured thirteen U.S. presidents, from Herbert Hoover to George W. Bush, chronicling American history from the 1929 Stock Market Crash through the summer of 2001.

The exhibit is open today from 12-4 p.m. Admission is free.

First Sunday Gallery Talk: Sculpture in Hill-Stead's Collection

While Hill-Stead is recognized for its unparalleled collection of Impressionist masterpieces, the Alfred Atmore Pope collection also includes a small but fine collection of sculpture. In this gallery talk, discover the eight bronze sculptures by the French sculptor of animals, or animalier, Antoine-Louis Barye (1795-1875), who was recognized for his careful observation of detail and realistic portrayals. Also, view the bust of the Roman emperor Marcus Aurelius and a plaster-of-Paris figure by the American sculptor Sterling Calder.