Exhibition Tour of "The Lithuanians of Bethlehem, Connecticut"
RecorderRecorded by
Lynne Williamson
Date2000 September 21
Mediumreformatted digital file from audio cassette
DimensionsDuration (side 1): 42 Minutes, 12 Seconds
Duration (side 2): 47 Minutes, 8 Seconds
Duration (total runtime): 1 Hour, 29 Minutes, 28 Seconds
Duration (side 2): 47 Minutes, 8 Seconds
Duration (total runtime): 1 Hour, 29 Minutes, 28 Seconds
ClassificationsInformation Artifacts
Credit LineConnecticut Cultural Heritage Arts Program collections
DescriptionAudio cassette tape recording of a guided tour through an exhibition at the Old Bethlem Historical Society titled, "Lithuanians of Bethlehem, Connecticut." Lynne Williamson recorded the tour on September 21, 2000.
The Old Bethlem Historical Society mounted an exhibition in 1999-2000 featuring the many Lithuanian families who established family farms in western Connecticut, focusing on those in Bethlehem and the adjacent towns. The exhibit was curated by Bethlehem resident of Lithuanian descent, Barbara Plungis Shupenis.
The Old Bethlem Historical Society mounted an exhibition in 1999-2000 featuring the many Lithuanian families who established family farms in western Connecticut, focusing on those in Bethlehem and the adjacent towns. The exhibit was curated by Bethlehem resident of Lithuanian descent, Barbara Plungis Shupenis.
Object number2015.196.798a-d
CopyrightIn Copyright
NotesSubject Note: Lithuanians immigrated to Connecticut in the 1890s for jobs in factories and farms and to escape Russian domination, settling in urban centers such as Hartford and Waterbury where the state’s largest concentration of Lithuanians are located. Putnam in eastern Connecticut has a Lithuanian nunnery where an archive is kept and festivals take place. Many farms in western Connecticut are still operated by Lithuanian families. Lithuanian cultural practices abound in Connecticut. Tall carved crosses designed by artists Simas Augaitis and Joseph Ambrozaitis once stood next to six Lithuanian churches in Connecticut cities; three of the parishes offer services in Lithuanian language. The long running radio program Tevynes Garsai /Sounds of the Homeland broadcasts every Sunday on WWUH/91.3 in Hartford. The Sisters of the Immaculate Conception Church is a convent and church staffed by Lithuanian nuns in Putnam, Connecticut. From 1936, they have served the Lithuanian community in southern New England, and maintain a library and museum of Lithuanian folk arts. The chapel is notable for its stained glass and a traditional Lithuanian wayside cross designed by Connecticut Lithuanian artists Simas Augaitis and built by Joseph Ambrozaitis. The order also maintains the Matulaitis Home, an assisted living facility for Lithuanian seniors. A school on the grounds once run by the church is now privately managed. The church holds an annual picnic in July, organized by the Lithuanian heritage/cultural camp that takes place there, Camp Neringa, featuring folk dancing, food, workshops, and tours of the site. The site also houses ALKA, the Lithuanian American Cultural Archive, an important collection of books, art, archives, and other materials gathered by several scholars and donors over the years. It is managed by the Lithuanian Catholic Academy of Science.
Additional materials exist in the CCHAP archive for this community.
Cataloging Note: This project was made possible in part by the Institute of Museum and Library Services MA-245929-OMS-20.
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