WESTON, CT – Young budding historians and their families can explore the history of Weston with the Weston Historical Society’s new “Weston History Activity Book” which is available for download from the Society’s website, free of charge, at: www.westonhistoricalsociety.org. This interactive book highlights eight historic locations in Weston and includes indoor and outdoor activities for children ages 5 – 10. Children and families can explore these historic sites through coloring pages, scavenger hunts, games, and art. The activity book was written and illustrated by two Weston young adults, Aidan Delgass and Abby Miles. The project was overseen by local resident, Joan Curran, and Weston Historical Society executive director, Samantha Kulish-Fargione.
In June of 2020, local resident Joan Curran reached out to the Society’s executive director, Samantha Kulish-Fargione, with the activity book idea and two eager young adults from Weston, Aidan Delgass and Abby Miles, who were looking for a creative project. “We all met, masked and distanced, and Zoomed during Covid isolation to produce this exciting product,” said Curran. Delgass and Miles each researched four historic locations and created indoor and outdoor activities to help children explore and appreciate these important Weston sites. Along with research, writing and creating activities, Delgass illustrated the book and Miles was the calligrapher. The illustrations are in black and white to allow children the opportunity to color and explore their artistic side. Curran and Kulish-Fargione were advisors and editors of the book.
“Researching and illustrating for this book put Weston in a new light, put words and stories to the sun-dappled greenery and weathered wood I have known my whole life in this town,” said Delgass who attends Stanford University and was Weston High School’s 2020 Valedictorian.
“I have learned about Weston’s history, and, in doing so, connected myself to the wonderful town I call home,” said Miles, “and my one hope is that the students who complete these pages will take the time to get outside and seek more discovery.” Miles is in twelfth grade at Weston High School.
“After our first meeting together back in 2020, outside masked on the patio of the historical society, I knew we had the perfect team to tackle the project,” said Kulish-Fargione. “Abby and Aidan ran with the idea and approached the project with enthusiasm, creativity, and integrity, said Kulish-Fargione, “and the Weston Historical Society is extremely lucky and thankful to have been introduced to this young dynamic duo by Joan, who has such a love and appreciation for the town.” The “Weston History Activity Book” is free and available for download from the Society’s website: www.westonhistoricalsociety.org. Take a photo of your family exploring Weston history using the activity book, and share the photo with the Weston Historical Society! Photos can be emailed to: info@westonhistoricalsociety.org to be featured in the weekly email blasts and social media posts.
The Weston Historical Society would like to recognize its annual sponsors: Fairfield County Bank and KMS Partners at Compass, as well as the Daniel E. Offutt, III Charitable Trust. The Weston Historical Society is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization. For more information and to donate, please contact: info@westonhistoricalsociety.org, 203-226-1804 or visit www.westonhistoricalsociety.org.
