Volunteer Cassie Lang of Westport demonstrates some weaving at the Westport Historical Society's family day event commemorating the 1779 burning of Greens Farms, on Saturday, July 13, 2019, in Westport, Conn.
Nicole Carpenter, director of programs & education, shows Audrey Swanson, 8, of Westport, some techniques for making thread at the Westport Historical Society's family day event commemorating the 1779 burning of Greens Farms, on Saturday, July 13, 2019, in Westport, Conn.
William Duffy, 4, of Colorado Springs, Colorado, and his sister, Bridget, 11, play a game at the Westport Historical Society's family day event commemorating the 1779 burning of Greens Farms, on Saturday, July 13, 2019, in Westport, Conn.
Samantha Swanson, 5, left, and her sister, Audrey, 8, of Westport, work on an art project with their grandmother, Judith Nickse of Holmes Beach, Fla., at the Westport Historical Society's family day event commemorating the 1779 burning of Greens Farms, on Saturday, July 13, 2019, in Westport, Conn.
Samantha Swanson, 5, of Westport, works on a hedgehog project at the Westport Historical Society's family day event commemorating the 1779 burning of Greens Farms, on Saturday, July 13, 2019, in Westport, Conn.
Stephanie Nickse of Westport and her daughter, Samantha Swanson, 5, take on some family members in table tennis at the Westport Historical Society's family day event commemorating the 1779 burning of Greens Farms, on Saturday, July 13, 2019, in Westport, Conn.
Sadie Duffy, 15, of Colorado Springs, Colardo, tosses a beanbag at the Westport Historical Society's family day event commemorating the 1779 burning of Greens Farms, on Saturday, July 13, 2019, in Westport, Conn.
Nicole Carpenter, director of programs & education, in colonial costume at the Westport Historical Society's family day event commemorating the 1779 burning of Greens Farms, on Saturday, July 13, 2019, in Westport, Conn.
Cassie Lang of Westport in colonial garb at the Westport Historical Society's family day event commemorating the 1779 burning of Greens Farms, on Saturday, July 13, 2019, in Westport, Conn.
Adam Swanson of Westport tries his hand at an old-fashioned game at the Westport Historical Society's family day event commemorating the 1779 burning of Greens Farms, on Saturday, July 13, 2019, in Westport, Conn.
WESTPORT — In a throwback to times gone past, the Westport Historical Society, in conjunction with the Norwalk Historical Society, hosted a family day in commemoration of the burning of Greens Farms.
In July 1779, British troops marched through Fairfield and Westport, burning the Greens Farms Meeting House before heading into Norwalk.
There was no such drama at this free event, but instead families were invited to participate in some old-time games and crafts, including a marzipan sculptures and an early version of bowling.
“It’s basically just a family day that we’re doing,” said Mariet Griffiths, marketing communications manager.
“It’s a really nice event,” said volunteer Mia Costanza Wiggers, a local pastry chef who was helping participants create hedgehogs out of food items. “It’s nice working with food with the kids.”
“I grew up here, so I really in what they’re doing here at the historical society to keep the history alive,” said Kathy Nixon, who works with visitor services. “I think it’s important for the old residents to know more about it and it’s important for the new residents to know.”
