Between 2012 and 2015, the Library of Congress commissioned acclaimed documentary photographer Carol M. Highsmith to travel Connecticut in order to permanently capture images of the state’s iconic places and cultural treasures as they appeared at the beginning of the 21st century. Highsmith asked state historian emeritus Walter W. Woodward to help her identify Connecticut’s must-see sites and to collaborate with her on a book produced as part of the project.
In “What Makes Connecticut, Connecticut,” Woodward uses some of those exquisite Highsmith images along with a powerful story that is coupled with moving and evocative songs from the past and present to describe the look, feel, and unique character of one of America’s first – and most original – states.
Accompanying Woodward for this presentation is the acoustic “Band of Steady Habits” who came together in 2014 to share their love of music and use their talents to help create a new kind of public history presentation. Rachel Smith, Teagan Smith, Jeremy Teitelbaum and Duke York, along with Walt Woodward, use banjo, guitars, violin, recorders, bass, percussion, and beautiful harmonies to perform songs – some old, some original, and some contemporary – to accompany visually rich and evocative historical stories.
Free and open to the public, we hope that you’ll join us for this very special presentation which is sure to both educate and entertain!