Weston Historical Society, students launch activity book to help kids explore
WESTON — Budding historians and their families can draw their own farm at Coley Homestead, take a nature walk at Devil’s Den Nature Preserve and research historical figures at Emmanuel Church Cemetery using a new book of activities.
“I learned about the history of Weston and in doing so, I connected to the wonderful town I call home,” said Abby Miles, a senior at Weston High School and one of the co-authors. . “My only hope is that the students who complete these pages take the time to get out and seek more discoveries.”
The interactive book highlights eight historic Weston locations and includes indoor and outdoor activities for kids ages 5-10.
The idea for the book was born in June 2020 when Weston resident Joan Curran contacted the company’s executive director, Samantha Kulish-Fargione. Weston High School 2020 valedictorian and current student at Stanford University, Miles and Aidan Delgass were looking for a creative project and signed up.
“After our first meeting together in 2020, outside in masks on the historical society patio, I knew we had the perfect team to tackle the project,” Kulish-Fargione said. “Abby and Aidan ran with the idea and approached the project with enthusiasm, creativity and integrity. The Weston Historical Society is extremely fortunate and grateful to have been introduced to this dynamic young duo by Joan, who has such love and such appreciation for the city.
Delgass and Miles have each researched four historic places in the city, written about them, and created indoor and outdoor activities to match each site to help kids explore and appreciate the city’s significant landmarks. Delgass then illustrated and Miles wrote the text. Curran and Kulish-Fargione edited and supervised the book.
“We all got together, masked and distanced, and zoomed in during COVID isolation to produce this exciting product,” Curran said.
The illustrations are in black and white so children can color the pages.
“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’ve known my whole life in this town,” Delgass said.
Families are also encouraged to take a photo of themselves exploring Weston’s history using the activity book and to share the photo with the Weston Historical Society. Photos can be emailed to: [email protected] for inclusion in weekly email blasts and social media posts.
For more information and to donate, contact: [email protected], 203-226-1804 or visit www.westonhistoricalsociety.org.