Ice Cream Social Brings Neighbors Together

Anyone longing for the good-old days could have found it Tuesday night on the lawn of the King House Museum.

Suffield Historical Society members dished out scoops of ice cream while music filled the air and children played tag around the picnic blankets and ancient trees.

In its fifth year, the free event is becoming a tradition for the society. It was also a good opportunity to show off the new roof and chimney, restored after a fallen tree limb destroyed the top of the building earlier this summer.

Paul Kulas provided a backdrop of music with his saxophone, flute and other instruments.

Wilma’s Scoop Du Jour provided the ice cream at cost to the group for scooping.

Attendees browsed the new barn on the property to see the displays of carriages and sleighs and an expanding collection of larger pieces used locally in growing and processing tobacco.

The Society owns and operates the King House Museum, which is open to members free and to the public for $1 on Wednesday and Saturday afternoons from May through September. Built in 1764 by Dr. Alexander King, the museum is home to many collections of period furniture and Suffield tobacco history.

The Historical Society has more than 250 members who share an interest in American history in general and New England history in particular. Meetings are held at the Kent Memorial Library on the third Wednesday of the month from September to November and March to June for lectures, historical entertainments and other programs. The public is always invited.