By John Kriz
On a cool late Spring day, with the sun struggling, with intermittent success, to break through, hundreds of New Canaan families gathered at the New Canaan Museum & Historical Society www.nchistory.org to enjoy ice cream and homemade cakes, old-fashioned children’s games and the Historical Society’s extensive collection of historical items and buildings at the 34th annual Ice Cream Social.
Accompanied by music from the New Canaan Town Band, which is only six years away from celebrating its 200th anniversary, the gentlemen from the Exchange Club of New Canaan www.newcanaanexchangeclub.com once again volunteered to dish up scoops of ice cream and toppings for eager attendees.
The Historical Society’s many collections and buildings were open for visitors, including the new Jim Bach Special Collections Museum, which features the Branch Family Print Shop, artworks from the Silvermine group of artists, and the beautifully restored circa 1855 Demarest horse drawn carriage.
The lawn of the Historical Society was bursting with an array of vintage vehicles, including 4x4s, convertibles, limousines, motorcycles, trucks and sports cars that generated much interest, and no small level of envy, among people.
Also on display was a lovingly restored aerial apparatus that once was owned by New Canaan Fire Company No. 1. Now owned by former volunteer fireman and assistant chief Scott Ready, it was purchased new by the town in 1949, and was in service until the early 1970s. Mr. Ready bought it in 2002 after it had passed through several private owners. Says Mr. Ready about its restoration, “We tore it down and then built it right back up again. It took about full ten years.” The aerial ladder was fully extended, with a mannequin dressed in firefighter turnout gear at the top and an American flag flying. Clearly a labor of love.
Nancy Geary, the Historical Society’s Executive Director, commented, “The Ice Cream Social has been an annual tradition for 34 years on the first Sunday in June. Held on the grounds of the New Canaan Museum under a big tent, the collective effort is a gift to the community. The Exchange Club, Town Band, National Charity Leagues, Service League of Boys, and many volunteers all donate their time and energy, and Gofer’s Ice Cream generously donates all the ice cream for the day. It is a wonderful way to celebrate the start of summer, explore the campus, see the fabulous cars, and experience the best of New Canaan.”
John J Kriz is a 30+ year New Canaan resident. Opinions expressed are his own.
