Susan Gilgore, executive director of the Lockwood-Mathews Mansion Museum in Norwalk, traveled recently to Hartford to make a case for support for the humanities and for the Connecticut Humanities Council ”” called CT Humanities ”” which is a resource for educators, grants and literature programs. She was accompanied by Brian Fischer, the museum”™s facilities and volunteer coordinator. Her remarks follow:
“I would like to thank Rep. Walker and this esteemed Appropriations Committee for giving me the opportunity to speak in support of the CT Humanities.
“The mansion has been a National Historic Landmark since 1971; it was built during the Civil War era and is considered one of the most significant Second Empire houses ever built in the U.S. To put it in context of other landmarks, the Lockwood-Mathews home precedes the Newport mansions by a good 20 years. It was an architectural prototype and a wonder of new technologies. Lincoln”™s White House was not as advanced. Revolutionary, no doubt.
“I would like to touch upon the ”˜Still Revolutionary”™ concept. These are the branding words chosen by the state of Connecticut .The state prides itself in being a major destination and a tourist attraction, and for a very good reason. Among its many jewels, this state features many important historic sites such as the Lockwood-Mathews Mansion Museum.
“The CT Humanities has championed very effectively this concept and supports historic sites all across the state of Connecticut by funding exhibitions and programs that keep our history alive and help the state of Connecticut create jobs; enhance education; and support our communities.
“Some of you may have seen or read about our two most recent exhibits funded by the CT Humanities that I am so proud of: one titled, ”˜What is It? Technologies and Discoveries of the Victorian Era,”™ a huge success, and the still ongoing, ”˜The Stairs Below,”™ which has drawn many thousands of visitors from all across the region and the New York metropolitan area. This exhibition highlights the mansion”™s original servants”™ quarters and explores themes such as immigration, social justice, economics and the role of women in the 19th century, themes and issues that are still of great interest in today”™s society.
“But sadly, like many historic sites, our museum is no stranger to financial neglect. Fifty years ago, our great institution was nearly demolished to make way for a parking lot. We must all remember that the struggle to exist and enhance our communities is not just part of our past, but also must be central to our future.
“Scholarship, being able to offer programs that contextualize our current human condition, illuminating what it means to understand our past and envision a better future in this confusing world we live in, to me is hardly quantifiable. But to those of us in the trenches of maintaining and building better communities, it is indeed the CT Humanities that inspires us and gives us the means to continue that fight. I therefore ask you to please consider increasing the CT Humanities budget.”
