Friends of Fort Trumbull- October Meeting

State Historian Walter Woodward to Speak at October meeting of The Friends of Fort Trumbull

Most people think of Salem, Massachusetts when they think of witchcraft and witchcraft trials.  However, Walter W. Woodward, Connecticut’s State Historian will appear at the Friends of Fort Trumbull on Thursday, October 27, 2011 at 7 p.m. to discuss New England’s Other Witch Hunt, John Winthrop, Jr., Alchemy and the Conn. Witch Hunts of the 1660’s. The early 17th century was a time when Connecticut was New England’s most zealous prosecutor of witchcraft.   Not only did the state conduct the first witch hanging in New England, but they also executed seven people for that crime.

Mr. Woodward, who was appointed Connecticut’s third State Historian in 2004, will discuss John Winthrop, Jr., who founded New London, and also served as the governor of Connecticut. In discussing his latest book, Prospero’s America: John Winthrop, Jr., Alchemy and the Creation of New England’s Culture 1606-1676, Woodward has said that Winthrop was “arguably the most important figure in Connecticut in the 1600s” He was the most sought after physician in new England, and was instrumental in steering the state from being the fiercest prosecutor of witches to abolishing the execution of witches in 1663, decades before Salem, Massachusetts. Most people know that alchemy was a magical quest to turn lead into gold.  However, Woodward has said that alchemy was “an important contributing factor in the development of modern chemistry and experimental science.  Winthrop’s effort to found a NEW London was an attempt to create an outpost of scientific research in the wilderness.”

The meeting is open to the public with free parking inside the main gate to the Fort.  New members are always welcome. More information about The Friends is available at www.fortfriends.org