AVON Historian Nora Howard speaks at ENCORE General Meeting

Catch’d on Fire:

The Journals of Rufus Hawley of Avon

Please join Nora Oakes Howard as she combs through fifty years of journal entries to tell the story of a deeply complex man and a devoted pastor of his community.

Having grown up in Avon, Nora earned an M.A. from George Washington University.  She has been a Smithsonian Institute Research Fellow and has written extensively on local history topics.  Her writings have earned her awards from the American Association for State and Local History, and the Connecticut League of Historical Societies.  In 2000 Avon named Nora Howard as Town Historian.

Her fascinating book, Catch’d on Fire, represents 10 years of research.  Rufus Hawley was a man of extraordinary actions and little means.  The Yale-educated pastor served Farmington's Parish of Northington (now Avon) for 48 years, through some of the most tumultuous periods in the town's history.  Hawley prayed with the Continental army during the American Revolution, supported abolition, searched for lost children, performed surgeries, survived smallpox and floods and established a library.  His story will be illustrated with slides from his journals, and from the History Room archives.

ENCORE is a women's social organization that meets from September to May.  Open to women in the Farmington Valley, new members are always welcome.  Monthly General Meetings include outside speakers or activities of interest.  There are also Interest Groups meet throughout the month.  Learn more at their website encoreofavon.org.