Historical Society Event

The Middlesex County Historical Society is pleased to host furniture restorer and gilder, Peter Gedrys who will speak on the topic, “Furniture Finishes, Past and Present,” on Tuesday, October 22 at 7:00 pm at the General Joseph Mansfield House, 151 Main Street, Middletown. He will provide a timeline of finishes from the 18^th century to the present day debunking the overused phrase, “original finish.” The illustrated talk will include the media, materials, and application techniques commonly employed by furniture and cabinet makers, both past and present. The myths associated with antique furniture and perpetuated over time will also be discussed.

Peter Gedrys is the owner of Architectural Finishes and has been a furniture restorer and gilder for 25 years. His resume includes furniture and artifacts of American and Continental origin spanning four centuries. His love of color and texture is not confined to his shop; he is also an avid gardener. Gedrys has written numerous articles for Fine Woodworking magazine and maintains a lecture and teaching schedule throughout the country. You can find out more by going to www.petergedrys.com/.

The General Joseph Mansfield House, the headquarters of the Middlesex County Historical Society is handicap accessible. Admission to the program is $5.00 for the general public and $4.00 for members. Current exhibits at the Mansfield House are, Hard & Stirring Times: Middletown and the Civil War, Within These Walls: One House, One Family, Two Centuries, and 75^th Anniversary of the Middletown-Portland Bridge.  For further information, call the Society at 860-346-0746 or go to www.middlesexhistory.org.