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Visit from Teddy Roosevelt

Saturday, June 11, 2016 @ 10:00 am - 12:15 pm

| Free

Simsbury Public Library  |   725 Hopmeadow Street , Simsbury, CT 06070

This next installment in our series ‘Simsbury and the History of Land Conservation’ starts with a visit from Teddy Roosevelt re-enactor James Foote who will relive our 26th President’s accomplishments, including conservation, and reminisce about his friend Gifford Pinchot. Simsbury native Pinchot was the first Chief of the U.S. Forest Service under Teddy Roosevelt.
Mr. Foote has recreated the persona of Teddy Roosevelt across the country, at the White House, at TR’s birthplace, Sagamore Hill and at the christening of the USS Theodore Roosevelt.  Jim knows most of TR’s speeches by heart, having honed his skills over the last 25 years.
TR’s appearance will be followed by a short talk on Gifford Pinchot by Eric Hammerling, Director of the Connecticut Forest and Park Association. He will talk about Pinchot’s background in forestry and his contributions to early land conservation on a national level. Eric, who holds degrees in History & Environmental Science/Range Management, is the lead advocate for CFPA, working on forestry, recreation, education & trail-related issues. CFPA, established in 1895 in Weatogue, is the first private, nonprofit conservation organization in CT.
A complimentary meal provided by Metro Bis Restaurant will follow Eric’s talk. Chef Chris Prosperi’s  restaurant, located in the Simsbury 1820 House (Pinchot’s birthplace), is ranked in the top 5 in the state for American food. Chris is a weekly recipe columnist for the Hartford Courant and other papers across the nation. He travels extensively each year, teaching cooking classes and composing multi-course dinners, and he is a regular guest on radio and TV.
A tour of the 1820 House will follow lunch – please register separately for that event.
This series of programs is made possible by a generous grant from  Connecticut Humanities, a nonprofit affiliate of the National Endowment for the Humanities which supports cultural and historic organizations that tell the state’s stories, build community and enrich lives.

Free and open to all but seating is limited and registration is required.

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