Totoket Historical Society Gives You a “Taste” of Colonial Times

This coming Sunday, Oct. 14, you can get a taste of colonial days in a setting right out of history as the Totoket Historical Society (THS) will host an Authentic Colonial Dinner at the Reynolds-Beers House in North Branford. The house, which was built in 1786, is outfitted as a typical home from the colonial era and will set the scene for the dinner.

When the Totoket Historical Society moved into the Reynolds-Beers House in September 1998, the first colonial dinner was held as a celebration. In the mid 2000s, the late Grace Marx, helped to make the dinner an annual affair. Now her son, Don Marx, is making sure the tradition continues as after she passed away last August, the THS didn’t host the dinner in 2011.

Don has always been involved and is an instrumental part of the evening as he is the chef, preparing the night’s menu right in the kitchen of the Reynolds-Beers House.

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“While there are a lot of period pieces in the kitchen, we do have a stove and a refrigerator,” Don laughs. “The menu is fairly authentic with most of the recipes coming from the era; though I don’t think they had Cornish hens–that’s more to simplify things as they’re easier to cook and easier to serve.”

Don noted the hens as his favorite part of the meal, though he did say the squash and apple bake – that he tested out at the last dinner – seemed to be a hit among guests. Other items on the menu include parsley potatoes, beet salad, succotash, pickles, cranberry bread, pear bread, butter and cider with pumpkin cake and coffee or tea for dessert.

Dinner will be served by waitstaff – many of whom are volunteers from North Branford High School – on China that has been lent to the THS for the occasion. Tables will be set in each of the rooms on the first floor. For the first time this year, there will also be a harpist who will play period music during dinner.

Proceeds from the dinner (tickets are $25/person) will be used to help with the maintenance and restoration projects for the Reynolds-Beers House, the Little Red Schoolhouse, the Miller Barn and the Little Gas Station.

The THS is open to the public on Tuesdays from 5 to 8 p.m.; on Wednesdays from 2 to 4 p.m.; and on Saturdays by appointment.

What You Need to Know

Who: Totoket Historical Society
What: Authentic Colonial Dinner
Where: Reynolds-Beers House, North Branford
When: Sunday, Oct. 14 with seatings at 1 and 4 p.m.
Cost: $25/person
For reservations: Call 203-488-0423