Press Release Announcement:

Master Carpenter Norm Abrams from This Old House and host of The New Yankee Workshop

will visit Killingly High School in Killingly, CT

January 15, 2015 @ 10AM

to Congratulate Students for their Partnership

with Old Sturbridge Village

For Release:  January 7, 2015

Contact:  James Hutson, Killingly High School jhutson@killinglyschools.org or (401) 965-4272/ 860-779-6620 sch

We are pleased to announce that Master Carpenter and International Celebrity Norm Abrams from This Old House and the host of The New Yankee Workshop will be visiting Killingly High School in Killingly, CT on Thursday, January 15, 2015 at 10AM.  Mr. Abrams, who also is a member of the Board of Directors for Old Sturbridge Village will be speaking at an assembly to honor KHS students and staff for their partnership with Old Sturbridge Village. 

Old Sturbridge Village is a living history museum, however they had a dilemma when it came to offering hands-on experiences for their visitors.  The historical artifacts from the 1800’s had to be preserved and to offer the use of the artifacts in a hands-on experience could put the historical artifacts at risk of being damaged. 

A partnership developed with Old Sturbridge Village and Killingly High School students in the Construction and Architecture Career Pathway.  This partnership developed overtime and has become an invaluable resource to Old Sturbridge Village and their visitors.

 Students at Killingly High School are reproducing the artifacts with materials from today, but constructing the reproductions in the ways of the past.  They are using hand tools and carving some pieces by hand.  Last year one student made one of the reproductions his special project. Ed Raheb took on the task of reproducing a wheelbarrow.  Ed even created metal components for the wheelbarrow in his own backyard with a handmade bellows, a fire pit and a rock for an anvil.  When it came time to create the wheel, Ed received a special invite to the Old Sturbridge Village Blacksmith Shop to work along side Lead Interpreters to make the tire for the wheel. 

Mr. Abrams will be congratulating the Killingly High School Construction, Architecture and Engineering Career Pathways students and staff along with the Old Sturbridge Village staff for the reproduction of the artifacts.  These reproductions will allow visitors to get a true hands-on experience at the Old Sturbridge Village living history museum.  He will congratulate the KHS students for their impressive reproductions. The original artifacts and the reproductions will be on display outside of the auditorium and on stage during his visit on January 15, 2015.