Founding of the Killingworth Historical Society
Thomas L. Lentz, Municipal Historian

The Killingworth Historical Society arose from the Tercentenary Anniversary Celebration held in 1967 when, after the celebration, members of the Tercentenary Committee and other expressed an interest in forming a historical society.  The group, headed by Jerry Sheridan, arranged a meeting, open to the public, on January 20, 1969, at the Elementary School.  Over 70 residents attended the meeting.  At the meeting, Ella Wood, Executive Director of the Connecticut League of Historical Societies spoke about historical societies and their benefits.  A motion was made to create a historical society and was carried unanimously.  This vote marks the establishment of a historical society in Killingworth.

At the meeting, a Nominating Committee was chosen to prepare a slate of officers.  The members were A. Robert Leblanc, Rev. Robert Snyder, Philip Bulger, Edith Downing, Hazel Haynes, Elise Machold, and Pamela Ahern.  Another committee was formed to draw up by-laws.  The members of this committee were Rev. Robert Snyder, Lewis Scranton, Crawford Paton, George Deane, and James Devany.

A second public meeting at the School was held on February 17, 1969.  At this meeting the proposed by-laws were reviewed, amended, and passed.  The slate of officers and board members was presented and approved.  The officers were President, Alan Beattie; first Vice President Thomas Lentz; second Vice President, Charles Petzold; Treasurer, Josephine Goldsmith; Recording Secretary, Ruth Hatch; and Corresponding Secretary, Martha Smith.  Elected to the Executive Board were Elise Machold, Hazel Haynes, Lewis Scranton, Doris Weisse, Sandra Mank, James Devany, HIlma Steadman, Ida Ryon, and Crawford Paton.  There being no further business, in the absence of the president, Vice President Lentz adjourned the meeting.

The by-laws stated "The purpose of this society shall be to bring together those persons interested in the history of Killingworth and in the collection and preservation of all material which may help to establish or illustrate all facts pertaining to this history."  The Historical Society was incorporated in the State of Connecticut on May 12, 1969.

The first public meetings of the new society were held at the Elementary School.  The Board met at the Town Hall or the President's home.  The first activity of the new Society was to join the Killingworth Library Association in holding an antique show at the Elementary School on July 10, 11, and 12, 1969.  In July, the Society had 30 individual members, 49 family members, and 1 life member.  Individual dues were $2 and family dues were $5.

Reminiscing...
       with Marjorie (Slipp) Tuckerman...

Growing Up in Killingworth

I grew up on Roast Meat Hill at the "Harris Place."  We lived with my grandfather, I. B. Harris, and my grandma, Pena Heser Harris.  My mom was Leeda Harris Slipp and my dad, K. Wayne Slipp.

The Welding Shop was my dad's business and my Grandpa Harris ran the hardware store.  Both businesses were on the property.  My grandpa also had a sawmill "over back" of the property.

I loved to walk over in the fields (over back) and down into the woods.  The woods road went all the way to Route 81.  Of course I didn't go alone when I was little; I always had a friend with me...either Peggy Walton (Kinne) or Evelene Nash (Rabou).

The Nash family lived two houses up Roast Meat Hill and they had horses, which I thought was the best thing ever.  I wanted a horse so badly, but every year I would get sheep to care for or a calf to raise.  I had a dog named Trigger that I taught to "ground drive!!"  I loved them, and got credit with 4-H for raising them, but what I wanted most of all was a horse!!

When I turned 13, my parents gave up hoping I would outgrow the "horse phase" and got me a little Morgan gelding named Beauty.  Then I could ride bareback in the fields and explore the woods on horseback!  I was in heaven!!

Then, the summer between 8th grade and high school at Morgan, Dorie Leekley (Clarke) moved into the Canby's house next to Pete and Gertrude Marcinek, and she had a horse she was keeping at Pete's!  We became fast friends and rode all over the place together.  Sometimes venturing to places that were "no trespassing" but causing no one any trouble and enjoying ourselves thoroughly!

Our parents never worried about us, although we, of course, had no cell phones and never told our parents more than we were meeting up somewhere.  They just knew we were together and "going riding" after school.

Looking back, what a wonderful freedom we had with our horses enjoying the great out of doors!  No worries!!

​A wonderful way to spend one's childhood!