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New Series for an Old House in Essex

There’s something new happening at the Essex Historical Society (EHS) Pratt House: a summer series called “Pratt Pop-Ups.”

The Pratt Pop-Up summer program has been newly launched in 2018 by EHS with the hope of providing “a fresh twist to our guided tours,” said EHS Director Melissa Josefiak.

Nearly all of the events will be free to the public and will include a free tour of the Pratt House. The series kicked off in June with a quilting demonstration by Pratt House guide Ruth Adams, and next author Eileen Hopsicker will be popping up on Saturday, Aug. 18 at 2 p.m. to discuss her recent novel The Balance of Justice: The Utica Streetcar Murder of 1872.

Hopsicker’s novel features a well-known Essex resident by the name of Captain Isaiah Pratt. His portrait will be hanging at the Pratt House on Aug. 18 where Hopsicker will discuss the murder trial of Josephine McCarty and all of the research that went into writing this novel.

Another free event follows on Saturday, Sept. 8 from 1 to 4 p.m. when Adams will return for another quilting demonstration. This event is suitable for all ages.

Also happening through September, the Pratt House will be open to the public for free on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday afternoons from 1 to 4 p.m. During this time, visitors can learn from knowledgeable guides about the seaport town of Essex.

These pop-ups are designed to be relaxed and quickly planned, Josefiak said, which is where the name pop-up came from. Because of this, those who are interested in any of these events should visit EHS’s facebook page www.facebook.com/essexhistoricalsociety where new events could pop up at any time.

For more information about the Pratt House or the Pratt Pop-Up Programs, contact EHS at 860-767-0681 or visit essexhistory.org.