Unique Experiences

Item Description

For your support of the CLHO, you will be treated to a private tour of "A Chance For Land and Fresh Air" with well known author Carol Ascher, guest curator of Sharon Historical Society's newest history exhibit. "A Chance for Land and Fresh Air: Russian Jewish Farmers in Ellsworth and Amenia 1907-1940" tells the story of some 30 Russian Jewish families who, beginning in 1907, became dairy farmers in the Ellsworth Hills above Sharon. Twenty years later, many had moved down to Amenia, New York, where they ran boarding houses and hotels, turning Amenia into a popular Jewish resort. The exhibit documents and explains the difficult struggle in Russia that led to the emigration to New York and the eventual arrival in Sharon of many brave Jewish families willing to take an extraordinary risk for the chance of better lives. The exhibit also highlights individual families who had a big impact on the area, including the Gorkofskys, Osofskys, Paleys, Lubanskys, Epsteins, Dubes and Shoifets. Also included are photos of the Marcus Family that began farming in Ellsworth before moving their operations to Ridgebury/Danbury where they would later establish the famous "Marcus Dairy Bar Restaurant." Carol Ascher lives in Ellsworth and came upon this hidden history when she heard of a couple of Jewish farmers who had lived in her area. She examined the town's land records, which, in turn, led her to census data and the archives of the Center for Jewish History in Manhattan, and back to Sharon and Amenia, to conduct interviews and collect family photographs and other documents. Jewish herself, Carol has worked for over a year on gathering the information and making the personal connections that resulted in her heart-felt "A Chance for Land and Fresh Air". The exhibit opened to the public on October 22, 2016 to a record-breaking, overflow crowd, including dozens of descendants of the families. People have been coming back to the see the exhibit repeatedly. One visitor posted on Facebook, "Attended this opening yesterday and it was amazing! One of the most sensitive and informative history exhibits I have ever seen, a skillful blend of information and material displays" To learn more about the creation of the exhibit, and about Carol herself, visit her website at http://www.carolascher.net/

Item Special Note

You may bring guests, but we ask that you limit your group to a total of six people so that you all can ask Carol as many questions as you'd like.

Terms and Conditions: 
 
* Certificate must be used on a single day only, prior to March 15, 2017 when the exhibit closes, and must be scheduled in advance.
* Certificate cannot be combined with any other certificate, gift cards, offers, or packages
* Certificate will not be replaced if lost or stolen
* Certificate has no cash value
* Certificate needs to be surrendered at the time of the visit