Wilton exhibit delves into evolving world of jobs
WILTON — A new exhibition opening soon at the Wilton Historical Society explores what happens to a community when the jobs around which it was built and the people who do those jobs change.
The new exhibit, called “Wilton Works,” will open with a reception at 7 p.m. Thursday, April 18.
Interactive stations will give visitors firsthand experience with different working conditions throughout history, from the Colonial period to the 21st century. Objects from the Wilton Historical Society’s permanent collection and original photographs will come together to present the evolution of jobs in the town over the centuries.
The new exhibition will also explore the “evolving nature of the jobs and workers responsible for building and changing” the town of Wilton, organizers said in a statement.
“Conversations about work and careers have been national and even international storylines lately, due in no small part to changes caused by the COVID-19 pandemic,” organizers said. “A typical working life lasts several decades and makes up a large part of our identity — the question of ‘what do you do for a living? ‘ being a quick way to get to know someone.
“With so much time and energy put toward working, communities from small neighborhoods to entire nations are affected by the jobs being done and who does them. As work from home and union organization continue to make headlines, the Wilton Historical Society will look to examine what it means for a town when one of its central organizing features — people’s jobs — significantly changes,” the statement said.
As part of the grand opening celebration for the exhibit, a panel discussion will take place at 6 p.m. April 18. The panel discussion is the last in the “2024 Scholarly Series” collaboration between the Wilton Library and the Wilton Historical Society.
The panel members will be Chris Bishop, former IBM Corporate Internet Programs team member; Dr. Kathleen Lavorgna, chair of surgery at Norwalk Hospital; and Kevin Meehan, program director at Ambler Farm. The discussion will be moderated by Nick Foster, the Wilton Historical Society’s director and curator of the “Wilton Works” exhibit.
They will discuss how three different professions have shifted over time — especially with rapidly advancing technology. And they will look at how those changes will impact the future.
The panel and opening reception for “Wilton Works” are free and open to the public to attend. No registration is required.
“Wilton Works” will be open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesdays through Saturdays through Friday, Oct. 4. Admission is $10 per adult and free for members and children under age 18. The Wilton Historical Society is located at 224 Danbury Road. For more information on the exhibit, visit wiltonhistorical.org.