In early December, 2010—Angela Liptack joined Mary Ann Connors as one of Keeler Tavern Museum's two associate directors. Together they provide administrative oversight for the museum, including scheduling school programs and public tours attended by nearly 4,000 people annually, managing rentals of the 1915 Cass Gilbert Garden House, and supporting the work of the museum's 16 committees.
Ms. Liptack, who has served on the museum's board of directors since 2007, was project director for its recent strategic planning initiative and facilitated its successful applications for new grants from the Connecticut Humanities Council, the Connecticut Commission on Culture and Tourism, and the Anne S. Richardson Fund.
Ms. Liptack joined the museum after working as associate director of development for Historic Hudson Valley, a network of six historic sites. Previously, Ms. Liptack spent 15 years working as a consultant creating marketing communications for organizations such as the U.S. Olympic Committee Job Opportunities Program, Steamboat Foundation, and Middlesex County Historical Society.
Ms. Liptack has a B.A. in history, has served on the board of the Connecticut League of History Organizations, and is pursuing a master's degree in public administration, nonprofit management, at Pace University.

The Garden House built at the Keeler Tavern Museum by Cass Gilbert in 1915 was designed for summer use. Its eleven French glass paneled doors and screens were meant to bring the great outdoors inside in good weather and to provide protection for rainy days. It was not conceived for cold weather use. Since heat and A/C have been added, the Garden House is used throughout the year. For some time the Board of Directors of the Keeler Tavern Museum has been aware of complaints from visitors who were unable to hear conversations at Museum functions. But, what to do?
After much research and visits to facilities which have installed sound proofing materials the Museum hired acoustic engineers to design and install appropriate sound proofing. Great care has been taken not to damage the architectural integrity of the Garden House. Would Cass Gilbert approve? We think so Improvements in the technology of sound control has made possible what could not have been done even a few years ago. Sound padding has been added to the central area of the ceiling which was then covered with fabric matching the linen white paint. At the same time the chandeliers were taken down, rewired and cleaned before reinstallation. It is hard to notice the change visually, but we hope the acoustic improvement will please all visitors.

A special room at the Keeler 'Tavern Museum on Main Street has been arranged by museum curator Karen McChesney as a hands-on space for younger children to experience various child's activities of the 18th and 19th centuries.
Outfitted with games, toys and books of the period, the room is furnished with child sized chairs and table, and a faux fireplace. A metal pot with spoons for stirring is provided with wooden food to a make a stew.
It is hoped that children visiting the Keeler Tavern Museum will enjoy trying a game or reading a book or starting a meal as in the past, said Elise Haas of the tavern.
Children must be supervised by the adult who brought them to visit the museum.
The children's room is open when the museum is open for tours Saturdays, Sundays and Wednesdays from 1 to 4.
For additional information call 203-438-5485.