Albert Walker was a 19th century farmer – and amateur magician – living in Glastonbury, Connecticut. Through his myriad odd jobs, Walker illustrates a pivotal moment in Connecticut history. Changes in technology, economics, and labor during the Industrial Revolution redefined work and leisure, raising questions that we are still asking today. This exhibit explores those questions, using Walker’s diaries, objects, and ephemera to better understand the personal experience of finding and keeping work in an evolving market, pursuing passions and upholding obligations, and maintaining a foothold in a shrinking industry. It invites visitors to think about their own experiences and to use the past to inform their present.

Virtual Tour