Arms Talk at Scantic Museum

Chris Corkum, local baseball entrepreneur and retired social studies teacher, will be the guest speaker at the Oct. 30 EWHS meeting at the Scantic Academy Museum, 115 Scantic Rd., at 7 p.m.
    "The Evolution of Military Longarms, 1795-1917" is the title of Corkum’s program, which will cover flintlocks, muskets, and other arms. He will also exhibit samples of vintage weapons and equipment.
    The public is invited to the free program; donations are welcome.
     A Windsorville resident, Corkum is a long-time collector of baseball memorabilia and military lore, focusing on the Civil War period. He is also operator of the Chris Corkum baseball school and camp programs, headquartered on Miller Road, East Windsor.
    Corkum played American Legion and high school baseball in Enfield and then at Providence College. After earning his master’s degree from Springfield College in 1974, he began teaching and coaching at East Windsor and other area schools. He also played in the Hartford Twilight League, later switching to the Tri-County Baseball League, where he set records for player longevity,  number of hits, most games played in a row, and other feats. He has also coached and managed teams in the league.
    Several years ago, Corkum started his own baseball enterprise, offering clinics, summer camps, and practice opportunities- ventures he expanded after retirement from a three-decade teaching career here. He has spoken to the Society in the past about the Civil War, World War I, and baseball.