Three-Day Weekend Hartford? Enjoy!

For some, this weekend will be a decadent three days long because of the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday Monday.

And that means some additional special events.

On Friday, the Connecticut Historical Society will open a new exhibit “Cooking By The Book: Amelia Simmons to Martha Stewart.”

The exhibit, developed by students in the Public History Program at Central Connecticut State College,  traces the changes in cooking and its impact on society  and showcases one of only four surviving first editions of Amelia Simmons’ American Cookery. The book, America’s first cookbook , was published in Hartford in 1796. The featured cookbooks include ”Miss Beecher’s Domestic Receipt-Book” by Catharine Esther Beecher, sister of Harriet Beecher Stowe, Fannie Farmer’s “The Boston Cooking-School Cook Book”  and  Martha Stewart’s “Entertaining.” The opening reception is from 5 to 6:30 p.m.

Plans are to hold a “Community Potluck” in conjunction with the exhibit on April 5.

On Saturday,  The Bridge Family Center will hold its 14th annual “Children’s Charity Ball” at the Hartford Golf Club beginning at 6 p.m. Honorary chairs are Peter and Cynthia Gutermann and UTC Propulsion & Aerospace. Proceeds from the event, which includes live and silent auctions, benefit the center which provides services and support for young people and their families.

The state will hold its  27th annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday Celebration Monday at  11 a.m. in the Hall of Flags in the Capitol Building. Three people will be honored: Rex Fowler, Hartford City Mission (Leadership Honoree); Diane Lucas, Glastonbury MLK Community Initiative (Community Honoree); and the Rev. Bonita Grubbs, Christian Community Action (Humanitarian Honoree). The Liberty Bell will be rung following the ceremony.

The Harriet Beecher Stowe Center, 77 Forest St., Hartford, is giving free tours talking about Stowe and the Emancipation Proclamation on Monday in honor of King. Tour guides will also discuss King’s march on Washington D.C. 50 years ago, where he gave his “I Have A Dream” speech. Stowe, who wrote “Uncle Tom’s Cabin,” urged then-Pres. Abraham Lincoln to sign the proclamation. Tours run between 9:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. There are children’s tours, for ages 5 to 10, at 11 a.m., 1 and 3 p.m. They include a tour of the home with props, crafts and storytelling. Information: 860-522-9258 and www.harrietbeecherstowecenter.org.

The Mark Twain House is offering free tours to Hartford residents on Martin Luther King, Jr. Day. Residents should bring proof of residency. Hours are 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.; with the last tour is at 4:30.  Information: www.marktwainhouse.org.

The Amistad Center for Art & Culture, the Connecticut African-American Affairs Commission and the Connecticut Civil War Commemoration Commission will also mark the 150^th anniversary of Abraham Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation. The event features poetry,  music, living history and historical readings from 1 to 4 p.m. at The Amistad Center for Art & Culture at the Wadsworth Atheneum.

Monday is not only Martin Luther King Day. it also marks the start of the two-week long Taste of Hartford, a way to dine fine and inexpensively!

Dozens of Hartford restaurants are offering $20.13 dinners as part of the promotion. More information on participating restaurants and menus is available at tastehartford.com.