The region was established in 1731 as Canaan Parish, a separate ecclesiastical society of the Congregational Churches of Norwalk and Stanford. Incorporated as a town in 1801, New Canaan encompassed the area of Canaan Parish with additional land annexed on the northern and western boundaries. During the early nineteenth century, New Canaan was one of … Read more
The Charles Engelhard Court is a spacious light-filled space that presents the Museum’s collection of American monumental sculpture, architectural elements, and stained glass. On the second floor are holdings of American silver, pewter, jewelry, ceramics, and class. The court serves as a grand vestibule to the American Wing, with period rooms and galleries dedicated to … Read more
We arrived in Stony Brook just as the sun was setting. This made for an interesting time to see Hercules, a figurehead from the U.S.S. Ohio. This ship was the first ship built at the Brooklyn Navy Yard and launched in 1820. The figurehead was carved from a single piece of cedar. The U.S.S. Ohio … Read more
New London was founded in 1646 by John Winthrop, the younger, who chose this shore-ringed “plantation” for its excellent harbor. This land, with its great natural assets, became one of the largest whaling ports in the country in the mid-19th century. As this industry waned, manufacturing flourished bringing an influx of foreign labor. A heritage … Read more
Striking tower of the Mashantucket Pequot Museum and Research Center upon approach. The Mashantucket Pequot Museum and Research Center that was opened in 1998 is one of those rarities in life – a well-funded cultural institution! The extensive planning and preparation and lavish amount of money spent is evident from the view of the soaring tower … Read more
The Hole in the Wall Beach has a parking lot that is a destination in and of itself. This is because it incorporates sustainability measures to allow for water to be collected and diverted from sewers. Interpretive signs throughout the site provide more details about different sustainability methods. The permeable pavers in the parking area … Read more
“These are they who arranged the settlement from which we are sprung. Little except anxiety, toil and financial loss came to them from it. But they were honoruable men: they played a conspicuous part in the great events of a great time, and wrought for that liberty under law which both England and America today … Read more
Starting in 2010, artist Jerelyn Hanrahan commenced a public art project involving the local community in making of a public art project. She asked the public to identify their favorite places in Oyster Bay – which were called the “Pearls of Oyster Bay.” Nineteen selected sites received a pearl that were later assembled in Theodore … Read more
We visited the John Jay Homestead in Katonah, New York, for the first time in 2011. Jay was one of three authors of the Federalist Papers along with Alexander Hamilton and James Madison. His property was on location that has been continually managed and cared for over 10,000 years. The long meadow reaching down to … Read more
The Theodore Roosevelt Inaugural Site, a unit of the National Park Service, has done a remarkable job shaping the visitor experience. The Theodore Roosevelt Inaugural Site Foundation led an effort to raise $2 million for a renovation. This work included reconstruction of the Carriage House that had previously been lost. Even greater changes came inside … Read more