The highlight of this marker was reading the words "Pootatuck River". Go ahead and say it, I dare…read moreyou not to smile. This is a two sided marker from the CT Historical Commission in the familiar white lettering on a blue background. The marker has the same inscription on both sides. It's located on a grassy area between the parking lot and the left side of Town Hall. The side facing away from the building has some minor damage with peeling paint on the top, but is generally in much better shape than the side facing the building that has some serious staining issues. The full inscription reads: In 1659 this area was part of a large tract of land bought from the Paugussett Indians by prospective settlers from Stratford. The boundaries of this purchase, from which several towns were later formed, extended from the Pootatuck River on the southwest to the Naugatuck River on the northeast. The first settlers arrived in 1673 and the area was named Woodbury in the following year. The Southbury Ecclesiastical Society was formed in 1733, when a new meetinghouse was erected. In 1787 Southbury and South Britain together were incorporated by the General Assembly as a new town of approximately forty square miles. Because of available water power, many small mills and manufacturing plants were established here. A railroad line served the town from 1881 to 1948. Southbury, in spite of rapid population growth, has retained most of its rural characteristics and natural beauty. Erected 1979 by Town of Southbury, Southbury Historical Society, Connecticut Historical Commission.

"They took all the trees put 'em in a tree museum And they…read morecharged the people a dollar an' a half just to see 'em" (Joni Mitchell) The Fairfield Museum is undergoing renovations and we could just see two exhibits. The admission fee was accordingly waived for us. One exhibit was on quilts. The exhibits were drawn from their extensive textile collection. These colorful scenes of early New England life were gorgeous. If you ever wanted to know how quilts are pieced and stitched together or if you're just a quilt lover, you will enjoy this exhibit. The second exhibit was a biggie -it drew a TV crew (Cable Connecticut 12) into the room to film a segment. Guess who made a 2 second guest appearance in their piece? Ever seen those childrens books abiut "Busytown" by Richard Scarry? He was a Fairfield native and quite a few of Fairfield's businesses and landmarks ended up in those books. The exhibit is an immersive experience that allows you to select one of his animal cartoon figures and walk through the colorful streets of Busytown. You can teach your kids how communities work, what jobs people have, learn about transportation and all kinds of interactive exhibits- think opening doors and reading things inside the door. This has got to be a blast for kids or a nostalgic visit for anyone who grew up on Scarry's books.

Great local history museum! The front desk had great resources and the exhibits were wonderful.read more

Proving that Bruce K. will review anything, here's a five star review of a rock. It's an…read moreinteresting rock but it is nonetheless a rock. "This balanced rock is estimated to weigh 60 tones. Geologists refer to it as an "erractic." The boulder is composted of a type of granite that does not match rock normally found in this vicinity and is thought to have been deposited here during the glacial period. It has been suggested in recent years that this may be a dolmen - a Celtic ceremonial stone used to memorialize the dead." There is a small parking lot. I do not believe that there is lighting so you'll want to visit during daylight. [Review 1702 of 2024 - 547 in New York - 22725 overall]

I had no idea what this place was until my husband explained it to me and showed me a few podcasts…read moreand documentaries about it. We were super excited to see the sign when driving through one day so we of course decided to stop. Rating this a five star because it was a very intimate and cool experience since we were the only ones there, but there is really not much to it besides the sign and the rock itself. If you haven't heard about balance rock, you should definitely look into it because it is really cool!!

After you park, cross the road to the little red house. Here starts your journey at the ranger…read morestation and an art gallery in one. Art kits and a stack of cushions are found on the porch, and three different Junior Ranger activities --and a unique JR badge--await. The grounds are open even when the buildings aren't, so enjoy the scenery, but remember that the bathrooms are only seasonally available. This is a perfect spot for a picnic, so plan on making the time here! Depending on docent rotation, JA Weir's and Mahonri Macintosh Young's studios are also open seasonally. As an American Impressionist spot, you might find easels throughout your walk, and those artist kits will have you joining the plain air painters.

Weir Farm is a wonderful, beautiful property for a hike, a stroll, a walk or a picnic. The farm…read moresits atop a mountain and dates back over 100 years. There are educational programs and exhibits throughout the year. It's pure New England charm, operated by the US National Park Service.

Beautiful castle Visited over the winter. Worn down and decrepit. Amazing pictures with an eerie…read morefeeling.

Nothing much to see at this moment. A stone castle left in ruins, now adorned with fences,…read moregraffitis and boards. Just a short walk from nearby park where you could park your car.

Ever hear of Charles Goodyear? He founded the United States Rubber Company in Naugatuck in…read more1892.That company became Uniroyal in 1961, and was bought by Michelin in 1990. Naugatuck's heritage also includes chemicals, castings, candy (for a while, it was the only place in the US that made Almond Joy and Mounds), cutlery, and clocks. This is a two-sided marker from the CT Historical Commission in the familiar white lettering on a blue background. It's located on a town green near the intersection of Division Street and Church Street. Dedicated in 1980, the marker is in pretty good condition, with no signs of peeling or fading. The full inscription reads: These lands were settled in 1702 by Samuel Hickox, Jr. of Mattatuck, now called Waterbury. Eight years later he began operation of a fulling mill, the first of many and diverse industries to follow. The earliest school was built in 1731 and the first meeting house, or church was erected in 1781. As Salem Society, the area remained tied to Waterbury until 1844, then its first governing body was elected by the freemen at the initial town meeting on The Green. In 1893 the borough charter was approved by the General Assembly. This charter, incorporating the Town and Borough, was ratified by freemen's vote in 1895. Over the years, products manufactured in Naugatuck have found area, national, and world-wide markets, They include rubber footwear, synthetic rubber, plastics, chemical projects, iron castings, candy, cutlery, clocks, metal stampings, buttons, cosmetic cases, household hardware, fabricated glass components, and aircraft instruments. Inventions and patents of Charles Goodyear were instrumental in pioneer operations of Uniroyal, Incorporated. Several prominent buildings in the downtown area were designed and executed at the turn of the 20th century under the supervision by famed architectural firm of McKim, Mead and White, including the Congregational Church, Salem School, Hillside School and the Whittemore Memorial Library, as well as the drinking fountain on The Green. In the 1700's and up to the mid-1800's Naugatuck has several stagecoach stops on the New Haven, Litchfield and Albany route as well as the New Havel, Waterbury and Hartford line. These stops included the Collins Hotel, which was located on New Haven Road near the Bethany town line; the Beecher Tavern, which stood at North Water and Church Streets; and the Porter Inn, now located on Woodbine Street. The coming of the railroads at mid-century soon ended stagecoach travel here, as it did in other parts of the State and the Nation. Erected by the Borough of Naugatuck the Naugatuck Historical Society and the Connecticut Historical Commission 1980

Who was General David Humphreys? He accepted the British flag when they surrendered to end the…read moreAmerican Revolutionary War. He was a Derby native. Add that historical nugget to the knowledge that pins, silver, bolts, typewriters, harnesses, and hoop skirts were manufactured here back in the day and you have one pretty cool marker. This is a 2-sided marker from the CT Historical Commission in the familiar white lettering on a blue background. It has different inscriptions on each side. The marker was dedicated in 1981 and is in excellent shape. The blue background is fairly bright with no signs of fading or peeling. The full inscription reads: Derby Birthplace of two distinguished wartime heroes General David Humphreys, aide-de-camp to General George Washington, accepted the British colors at the surrender at Yorktown, Virginia. Friend of both Washington and General Thaddeus Kosciuszko, Polish patriot and hero of the American Revolutionary War. Commodore Isaac Hull, commander of the frigate Constitution ("Old Ironsides") which destroyed the British frigate Guerriere in the first great naval battle of the War of 1812. Many brave men and women from Derby also served or gave their lives for their country in all wars in which the United States has engaged. In 1642 John Wakeman established the first trading post in the Naugatuck Valley at the confluence of the Naugatuck and Housatonic Rivers. Edward Wooster, a Milford pioneer, became the first permanent settler in 1654. The land, originally called Paugassett for the native Paugasuck Indians, was granted rights of a plantation and in 1675 named Derby after Derby, England, former home of some of the settlers. It included what is now Ansonia, Seymour, and parts of Oxford and Beacon Falls. Shipbuilding and agriculture made Derby a major foreign and domestic seaport until the early 1800's. In 1833 Sheldon Smith began a manufacturing center between the two rivers. Industries flourished in the making of iron, copper, organs, pins, silver, bolts, typewriters, harness, hoop skirts, tools, and wheels. The first trolley car in New England ran here in 1888. In 1893, with its present boundaries, Derby became a city. Today it remains an industrial center of great diversity Erected 1981 by the City of Derby, the Old Derby Historical Society, and the Connecticut Historical Commission. 154 CT towns done, 16 to go

This is a terrific 9/11 memorial with lots of imagery and meanings. There is a lot to see here, and…read morethe cumulative effect of everything packs quite a wallop. Two seven foot tall black granite slabs, engraved on both sides, suggest the Twin Towers. The black granite slabs, and their gray granite base rise from a five sided pool of water to honor the Pentagon. A large descriptive panels explains that the grasses around the surrounding garden are there to remind us of a field in Shanksville, PA. The metal numbers "343", set in the paver stones, remind us of the 343 firefighters who never came home on that terrible day. All of their names are engraved on one of the black granite panels. The iconic photo of three ravaged firefighters raising an American flag over the rubble is etched into one of the black granite panels. A steel beam from the World Trade Center, the numbers 9/11 engraved on the benches, and the engraved words "Never Forget" on the memorial base, all combine to create a comprehensive and powerful monument. The Mount Kisco monument was dedicated on Sept 11, 2011.