Some of the early settlers of Norfolk worked in the mills. Some were farmers and blacksmiths…read more But in, April of 1775, they became American patriots and soldiers as they marched 136 miles to Boston to take up arms against the British. By the time of independence, over 150 of Norfolk's men had fought in the Revolutionary War. Located on a village green where Routes 272 and 44 intersect, this is a two-sided marker from the CT Historical Commission in the familiar white lettering on a blue background. It dates to 1975 and is in very good condition. The full inscription reads: Norfolk In the heart of the Green Woods on what was later the Hartford-Albany Turnpike, Norfolk was settled in 1744 by Cornelius Brown of Windsor. The town was incorporated in 1758 with forty-four voters at the first town meeting. A meeting house was built, and in 1761 the Reverend Ammi R. Robbins became the first minister, serving for fifty-two years. Twenty-four men from Norfolk marched to aid Boston in April, 1775, and over one hundred and fifty fought in the Revolutionary War. The early settlers were farmers, erecting sawmills, gristmills, and blacksmithies for their own needs. Using the waterpower of the Blackberry River, the town became industrial in the 1800's, manufacturing such diverse products as linseed oil, men's hats, woolens, cheese boxes, scythes and hoes. In the later 19th century industry declined, but the coming of the Connecticut Western Railroad in 1871, together with Norfolk's natural beauty contributed to the growth of a thriving summer colony. Largely through the efforts of the Battell and Eldridge families, Norfolk has been a center of culture since the establishment of the Norfolk Library in 1888 and the Litchfield County Choral Union in 1899. The Stoeckel Estate and its famous Music Shed, often visited by many of the world's greatest musical artists, is now the home of the Yale Summer School of Music and Art. Erected by the Town of Norfolk the Norfolk Historic District Commission and the Connecticut Historical Commission 1975

This plaque on the lawn in front of the Simsbury Library marks the birthplace of Simsbury native…read moreGifford Pinchot. Who was he? He dedicated his life to American conservation and forestry, and in 1905 President Theodore Roosevelt appointed him as the first Chief of the United States Forest Service. He also served two terms as Governor of Pennsylvania. The plaque's lengthy inscription reads: Gifford Pinchot Birthplace Gifford Pinchot (1865 - 1946) was for more than 50 years a staunch advocate of forestry and conservation in the United States. He was born on this site on August 11, 1865 to James Wallace Pinchot and Mary Jane Eno; his maternal grandparents were natives of Simsbury. Gifford Pinchot was founder and first president of the Society of American Foresters, served President Theodore Roosevelt as the first Chief of the USDA Forest Service, with his family helped establish the Yale School of Forestry, became Pennsylvania's Commissioner of Forestry, was a principal in creating the National association of State Foresters, and was a two-term Governor of Pennsylvania. Dedication August 11, 2000 In the centennial year of the founding of the society of American Foresters, and on the one-hundred and thirty-fifth anniversary of his birth, this monument is dedicated to the memory and legacy of this pioneering forester. This monument was made possible by the Society of American Foresters and its New England Society, Divisions and Chapters, National Association of State Foresters Foundation, Pinchot Institute for Conservation, Connecticut Urban Forest Council, Yale School of Forestry and Environmental Studies, USDA Forest Service-Grey Towers Historical Site, Connecticut Forest and Park Association, and the Pinchot and Eno families

"The moon is big and yellow And the stars are all a' glow…read moreFrom the bridge, I see reflections In the waters far below" (Dolly Parton) The Upper Sheffield Covered Bridge was built in 1999 as close to a stick-by-stick replacement (as close as modern engineering standards would allow) of the original 1832 bridge that was destroyed in a fire in 1994. Some materials salvaged from the original bridge were used for continuity. It's a nice example of "One Span Town Lattice Truss" open construction with a wood plank floor and wood siding painted grey. No vehicles are permitted on the 93-foot-long bridge that spans the Housatonic River. I read that the original 1832 bridge was the oldest covered bridge in Massachusetts and one of the oldest Town lattice truss bridges in the U. S. There's an information kiosk with vital information about the history and restoration of the bridge. There's a parking lot and a little park where you can access the bridge, and a hiking trail at the other end of the bridge, It's a very peaceful place to stop, take a stroll, enjoy the construction of the bridge and a nice water view at the park.

Cool little place to stop - over the Housatonic river in Sheffield. There is a small dirt parking…read morelot and a wide path for walking.

This is a small, quiet park sitting just above the river, next to a covered bridge. During our…read morevisit the river was low and flowing gently. A sign in the dirt parking area, directly across from the park, says the river is polluted and no fishing is allowed. There is however a stairway, of sorts, there leading down to the river where you may be able to launch a kayak or canoe. An information sign at the entrance to parking states this covered bridge is the oldest in MA? There is a timeline from it's inception to the present day. It is now a pedestrian only bridge. Walking across this bridge brings you to a dirt road where people were walking and to the park. A small metal sculpture welcomes you. Several benches face the river here lining the bank. A sign under a shady tree from the State of MA announces the historical inclusion of a UFO event that occurred here as being factually accepted by the state. A big picnic table also resides in the shade here. The grassy lawn is mowed. New plantings have been protected from wild life. Lamp posts are located between the benches. Everything seems to be donated with plaques affixed. One of the benches includes cremeated remains so they are always there, where it happened. A bike rake, trash bin and dog waste bags are located in the parking area. Pups are allowed on leash. This is a small, quiet area. A place to enjoy solitude, take a walk, read a book or share a picnic. Visit for the history of the bridge and the event.

"We're dying to be invaded Waiting for the UFOs Waiting for…read morethe UFOs We are waiting for the UFOs We know that they're there" (Graham Parker) Did a series of UFO's appear in the skies over Sheffield, Massachusetts in 1969? Did over 250 people see a disc-shaped white orb bigger than a football field hover in the sky over Sheffield's covered bridge? Did the Reed family have their car engulfed in light as they were pulled into the UFO? Did the family take a polygraph test found to be 99.1% truthful? Could this have been one of the most-seen UFO incidents in history? The Great Barrington Historical Society, Massachusetts governor, and Massachusetts historians seem to agree that all this happened, and there is a park in Sheffield commemorating that event. The Thom Reed - UFO Monument Park was founded in 2015 on the banks of the Housatonic River by the town of Sheffield where Thom Reed's off-world incident was said to have occurred. A sign reads "On behalf of the citizens of Commonwealth of Massachusetts, I am pleased to confer upon you this Governor's citation in recognition of the off-world incident on September 1, 1969, which engaged the Reed family, which has been established. Your dedicated service to this incident was factually upheld, founded, and deemed historically significant and true by means of Massachusetts historians. The records highlighting the historic event are now officially part of the Great Barrington, MA Historical Society's collection and your recent induction into Massachusetts history." There are benches scattered along the park waterfront, and many have sponsorship plaques from the media sources (Netflix, Travel Channel, Discovery Channel, History Channel, Discovery Science, International UFO Museum in Roswell) that have publicized the story on TV shows like Ancient Aliens and Unsolved Mysteries. What say you?

When we first moved to this area, the staff of the Roeliff Jansen Community Library became an…read moreinvaluable resource. Not only is every staff member I have met over the past eight years, friendly and helpful, the programs they offer to the community are amazing and so diverse for a rural, small, library. The annual picnic, book store, visiting authors, and camping equipment on loan, are just a few things that come to mind. Community service is such a large part of what this library represents. I have never been a patron of such a fine, welcoming and meaningful public library! Kathleen Schell

Nice modern building, but very noisy. Surprisingly, the noise comes from behind the desk. It's…read morelike a henhouse. No matter where you're seated, trying to work, there's the constant racket of old ladies gossiping and recounting the mundane details of their rural existence. Clearly none of these folks have ever been associated with a real library, where SILENCE IS GOLDEN. Here at Hillsday it's NOT.

Gorgeous library repurposed from a former ca. 1800's court house (itself on the National Historic…read morePlaces Register). While small, it is charming, efficient in its use of space, a hub of this small town's life (great to see youngsters and teens in here reading and studying!), and utterly nostalgic. The architecture both inside and outside is beautiful. The staff is very friendly as well and knowledgeable about the building's history. In terms of a small-town library, you can't get much better than this one! And if you ever need a dose of classic New England Americana, Lenox is the place to visit and this library is a great place to start!

An oasis of peace and tranquility in an already peaceful town. Enveloped in two sides by a fabulous…read moreflower garden with benches to relax on the cool interior awaits. On entering the library you'll be on a mezzanine floor. Straight ahead for the library, left for the clean and well appointed bathrooms, and downstairs for the Lenox museum and meeting room. The library is comfortable and has a few.computers that you can use at no cost. A gem to experience.

Beautiful breathtaking! Would definitely come again…read more My husband even took his shoes off and enjoyed the water Not sure about the designated parking area though

This is the famous historic covered bridge located in Connecticut. Artists like Eric Sloane painted…read morethis beautiful bridge. It's built around 1864 over the Housatonic River. There are only 3 covered bridges left in CT and this is one of them. I visited this beauty recently because I'm a fan of history and covered bridges. It's picturesque and there are hiking, fishing, and picnicing around the area. There was a grassy area with benches to relax on. We enjoyed our visit, definitely worth it!

Friendliest staff of any library I've been to, and believe me, I've been around in my seventy-two…read moreyears. They have become like family to me. My home outside my apartment.