Category: Connecticut Travel

There is nothing more enchanting on a summer evening than to enjoy a glass of your favorite vino in an elegant and historic garden. With this concept in mind, the Glebe House on Hollow Road in Woodbury is hosting a garden party on June 5 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. The highlight of the event of course is the beautiful garden designed by famed English gardner, Gertrude Jekyll. It is the only extant garden designed by Jekyll in the United States. In June waves of flowers are beginning to pop in swathes of colors, patterns and textures.

Guests will enjoy a special white wine bottled by Woodbury winery, Walker Road Vineyards that is named, “Gertrude’s Garden” in honor of Gertrude Jekyll. There will also be hors d’ oeuvres as well as other wines, a silent auction and the chance to tour the museum in the evening. Tickets are $25 and all proceeds will support the Glebe House. For tickets call the museum at 203-263-2855 or email office@glebehousemuseum.org.

About the Glebe House 

Nestled in the Litchfield Hills in the heart of Woodbury, the Glebe House offers visitors a glimpse of the Revolutionary War era in Connecticut. This 18th century farmhouse is furnished as the home of the Reverend John Rutgers Marshall and his family who lived in the glebe during the turmoil of the American War for Independence.

Behind rows of produce, vendors and eager customers shop are a bustling hub of sustainability. From savoring produce at the peak of freshness to meeting the people that grow your food, there are countless reasons to visit a farmers market. The town of Kent has just announced that their farmers market will be opening for the season  on Friday, May 21 and will run from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. and is located at 9 South Main Street across from NAPA Auto. The Kent Farmers Market will fun through mid.-October.

In addition to the local farms who provide organic vegetables, eggs, beef, flowers, honey and more, this year we welcome an exciting array of new vendors to Kent! At this season’s market you will find locally brewed beer, plants & flowers, prepared foods, baked goods, herbal body products and more locally grown food and crafted creations than ever before! Kent Farmers Market manager Lise Goedewaagen stated “The Kent Farmers Market is a great way to kick off your weekend. People love the convenience of stopping in on Friday afternoon and picking up all the local products they need for a terrific weekend.”

A regular trip to a farmers market is one of the best ways to connect with where your food comes from. Meeting and talking to farmers and food artisans is a great opportunity to learn more about how food is produce. The fruits and vegetables you buy at a farmers market are allowed to ripen naturally making them some of the freshest and tastiest available. There is no sitting in storage or long distance shipping, this is as real as it gets, fresh from the farm. This outdoor market is spread out and held in the fresh air making safety and social distancing effortless.

The Torrington Historical Society will host the second virtual program in a series of three staff-presented talks on Wednesday, May 19th at 6:30 pm. This program is FREE to the public and is sponsored by CT Humanities.

“Black Friday: The Flood of 1955 in Torrington” will be presented by Torrington Historical Society Executive Director, Mark McEachern. This illustrated presentation is based on the Society’s extensive collection of photographs of the flood and its aftermath. Of special interest will be a selection of human interest photos taken by professional photographer James Miller of Torrington. To register, visit the Society’s home page, www.torringtonhistoricalsociety.org

Early in the morning of August 19, 1955, the Naugatuck River unleashed the force of its overflowing waters on Torrington, then a city of 29,000. As residents slept, torrents of water poured through the city taking with it trees, boulders, debris, machinery, automobiles, bridges, houses – anything in its path. What followed would be hours filled with panic and fear, terror and loss. In the end, Torrington sustained its worst disaster on record. Seven lives were lost, 20 homes and 28 firms destroyed, not to mention the extensive damage to homes, businesses and industries. But, in a spirit not seen before or since, people came together, helped their neighbors and with the aid of state and federal services, rebuilt their city. Discover the story of the flood, the aftermath, and the work to rebuild Torrington.

The next virtual program will take place on Wednesday, June 16th at 6:30 pm. “What’s in a Name: The History of Torrington Streets”, will be presented by Gail Kruppa, Assistant Director/Curator. To learn more about the Torrington Historical Society please visit www.torringtonhistoricalsociety.org.

When people think of Native American hunting tools, bows and arrows are among the first things that spring to mind, and with good reason. Just about every Native American community had some form of a bow and arrow. What many people don’t know is that for thousands of years, many Native Americans used a different type of hunting tool. The atlatl is a dart thrower that allows hunters to throw a dart or spear farther and faster than by hand alone.

On Saturday, May 22 the Institute for American Indian Studies in Washington, Connecticut will be hosting an in-person Atlatl Workshop from 12 noon to 2 p.m. and from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. that will highlight the many uses of this ancient technology, how to make your own atlatl, and how to throw it. Essentially an atlatl is a dart thrower that allows hunters to throw a dart or arrow farther and faster than by hand alone.

If you like to make things with your hands, and throwing sports, don’t miss this intriguing workshop. Participants will learn about the history of the atlatl, one of the first true weapon technologies developed by cultures from all over the world. Different designs of this useful ancient tool that is both a projectile and launching device used by Native Americans will be a highlight. Under the guidance of the Institute’s Educator, Susan Scherf, participants will learn about the different designs of the atlatl before making their own atlatl and dart.

The fun really begins when participants learn how to use their newly made atlatl and seeing how much farther their dart travels. The atlatl session ends with a friendly atlatl throwing competition. If you become an atlatl fan, you might end up competing in atlatl competitions that are held throughout the world!

There are two time slots for this workshop, one at 12 noon to 2 p.m. and the next one is at 2 pm. – 4 p.m. The Atlatl Workshop is $30 for members of the Institute and $40 for non-members and, an adult must accompany participants under 18. To reserve your spot for this fun and educational workshop https://www.iaismuseum.org/event/atlatl-making-workshop-in-person or call 860-868-0518 or email general@iaismuseum.org. Masks and social distancing are required.

About the Atlatl

An atlatl is one of humankind’s first mechanical inventions that preceded the bow and arrow in most parts of the world. Basically, an atlatl is a type of lever that was used to throw a spear farther and faster towards the quarry. The word atlatl comes from the Nahuatl language of the Aztecs who were using them when the Spanish arrived in the 1500s.

According to the World Atlatl Association, early people in the Americas used atlatls to hunt mammoths and mastodons around 11,000 years ago. Much later, a variety of atlatl types were used in different parts of North America. 

Atlatls continued to be used alongside bows and arrows by many Native Americans after the introduction of the bow.

Typically the projectile point or spear point was made of stone such as chert using a process known as flint knapping. The point was attached to a wooden shaft made of hardwood such as ash, hickory, oak, cedar, walnut, or birch.

In time, an atlatl weight was added to the spear thrower as a counter-balance. Weights became more stylized and ornate using fine stone like banded slate to make each piece a unique work of art.

About The Institute for American Indian Studies (IAIS)

Located on 15 woodland acres the IAIS preserves and educates through archeology, research, exhibitions, and programs. We have an outdoor replicated 16th c. Algonkian Village, the award winning Wigwam Escape and a Museum with temporary and permanent displays of authentic artifacts from prehistory to the present that allows visitors to foster a new understanding of the world and the history and culture of Native Americans. The Institute for American Indian Studies is located on 38 Curtis Road in Washington Connecticut.