The Connecticut State Museum of Natural History and Connecticut Archaeology Center, part of the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences at UConn, presents “Exploring Connecticut’s Towns”, a new series that will look at natural and cultural history from a local perspective. The next town to be explored is Durham, CT on Saturday, June 14, 10 am to 12 noon.
The natural and cultural history of Connecticut, in each of its 169 towns, has a unique story to tell. From the indigenous peoples arriving after the glaciers receded and the European explorers and settlers establishing colonies in the “New World,” to the innovators of the industrial revolution leading to the present day, Connecticut is steeped in history. Join us as we explore Connecticut’s towns and learn about the people and places that have shaped and continue to shape the Constitution State.
The second town in the series is Durham, a historic Connecticut Valley farming town and traveling post. Settled by ambitious residents of Guilford and Killingworth in 1699, Durham was originally called the Plantation of Coginchaug, an Algonquin word meaning “long swamp.” Incorporated and renamed Durham in 1708, the town’s location on the shortest inland route between New York and Boston brought many significant people and events. Some of the most notable historic figures from Durham are Phineas Lyman, a major general during the French and Indian War, and Moses Austin and his son Stephen, the founder of Texas. Durham’s Historical District surrounding the Durham Green is one of the most well-preserved surveys of late 19th century New England architecture. Of course, Durham’s prestige as a farming community has only grown throughout history–the famous Durham Fair is now in its 95th year and attracts over 200,000 people from Connecticut and New England.
Join Sarah Atwell from the Durham Historical Society and explore Durham’s historic Town Green, Main Street, and Old Cemetery. Tour sites will include the Durham Library, the second lending library established in the colonies, and the rediscovered Mill Bridge that linked the New Haven and Hartford stage coach route. The Old Cemetery has hundreds of brownstone markers, many from the historic Portland Brownstone Quarries, with the oldest marker dating back to 1712. The total walking tour is about one mile and may be challenging for some. Parts of the Old Cemetery are on steep and bumpy terrain.
The program fee is $15, $10 for Museum members. Advance registration is required. This program is for adults and children ages 8 and above. Children must be accompanied by an adult. For further information visit http://www.cac.uconn.edu/mnhcurrentcalendar.html or call 860.486.4460.
The Connecticut State Museum of Natural History and Connecticut Archaeology Center are part of the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences at UConn.
For more information, contact: Natural History Museum at 860.486.4460