Sounds of Waterfalls Herald Summer in Litchfield Hills

 Some people listen for birdsong and look for early summer flowers but in Litchfield Hills, it's the rippling rhythm of waterfalls that herald early summer.  Swollen from the runoff of a snowy winter, waterfalls are at their splashiest this spring, and there are many falls around the region beckoning hikers, picnickers, and photographers with their call. 

Kent Falls State Park

Kent Falls State Park, home to Connecticut’s tallest waterfall, is located right on Route 7 just north of Kent. The stream known as Falls Brook takes a dramatic 200-foot drop over a cliff here, a thrilling sight. An uphill hiking path beside the water leads to the top of the falls, passing through a fragrant hemlock forest and providing lookouts to savor or photograph the scene below. Excellent vantage points are found all along the trail for admiring the cascading water. Picnic grounds are set in a meadow at the foot of the falls. 

 For a show of waterpower, the Great Falls of the Housatonic in the Falls Village section of Canaan is unsurpassed. During planned water releases in spring, the dam-controlled falls put on a spectacular show, flowing over a 50-foot drop. A short hiking path leads to an upper viewpoint to savor the splash. The falls are found off Route 126 north following the signs on the road marked for Falls Village. Dean’s Ravine Falls in Canaan is another beauty, with cascades and slides down a steep 50-foot drop, and once again an easy trail leads to the water. The trail to the falls begins to the left of the parking lot at Music Mountain, the headquarters of the oldest continuously running Summer Music Festival in the United States. 

The scenic trail to Prydden Brook Falls in Newtown parallels the west side of the Housatonic River most of the way. The waterfall begins and ends with a plunge with 40 feet of cascades in between. 

 A choice spot for a picnic is Southford Falls State Park on the Oxford and Southbury town line where Eight Mile Brook runs down from Lake Quassapaug in a bubbling cascade on its way to join the Housatonic River. Romantics can picnic on a rock adjacent to the falls or on one of the secluded picnic tables by a classic covered bridge. The bridge is based on a traditional 18th-century arch design and was built by a talented local carpenter, Ed Palmer, with the assistance of Americana Artist Eric Sloane. The banks of the pond above the falls are popular with both fishermen and picnickers. Hiking in the park is excellent on a system of loop trails through the woods and hills. One of the trails offers a tower lookout with a prime view. Located just south of Southbury on Route 188, the park provides a shelter with water and visitor facilities. 

Campbell Falls State Park

A lookout tower is one of several rewards for hikers who take the loop three-mile Beaver Pond Trail at Sessions Woods Wildlife Management Area in Burlington. The path, canopied by chestnut, red oak, red maple, and black birch, leads through acres of woodland past a 38-acre beaver pond, the Negro Hill Brook flowing through a jumble of boulders and a side trail leading to a splashing waterfall. The entrance to the wildlife area is found on Route 69, three miles north of the Route 6 intersection in Bristol. 

The sound of rushing water guides visitors through the pines and hemlocks to Campbell Falls, a scenic treasure formed where the Whiting River tumbles over the rocks through a narrow gorge. The water plummets down 60 feet in two steep steps, each ending in a small pool. The weathered rocks make an idyllic picnic setting. The falls are found off Norfolk Road, five miles north of Haystack Mountain on Route 272 in Norfolk, not far from the Massachusetts border.

Explore Mill Hill Historic Park in Norwalk on June 5

 If you are up for a historic stroll in June, why not head to Mill Hill Historic Park located on 2 East Wall Street in Norwalk on Saturday, June 5. The Norwalk Historical Society is offering a series of self-guided tours at 12 noon, 1 p.m., 2 p.m., and 3 p.m. For tickets click here.

Visitors are invited to explore the 1740 Governor Fitch Law Office which has been completely renovated and reinterpreted. The new interpretive panels provide information about Colonial life and Governor Fitch. The colonial herb garden on the grounds of this complex is another highlight. Visitors will learn about plants that would have been grown and used during this time period.

The Downtown District One Room Schoolhouse that dates to 1826 and a fascinating exhibition is also on the grounds of the Mine Hill Complex. The "One Room Schoolhouses: A History of Education in Norwalk 1650-1870”, highlights the early history of education in Norwalk using old photographs, original documents, and period textbooks. Both exhibitions were curated by Dr. Daryn Reyman-Lock with graphic design by Scott Kuykendall.

A visit to this complex would not be complete without a stroll through the Mill Hill Burying Ground, Norwalk’s third oldest with views of the Norwalk River.

Visitor Guidelines The health and safety of our visitors, volunteers, and staff are our highest priority. We continue to implement the State of Connecticut's regulations, CDC guidelines, and industry standards for best museum practices during the ongoing pandemic. MASKS • All visitors will be required to wear masks regardless of vaccination status when inside the Mill Hill Historic Park buildings. • If you do not have a mask available, the Norwalk Historical Society will make a disposable mask available to you. TICKETS • All tickets must be purchased online and in advance. If you arrive without a ticket, we will ask you to visit our website at norwalkhistoricalsociety.org/events and purchase a ticket. SOCIAL DISTANCING • We will be limiting the number of visitors to facilitate safe social distancing using timed and delayed entry. • Social distancing shall be required for all staff, volunteers and visitors. Social distancing means keeping 6 feet apart from guests, docents, and staff at all times during your visit. • Bathrooms will accommodate 1 person at any given time. SANITIZING • The Norwalk Historical Society will make hand sanitizer available at entrances, exits and common areas. • We are taking precautions in cleaning common areas with EPA approved cleaning products. Sanitary wipes and trash cans will be available in the restrooms to avoid direct contact on commonly used surfaces. • All visitors will have to agree to these regulations before purchasing tickets to the Mill Hill Historic Park buildings.

Woodcock Nature Center and Wilton Land Conservation Trust Hike Together

Wilton is home to more than 23 preserves that are open to the public and range from 16 to nearly 200 acres. Wilton also has access to open space and trails at Woodcock Nature Center, Weir Farm, and Ambler Farm.

Woodcock Nature Center and the Wilton Land Conservation Trust have teamed up on a series of hikes aimed at highlighting the numerous and naturally diverse trails right here in Wilton. The hike is scheduled for Saturday, May 22 at the Harrison-Smith Preserve at 9 a.m. To register click here.

The Harrison-Smith Preserve is one Land Trust property in particular that combines the beauty of the New England woodland with historical glimpses of Wilton. This property was acquired by the Land Trust in 1974 and is located in North Wilton off of Keeler’s Ridge. It encompasses 23 acres and is abutted by Quarry Head State Park. This preserve is notable for its interesting rock formations and was once used for limited quarrying. Some of the rocks quarried from this preserve were used as building materials locally for barns and bridges. Remnants of the rock walls that once enclosed old pastures and grazing areas for livestock can still be seen from the trail. Today this preserve is a mixed hardwood forest and offers a diversity of habitats.

The free 90-minute guided nature tour will be led by staff naturalists from Woodcock Nature Center alongside Land Trust Executive Director. Leaders will talk about the diverse wildlife, ecosystems, native and invasive plants, and provide insights into Wilton’s land-use history. With any luck, participants might even spot some local wildlife.

Learn About An Ancient Technology Atlatl Workshop @ Institute For American Indian Studies on May 22

 

​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.

Celebrate Mother's Day @ Lost Acres Vineyard

 Lost Acres Vineyard located at 80 North Acres Road in North Granby is opening up this weekend with live music, food vendors, and yoga making it a perfect outing on Mother's Day. 

Photo courtesy Lost Acres Vineyard

Every Sunday afternoon, Avon Prime Meats will be offering delicious delectables at the vineyard from 12 noon to 5 p.m. Chefs will be grilling up fresh food featuring premium and locally sourced ingredients and goodies! The menu consists of peel and eat shrimp, mac and signature steak tips, mac and truffle black garlic parmesan and mac and New England pulled port. Wagyu beef burgers, ground chicken burgers and smoked bacon and cheddar brats round out the menu.

There will be a yoga session with Rachael on May 9 from 11 a.m. to noon and music with Steve O'Brien starting at 1 p.m.

Lost Acres has five acres of grapevines featuring six white grape varieties. The vineyard produces white wines, and rose, three red wines, and apple wine. The red wine is made from grapes grown in California and the apple wine is made from local Connecticut fruit. 

For more information and a listing of upcoming events click here.

The Institute Takes Part in the National ReDress Movement - May 1-9 on the Museums Red Trail

The ReDress Project is a national movement, started by Jamie Black, Metis that has been embraced by the Institute for American Indian Studies​ in Washington, Connecticut, and by the town of Washington in honor of Native American women and children that have gone missing or have been murdered in the United States and Canada. This awareness project is symbolically illustrated by the red dresses that will be fluttering in the wind for an ephemeral moment in Washington and Washington Depot on Saturday, May 1, and Sunday, May 2 and can be seen on the grounds of the Insititute through May 9, 2021.

The ReDress Project will also be displayed as a temporary exhibition on the newly developed outdoor installation, Red Trail at the Institute for American Indian Studies on 38 Curtis Road, Washington, from May 1 through May 9. Over 1oo supporters have donated red dresses of various sizes and shapes. These dresses will be displayed along our museum trails and at various locations in Washington Depot to create a visual representation of the missing spirits of these individuals. At the museum, staff and volunteers will be available to answer questions, discuss this serious topic at various age levels, and provide resources for further action.

There is no admission fee to this outdoor installation at the Institute for American Indian Studies. On May 7, at 7 p.m. the Institute is hosting a virtual discussion about the ongoing efforts to raise awareness about the missing and murdered indigenous women and children and Two Spirits, led by Education Director, Darlene Kascak, Schaghticoke, Tribal Nation.