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There are times when having an live audience helps to tell the story of the Old Connecticut Path. A live presentation offers opportunities to "connect the dots" that may have been pieces of the story posted on the Old Connecticut Path web site or shorter YouTube videos. When possible, these longer "live" presentations will be shared as part of the web site. Hopefully, these webcast/webinars will offer a chance for those who were there to review the presentation AND open the door for those who share interest in the Path but are too far away to attend.
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NEW
Visit the Old Connecticut Path!!
Spring & Summer are wonderful times to come home to New England. The Driving Tours & Walka provide a portal to quieter roads that link historic places along the Old Connecticut Path and special places to get out and walk along the Path. Visitors to Massachusetts and Connecticut who would like to rediscover parts of the Old Connecticut Path for themselves will find that the tours lead through small towns, scenic vistas, historic sites, and forest greenways. The pace of travel is slower, allowing time to enjoy the beauty of the land. Links to places where you can get out and walk along the Old Connecticut Path are also provided for those who wish to get a taste of the world the early pioneers traveled through.
Click the OLD CONNECTICUT PATH DRIVING TOURS link to go directly to the driving tours and walks web page.
UPCOMING EVENTS ALONG THE PATH
Connecticut Trails Day Weekend Walks Along the Old Connecticut Path (June 7 & 8, 2014)
Come walk along the Old Connecticut Path during Connecticut Trails weekend June 2014 as Ashford celebrates the town's 300th anniversary. The guided walks will connect the history of Connecticut's founders with the natural history of the land.
Where Natchaug & Nipmuck Meet along the Old Connecticut Path
Saturday, June 7 from 1:00-3:30 PM - A 2.6 mile walk along the Natchaug Trail to the section of the Nipmuck trail where the Old Connecticut Path comes downhill to Boston Hollow Brook. The Natchaug-Nipmuck walk is part of the Great Park Pursuits that combines CFP Blue-Blazed trails with state forests in addition to the historical significance of the Path. The walk has a moderate level of difficulty suitable for families with for older children (10 yrs+) and adults .
Name of Sponsoring Organization: Old Connecticut Path, Ashford Historical Society
Exploring the Path along Old Howey Road
Sunday, June 8 from 1:00-3:00 PM - A 2.0 mile family walk along the Old Connecticut Path following the old Howey Road corridor from Fliegel Farm (Joshua's Trust) to Langahmmer Woods (Ashford Conservation Commission) and back with the option for an introduction to Fern Glade for those who want a shorter walk to explore Knowlton Brook). This walk has a mild level of difficulty and is suitable for adults and families with younger children.
Name of Sponsoring Organization: Old Connecticut Path, Ashford Historical Society, Ashford Conservation Commission
For more information and pre-registration, visit the Connecticut Forest & Park Association Connecticut Trail Day Weekend website http://www.ctwoodlands.org/ OR contact oldconnecticutpath@gmail.com
"Rediscovering the Old Connecticut Path across Hopkinton & Ashland, MA: Presentation to the Hopkinton Historical Society, Hopkinton, MA, April 27, 2014". NEW 5/28/14
SEE the YouTube video by clicking on the picture (left) or link (right) Hopkinton Historical Society presentationHopkinton MA has a special connection with the Old Connecticut Path. The Old Connecticut Path and Bay Path cross Ashland and Hopkinton. While pioneers passed through on their way to Connecticut, Hopkinton has another connection with Connecticut. The English settlement of Hopkinton, owes its beginnings to a bequest of 500 pounds made to Harvard College by the estate of Governor Edward Hopkins. College trustees invested the money by purchasing the Megunko Indian territory and naming it for its donor - "Hopkinstown", or "Hopkinton", and the Town was incorporated December 13, 1715. The 84 minute video presents the story of the Path, connections with Hopkinton and Ashland, and places to visit today. The Hopkinton section of the presentation begins at 0:37:00. Question and Answer sections begins at 1:07:00.
Thanks to the Hopkinton Historical Society for the opportunity to share the story of the pioneers who followed the Path to Connecticut and those who came to settle in Hopkinton. Congratulations to the people of Hopkinton as they celebrate their town's 300th anniversary!
Exploring the Old Connecticut Path - article published by Connecticut Forest & Park Association
Thanks to Connecticut Forest and Park Association (CFPA) http://www.ctwoodlands.org/ for helping to spread the story of the Path. I'm very pleased to have the story of the Old Connecticut Path included as part of the "Keeping Paradise Unpaved" theme for the Spring 2014 edition of CFPA's Connecticut Woodlands magazine. Connecticut Forest & Park Association volunteers maintain a beautiful portion of the Old Connecticut Path within Natchaug State Forest in Ashford, CT. Read the article and learn more about finding the historic Path that is now a hiking "Blue-Blazed" open for all to discover. CFPA article "Exploring the Old Connecticut Path" pdfFor an expanded article with additional photos and maps, visit Where Natchaug & Nipmuck Meet.
CFPA Nipmuck Trail and Old Connecticut Path together in Natchaug State Forest (left).
Rediscovering Thompson's Place along the Old Connecticut Path: Presentation to the Thompson Historical Society,
Thompson, CT, - March 19, 2014.
SEE the YouTube video by clicking on the picture (left) or link (right) Thompson Historical Society presentationThompson has a special place in the history of the Old Connecticut Path thanks to historian Ellen Larned who compiled the History of Windham County published in 1874, founded the Thompson library and was the first women admitted to membership of the Connecticut Historical Society. Larned's historical research was accompanied by a real treasure map, her "Map of Ancient Windham County". Larned's record of the stories handed down by the pioneer settlers and the route of the Old Connecticut Path provides a key to rediscovering the places along the Path. The 73 minute video is much more than a story about places. The presentation tells the larger story of families and what they did for our nation. The video expands upon the content of previous presentations to include the findings of the Connecticut Historical Commission study of the Old Connecticut Path. The Path travels through places of great natural beauty and historic significance in their own right. A guide to places to visit and walk along the Path is shared open the way for others to directly experience the splendor of the land that endures almost four centuries after the first pioneers traveled down the Path to Connecticut.
Thanks to the Thompson Historical Society for sponsoring the Old Connecticut Path presentation, and the Thompson Public Library founded by Ellen Larned.
Rediscovering the Path of Our Ancestors: Old Connecticut Path
Presentation for the Massachusetts Society of the Order of Founders & Patriots of America, Boston, MA
December 4, 2013
The presentation for the Massachusetts Order of Founders & Patriots of America meeting at the Union Club in Boston, MA on December 4, 2013 provided the opportunity to share the story of the Old Connecticut Path. Many members of the Order have family connections to the founders of Connecticut who traveled the Old Connecticut Path. They share the belief that the Path has a special place in America's heritage. For more information about the Founders & Patriots of America, visit founderspatriots.orgSEE the YouTube video by clicking on the picture (left) or link (right) Rediscovering the Path of Our Ancestors: Old Connecticut Path
The 64 minute presentation includes a lively Q&A session starting at 49:00. Thanks to the OFPA members for the interest and insightful questions that brought the presentation to a new level
Old Connecticut Path: What shall we tell our children?
Presentation to the Learning in Retirement (LiR) Program at Quinebaug Valley Community College, Danielson, CT, November 5, 2013.
The search for the Old Connecticut Path began as a family history project. Rediscovering the story of the Path has lead to two questions: 1) What kept the pioneers going on their long, difficult journey?, and 2) What were the stories they passed on to their children and children's children? SEE the YouTube video by clicking on the picture (left) or link (right) Old Connecticut Path: What shall we tell our children?
The "live" 67 minute presentation at Quinebaug Valley Community College "Learning in Retirement" program brought new material and a restructured presentation together in the best retelling yet of the amazing story of the pioneers who came to Connecticut along the Old Connecticut Path. Their story and the roots of the American story offer answers that shine a light on the purpose of the lives of the Connecticut's pioneers and the relevance of their vision for us today.
Old Connecticut Path: Presentation to the Ashford Historical Society & Babcock Library, Ashford, CT, October 5, 2013.
Thanks to the Ashford Historical Society and Conserving Babcock Library for sponsoring the Old Connecticut Path presentation in Ashford. More than 25 people came out on a Saturday afternoon to learn more about the places along the Path and the story of the people who traveled along its route. The "live" 78 minute presentation tells the larger story of families and what they did for our nation. The video expands upon the content of previous presentations. The Path travels through places of great natural beauty in Ashford and historic significance in their own right. But, there is a much bigger story to be told about the heritage of the families who traveled the Path and their contributions to the heritage of our country.
SEE the YouTube video by clicking on the picture (left) or link (right) Old Connecticut Path & Ashford's Heritage
EARLIER PROGRAMS
Old Connecticut Path: Presentation in Eastford (CT) sponsored by the Eastford Library Board, Historical Society, and Conservation & Historic Preservation Commission, Eastford, CT, March 20, 2013.
More than 80 people came together in Eastford, CT on March 20 to rediscover the story of the Old Connecticut Path. Thanks to the Eastford Library Board, Conservation & Historic Preservation Commission, and Historical Society for sponsoring the Old Connecticut Path presentation. Interest in the story of the Path, the families who traveled it to Connecticut, and the American story they created continues to grow!
The "live" presentation in Eastford has been divided into 6 segments or "chapters" that tell the story of reconnecting the Path along with the larger story of families who first came down to Connecticut and what they did for our nation.
Part 1: FINDING THE PATH introduces the history of the Old Connecticut Path and the search to rediscover the route from Cambridge, MA to Hartford, CT.
To view, click on the picture (left) or link (above). TIME 18:02
Part 2 PATH TO CRYSTAL POND shows the approaches to Crystal Pond from Woodstock along the routes mapped by Lloyd Williams and Ellen Larned. It also introduces the later evolution the Path. To view, click on the picture (left) or link (above). TIME 3:41
Part 3 EASTFORD'S "PEARLS" visits two of Eastford's "Pearls" along the Path at Natchuag/Yale Forest along Walker Road and Crystal Pond at Camp NAHACO. The route of the Path across Eastford is shown.
To view, click on the picture (left) or link (above). TIME 12:20
Part 4 MARY HOOKER'S STORY recounts the journey of one of the families who journeyed from England to Connecticut through the story of 12 year old Mary Hooker. The story leads from the places of the Path and the founding families to the enduring American story.
To view, click on the picture (left) or link (above). TIME 25:22
Part 5 WHAT HAPPENED TO THE PATH? considers the Path's evolution from a walking to path to modern ways. While some argue that the Path went this way or that, others question whether there ever was a Path. Traces of the vanished ways hidden in the hills connect with modern roads traveled today. Places can still be found that reconnect travelers with the story of families who came to create a New England, and began an American story that's still heard today.To view, click on the picture (left) or link (above). TIME 5:51
Part 6 FOUNDING FAMILIES HERITAGE PATHWAY considers the opportunity to connect a 10 mile Founding Families Heritage Pathway between Crystal Pond in Eastford and Fenton-Ruby Park in Willington. While the founders (men) of Hartford, Windsor and Wethersfield are honored with monuments, the women and children who traveled as part of the founding families have no monument. A Founding Families Heritage Pathway would provide opportunity to walk in the footsteps of the families who came to Connecticut. The Pathway would link local and Connecticut heritage with the stories of the founding families.
To view, click on the picture (left) or link (above). TIME 2:52
Old Connecticut Path: Presentation for the Tolland Historical Society & Conserving Tolland, Tolland, CT, March 14, 2013.
Rediscovering the Old Connecticut Path is much more than a story about places. The "live" 60 minute presentation tells the larger story of families and what they did for our nation. The video expands upon the content of previous presentations. The Path travels through places of great natural beauty and historic significance in their own right. But, there is a much bigger story to be told about the heritage of the families who traveled the Path and their contributions to the heritage of our country. Thanks to the TOLLAND HISTORICAL SOCIETY (www.tollandhistorical.org) and CONSERVING TOLLAND (www.conservingtollandct.org) for sponsoring the Old Connecticut Path presentation in Tolland. Nearly 100 people came out to learn more about the places along the Path and the story of the people who traveled along its route.
Click on the picture (above) to see the video.
Note that light levels varied. The video recording primarily focused on the images projected on a screen.
Old Connecticut Path: Reconnecting the Path with the Heritage of Families and Our Nation, Presentation to the Windham (CT) County Conservation Consortium, January 31, 2013.
Rediscovering the Old Connecticut Path is much more than a story about places. The Path travels through places of great natural beauty and historic significance in their own right. But, there is a much bigger story to be told about the heritage of the families who traveled the Path and their contributions to the heritage of our country. These stories have been too big to tell in previous short videos. The "live" 47 minute presentation is a first step towards telling the larger story of families and what they did for our nation. Thanks to the Windham (CT) County Conservation Consortium for providing the opportunity to put the pieces of this great story together!Click on the picture (left) to see the video.
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