A Norwichtown “Walktober”
I grew up in Norwichtown, the oldest settlement in Norwich, Connecticut. Growing up here, I may be prejudiced, but I do think it’s quite special. Luckily, I’ve been able to share stories about my home village through my writing, but also through the Last Green Valley’s fantastic Walktober series. I lead a Norwichtown “Walktober” walk.
The Last Green Valley is 35 towns in eastern Connecticut and south-central Massachusetts, basically from Norwich to Brimfield, MA. The Last Green Valley refers to an area of southern New England where woods still run wild, devoid of suburban sprawl. Looking at the region during the nighttime from above, tiny lights do not overpopulate like they do in much of the metropolitan northeast.
Walktober is truly a wonderful event. Originally referred to as a “Walking Weekend” with guided walks in this area over Columbus Day weekend 29 years ago, it is now a whole month affair. Actually even more so, Walktober runs from late September to early November. Most of the walks take place on the weekends but some also run during the week. Most walks are free; only a select few charge admission. For a detailed brochure on this year’s event click here. The walks feature a variety of guided tours with a focus on nature, culture, history, and other aspects.
Dogtown? No, Norwichtown
The inspiration for this article initially blossomed out of an ill-fated trip to Dogtown in this past July. Dogtown was a former village in Gloucester and Rockport on Cape Ann in Massachusetts. The town deteriorated and its reputation grew. From tales of hauntings and as a murder site to the location of mysterious boulders known as the Babson Boulders adorned with inspirational inscriptions such as “Never Try, Never Win” and as the muse of painter, Mardsen Hartley, Dogtown has quite the story to tell. Check out the book Dogtown, by Elyssa East for all the details.
I had been there once before and saw peripheral boulders, but with my whole family in tow, the venture into the woods was cut short. This summer though, my friend Dave and I were set to explore it. Cutting into Dogtown via an industrial park in Gloucester, the only thing we got was hopelessly lost. Additionally, lost and soaked. On an unusually humid day in late July, we noticed a few sprinkles as soon as we hit the trail. This led to eventually being caught in a bone-chilling downpour in the midst of an endless thunder and lightning storm for a good hour.
A-ha! To Norwichtown!
Alas, my original idea of an article on Dogtown would have to be delayed. It did get me thinking though. Another “town” that has a story to tell is one that I am personally familiar with. That is Norwichtown.
Through the Last Green Valley’s Walktober, I have been able to lead a tour of the sites in my beloved Norwichtown for the last three years called “Off-Kilter Tales of Norwichtown.”
Connecticut Lore’s Tales of Norwichtown
Norwichtown became a focal point for my two “Connecticut Lore” series books. In the first volume, the Norwichtown stories were ones that I had grown up with. A ghostly wake scene at my childhood home, Norwichtown’s Samuel Abbot House, the ghost of Benedict Arnold arriving on horseback to visit his mother in the cemetery on Halloween, and Simon Huntington’s ghost being seen in a mirror are detailed in this book. I won’t spoil this too much, read the book instead! In the second book, I spoke with a medium who detailed his accounts of Norwichtown and further dove into the spooky tales of the neighborhood.
Off-Kilter Tales of Norwichtown
Although given the proximity to Halloween, the Walktober Norwichtown walk, Off-Kilter Tales of Norwichtown, certainly details eerie and scary stories from these homes and sites around the neighborhood, so much of the fun is being surrounded by 18th-century beauty on a (hopefully) perfect autumn day. Many of the stories that I tell on the walk are from my books. Talk about book pages coming to life! Being able to lead a tour of sites straight from chapters of my books is a very gratifying experience.
The walk begins at the Norwich Historical Society’s Visitor Center on East Town Street. Inside, exhibits include a Norwich timeline and artifacts related to the history of the town. The walk continues across the street to the Norwichtown Green. Next, to the base of Meetinghouse Rocks behind the Congregational Church, followed by a walk down Old Cemetery Lane en route to the Old Burial Ground. Through both sections of the graveyard, past the likes of Hannah Arnold, Samuel Huntington, and Bela Peck, the walk also diverts into the Lowthorpe Meadow. After a quick detour onto the Governor Samuel Huntington Mansion grounds and a walk down Huntington Lane, the walk ends along East Town Street and back to the visitor center. Learn about the phantom hand of Bela Peck, the visage of sachem Uncas on the Huntington Mansion, and try to spot a sea captain walking on Huntington Avenue.
Norwichtown- It’s worth a look
Norwichtown is classic New England at its finest. Whether joining the walk or not, this neighborhood should be put on your “Backyard Road Trips bucket list.” Along with the visitor center, any Norwichtown adventure should begin at the Norwichtown Green, a large town common that still serves community functions today such as history days, fairs, and concerts. The Congregational Church, the fourth meetinghouse on or near this location in Norwichtown, is quintessential New England, with its coat of white paint. Behind it, travel uphill to what is known as “Meetinghouse Rocks.” Here its use is for services on Easter morning, most of the year this spot, owned by the church, is perfect for introspection, and dramatic views. From high atop this hill, views of the steeples of Norwich can be seen as far as the Cathedral of Saint Patrick.
The green is lined by many houses that date from the 1700s. This is not a museum though. These are inhabited by proud homeowners. The way of life here is completely modern, just housed in a village with certain parts of it dating from the 18th century.
More fun
The walk up Meetinghouse Rocks in the fall is breathtaking. The colors dancing on the trees viewed from atop Meetinghouse Rocks are truly amazing. In the Old Burial Ground, a quick stroll from the green via Old Cemetery Lane, witness the autumn season at its finest. Between fallen leaves crunching underfoot to the vivid display of colors lining the colonial cemetery’s trees, the cemetery is seemingly most alive in the autumn–a strange juxtaposition it is!
Even though Norwichtown does have its share of spooky stories, much of the fun is being able to bask in the majesty of the authentic colonial village. Admiring the architecture, inspecting the rows of gravestones, and enjoying a late October walk are all part of the fun.
A True “Backyard Road Trip”
My idea of Backyard Road Trips is just that. You don’t have to travel halfway around the world to enjoy what is your own backyard. This rings true whether you’re in Connecticut or Kazakhstan. In Norwichtown, this is demonstrated. I often go to seek the heart of autumn in farther away locales such as Vermont, New Hampshire, or the Berkshires, but sometimes I need to remember the beauty found just outside my own home in Norwich, Connecticut.
Norwichtown- the Place to Be!
Whether you’re here to come along on the Tales of Off-Kilter Norwichtown walk or just venturing here yourself on a free day, make sure to explore what Norwichtown has to offer. It’s a unique place where history seems to come alive.
My “Off-Kilter Tales of Norwichtown” walk will be held at 10:00 on Saturday, October 26, as part of the Last Green Valley’s Walktober event. It will last roughly an hour and a half. There is no need to register in advance. It is a free event, meeting at the Norwich Historical Society Visitor’s Center at 69 East Town Street in Norwich, CT. I hope to see you there!
Do you want more?
Since this walk will be over before noon, there is plenty more to do in the area. Here are some recommendations: top ten eastern Connecticut places, Woodstock Orchards and picking the perfect pumpkin in Connecticut.
