As the care for the mentally ill and developmentally disabled has progressed from state institutions to group homes and day programs, the buildings that once housed the state hospitals are left vacant. The process of deinstitutionalization has left impressive buildings to a variety of fates. Some, like Foxboro State and Taunton State Hospitals, have been […]
Seaside State Park Read More »
Boston has been my adopted home town for nineteen years. I thought I had done a pretty good job of exploring almost every nook and cranny of the city. From Maverick to Forest Hills, I knew it all! I was proven wrong when I discovered the Fort Hill Tower in the Roxbury section of Boston
For the last three years, I have been leading a tour around Norwichtown, a village in Norwich, Connecticut, as part of The Last Green Valley’s Walktober series. The walk’s name is “Off Kilter Tales of Norwichtown” and yes, it features an array of ghost stories about the historic neighborhood. The walk is run in conjunction
A Virtual Walk Through Norwichtown and Beyond Read More »
In researching and writing my two Connecticut Lore books, the Tory Den in Burlington, Connecticut, was always on my shortlist but never made it into print. Given its proximity, a mile or so from the nearest parking lot, I never had enough time to dedicate to its exploration while in the western part of the
Tory Den- Burlington, CT Read More »
New Britain is synonymous with the Stanley family. Not only were they original settlers to the area, they are also known for the Stanley Works. Stanley Works or the Stanley Tool Company (now Stanley Black & Decker) is one of the most successful tool manufacturers in the world. As with other wealthy industrialists, I figured
In Search of the Stanley mansion Read More »
Thompson, Connecticut, in the northeast-most corner of the state, is home to ten villages. Sure, more well-known mill villages such as North Grosvenordale are part of this town, but so is Fabyan. No not Fabian, but Fabyan. The Quiet Corner of the state, also known as Windham County, has dual personalities. One route (Route 12)
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Milton, Massachusetts is an affluent suburb directly south of the city of Boston. With the reopening of certain of The Trustees’ properties, we headed to Milton to visit Governor Hutchinson Field. While we were there, we actually spent the most time across the street on the grounds of the Forbes House Museum. Add to this
A Day Out in Milton Read More »
With restaurants, breweries, and stores closed now and for the foreseeable future, taking walks is the only game in town. Luckily, living on the South Shore of Massachusetts, there are many great spots to take a variety of walks. From the oceanside to the deep woods, this region has it all. Backyard Road Trips brings
Ten Walks for Social Distancing on the South Shore Read More »
I lived in Newton, Massachusetts, for about five years after graduating from college. The bucolic, affluent suburb was a tremendous city to live in but did lack a certain urbanity that I craved. Boston was close certainly, but Waltham was a quicker and easier drive. Waltham, the next town over, was a great small city
Time for School! Given the family friendliness of many craft breweries, they often become either a destination or an add-on to the majority of the Backyard Road Trips that I take with my familial entourage in tow (see basically any other blog entry on this website). Living in the South Shore of Massachusetts, I have
