A nice small town library located in a pretty area. Parking was ample and the library was clean and…read moreorganized. There is a playground across the street as well as another building that has a food pantry in it. It was a little hard to find at first because the building doesn't say library on it. The librarian and staff were friendly and greeted us when we walked in. As with other libraries nearby, this one offers the same awesome benefits. The children's section was a little small but it had all the fun toys kids loves; Legos, dollhouses, computers, stuffed animals, puppets, puzzles, books, and a craft/coloring table. Overall, a nice place to bring the kids or do some work at!

Nice library in a very peaceful and quiet town. Nice staff and impressive collection of books and…read moremovies.

Whenever my dad revere-ingly discusses the Cornwall community, he never fails to mention this…read morearticle countless times, written when I was too young to be literate or vocal.: http://www.nytimes.com/1993/06/24/nyregion/west-cornwall-journal-bart-without-cable-tv-nothing-but-a-t-shirt.html It's a small library, but it's a small town. I mean you don't come for hip wifi or the latest DVDs. However, they do have a few working computers to use and a DVD selection. Unlike libraries in the areas I've lived where they need to sort of keep up with the demands of the current times, this library will appease them but not break their backs doing so. That is not to say they are without a good inventory, they could alone stock the library with local authored novels. It is really about culture here, they will exhibit contemporary photography and general visual art from locals (which can even include high profile people like Roz Chast) and such a caliber is held with the children's section as well. The outside is also really soothing and to see into the rustic windows. It's something that is easy to underestimate until you've been surrounded by an urban environment where the trees are decorative markers. I think it's a really lovely library that meets the standards of knowledge and pride of the state within their walls. It's hip to be square.

In 1906, New Hartford's Licia & Mason Beekley Community Library was founded. The building it's in…read morenow, opened in 1996. The building is really pretty and reminded me of a house. Inside was pristine and had its own unique look to it. The librarians were helpful and friendly. It's been a goal of mine to visit as many libraries as possible. Since CT is currently doing the Passport to Libraries event, it's been a great incentive to visit as many libraries as possible. There were plenty of parking and it wasn't busy on a weekday. We explored the children's room because at every library, that's where we tend to stay the longest. There were plenty of toys, train set, tool set, books, stuffed animals, and an art table. If you've got kids, I highly recommend it. Every Thursday, they have storytime at 11 am for children ages 0-3. The library is a great resource; there are many programs, events, and random things you can borrow besides books. Overall, an organized library with many perks and we shall be back!

This library is awesome, it is clean and bright, the staff is freindly and always willing to help,…read morethe rows are not so narrow that you feel like you have to suck it in to get down them, like so many other libraries. The childrens room is great, mh son loves going here!

Driving through the pretty countryside in Barkhamsted, I came across quite an unusual site - a…read morelarge metal bell sitting on top of two imposing stone pillars. The monument sits between two huge flagpoles, almost giving it the appearance of sitting inside a set of football goalposts. The bell is located on a green at the intersection of Pleasant Valley Road (Connecticut Route 318) and Beach Rock Road, adjacent to the Barkhamsted Center Cemetery. So here's the history of the bell. It's old - like 1834 old. It's from an old Barkhamsted Church named the Universalist Church. It was in the part of town known as Barkhamsted Hollow, so the Church was also known as the Hollow Church. Because the area was prone to floods, the immediate area was redesigned by the MDC in the late 1930's as many houses, farms, and that very Church were razed to build the Saville Dam in 1940. The Dam was meant to keep the nearby Farmington River in check and created the huge Barkhamsted Reservoir. The stone pillars contain two inscribed plaques that read: This bell hung in the Hollow Church which was relocated during construction of the Compensating Reservoir. It was cast in Hartford, CT in 1834. Dedicated 1997 These boulders were provided by the generosity of the Metropolitan District Commission. There were part of the Saville Dam spillway and washed out in the 1955 flood. It's quite the cool landmark, Reminds me of an old Chuck Berry song about some guy........"who never ever learned to read or write so well, but he could play the guitar like ringing a bell...."

Within a 20-25 foot span, the Town of Goshen honors its veterans spanning the decades and centuries…read morefrom the French and Indian War to the Vietnam War. Located on a patch of lawn near Goshen Town Hall, you will find five monuments, one for World War I, one for the French and Indian War & Revolutionary War, one for World War II, one for the Civil War, and one for the Korean War and Vietnam War. That's over 200 years of service by Goshen's veterans, going back to a time before there even was a United States.

It a town in New England doesn't have a small green area with monuments to those lost and served in…read morebattle since the Revolutionary War, are they really IN New England? This is a very well-kept collection of monuments on the town hall property; parking is available in the town hall lot. Should other people be there, they may be looking at the names of relatives, as Goshen is a town where you're just visiting until three generations have lived there, so be respectful.

Located in the southwest corner of the Village Cemetery and close to the road, this 24-foot-tall…read moremonument honors the soldiers and sailors from New Hartford who fought for the Union during the Civil War. The dedication reads, "Erected 1892 to the memory of New Hartford soldiers and sailors who served in the War of the Rebellion, 1861 1865." and above it is a medallion representing the Grand Army of the Republic. On the other side, a corroded bronze plaque lists the different units and soldiers who are honored here. The figure atop the monument stands, facing south, with a rifle supported by his hands. He is wearing a union uniform including cap and cloak with a winning moustache and van dyke beard. It's interesting that the rifle butt extends over the edge of the top. I've not spotted that on such monuments before. [Review 18406 overall - 72 in Connecticut - 1928 of 2022.]

This is one of those state signs in every town, village, and "used to have people living here"…read moreplace in Connecticut. Winchester Center is closest to the la as t of those categories. It's very pretty, and people do live there, but if you need a bottle of milk you're driving at least 20 minutes. Anyway, it does warrant itself a sign from the state, titled "Winchester Center, 'The Old Society'" and reads: The first ecclesiastical society of Winchester was incorporated by the central assembly of the colony of Connecticut at its May session, 1768. The following year, a small, low, steeple-roofed building was erected for a meeting house about 7/10 of a mile south of the present Winchester Center Green;a rough granite post marks the site. The first census of the colony, taken in 1756, has 24 as the population of the entire town of Winchester. The next census, taken in 1774, shows 327 whites, 12 blacks. The Congregational Church was formed October 30, 1771, with 14 members. Only five years after the erection of the first house of worship, a committee was sent from the county court at Litchfield "to pitch the stakes" for a meeting house at the 'center'. On October 11, 1785, Dr. Josiah Everett deeded to the society for the sum of 1 £, 16s and 3d "lawful money" for a certain piece of land containing 56 1/2 rods "to build a meeting house on for divine worship, and for a suitable green around the same." In 1786 a new edifice was erected on this Green. The whipping post and stocks, those indispensable pillars of New England law and order, stood nearby on the green. The post served also for the posting of public notices. The third church, Greek revival with a Doric portico and facade of matched boards, was erected in 1841. Just north of the green, land was provided by 'Squire' Issac Bronson; with the stipulation that no building was ever again to be erected on the green. Our father's built shelter for their families and stock, then the church of God, then the school house. The early records of the town do not contain any accounts of building the first public schoolhouse. However, there is no doubt such buildings were erected. The 'chapel', across Winchester road from the church, began its existence as 'the Academy' finances by a group of investors "who purchased rights payable in higher education for their children." The Winchester institute (which stood some 700 north of the center green) a commodious seminary building opened in 1858 as a boarding and day school. It was the seat of learning for such great men as Dr. Fredrick S. Dennis and Dr. William H Welch (the latter discovered "ether"); after use as a seminary it became The Hill View Inn (destroyed by fire in 1929). The center had at one time two country stores, the Bronson Bros at the north side of the Green and S&L Hurlbut on Newfield Road. The latter building was acquired in 1895 by the Winchester Grange. Fire destroyed it in 1951 and the present grange hall was its replacement. The Winchester Center cemetery, acquired Mar. 16 1773 and the Hurlbut family cemetery are on South road, about a mile south east. The Danbury Courier cemetery is on Benedict road part of the original Winchester Center Settlement. You can park across from the sign near the Grange hall, and dash across and see it. The sign itself is on a small triangle of land, and you'll undoubtedly be in the way of cars if you try to park there.

If you're into history and artillery; this is a cool sight to see. You won't miss this large cannon…read morelocated in Coe Memorial Park, downtown Torrington. There were two memorial plaques on it with information regarding this monument. It was presented in 1995 to the veterans of Torrington. The 155 mm cannon is a M114A2 Howitzer Medium; carriage was manufactured by Lufkin Foundry and Machine Company in 1944. When it was in use, the maximum range was 30,000 meters; the rate of fire was 4 rounds per minute. There was a truck that would tow this cannon and it would be manned by a six person crew. You can tell this is old, it's rusted and paint was peeling. Nonetheless, it was a powerful tool used to protect our troops; also a solemn reminder of all the lives lost. When in presence of this memorial, take a moment in silence, ponder, and appreciate the freedom we have due to all the men and women who sacrificed their lives for the USA.

If you're driving down one of the main drags in Torrington, you might do a double take at the sight…read moreof this huge gun sitting in the middle of a park! This 155 mm Howitzer gun sits in Coe Park among many veterans memorials - the Viet Nam fountain, the Torrington Veterans Memorial, and the Civil War memorial. It was presented to the city in 1995 as a gift by Torrington's Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 9086. Two plaques are mounted on the gun. The top one reads: Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 9086 Torrington, CT. 155mm Howitzer Presented to the City of Torrington All Veterans Memorial 1995 The second plaque cites some of the weapon's artillery specs.