I came here on a fall afternoon as the sun was setting. It's a bit of a drive up to the castle from…read morethe entrance of the park but not too bad- about 10-15 minutes. I like that there are stairs inside the castle. What a beautiful view from the top! The foliage was a bit past peak but still gorgeous. It was windy and chilly but totally worth the views!

Yesterday my dog Brody and I decided to visit Castle Craig which is perfectly situated high above…read moreHubbard Park in order to gain a view of both the park and much of Meriden. Though this year's peak fall colors were muted and a bit past, it was still highly enjoyable.

This museum is adorable! I came because of a Groupon, and parking may be an issue for events. It…read morewas very limited on the property itself, although there is handicapped parking right next to the main house. Outside there is a barn and old outhouse, and a beautiful garden display. it's very well maintained. The entrance is off the front porch, where you're greeted by a docent or intern. Tours of the house are 20-30 minutes, and it contains so many original items from the original family who owned it (it went right from the last surviving to a museum), and the last generation was into collecting. There's a lot of local history, many dog decorations, and GOBLETS. There's over 1,000 goblets, and most seem to be single styles. They are working on cataloging them. The house is beautiful, and the history is fascinating. If you live in the area, you'll pick up pieces of Southington back in the day. Children would even enjoy seeing the cases of old products and what names they may recognize. And the goblets are breathtaking. This is a great value museum! (They also sell postcards for a great price)

This guy never…read more threw out anything The Barnes Museum, formerly known as the Bradley Homestead, is a cool old house that serves as a historical library and is open to the public. It was built in 1836 and for five bucks you get to see and hear about another time and way of life. The first thing you notice once you are inside the house is that there is a lot of stuff. Lots of lots of stuff. All kinds of stuff. Stuff everywhere. It turns out Bradley Barnes, a son of the original builder of the house never threw out anything. He collected and kept all kinds of stuff. Some very cool stuff but also a lot of crap. It seems every single receipt, letter, photo, magazine, toy, knick knack and doo dad he every owned he kept. Perhaps some serious OCD going on there. It almost seemed like he knew the house was going to be a museum and wanted it well stocked with stuff. Of course all this stuff makes the house interesting to tour. The lady bringing us around seemed to know exactly what every single piece in the house was and where it came from. Pretty cool and amazing. All the stuff isn't from Bradley or from one temporal moment. Leela Barnes, Bradley's wife was a prolific painter and many of her paintings are scattered throughout the domicile. She also had many collections and also seem to keep just about everything she ever owned. You can definitely see what the attraction between these two was The house was being lived in until the 1970's when it was donated to the town so there were modifications and changes to the original structure and items from different decades. Going through the place is almost like a walk through time. Shifting back and forth through different years ands individuals. Of course you inevitable go back to Bradley's stuff. A great old house that is in absolutely pristine condition. It's filled with lots of very cool and some not so cool stuff. So much stuff that you have to thread carefully in places so that you don't end up breaking some of the stuff. I have a feeling that Leela and Bradley were a couple of crazy sob's but because of them we have a great old historic house filled with lots of very interesting stuff.

Dedicated back in 1880, this is another of our state's impressive Civil War memorials. It's located…read moreon the Southington Green at the intersection of Main Street (Route 10) and Academy Street It has a 7' tall sculpture of a Union soldier standing on a granite base that looks to be twice as tall as the soldier, so the whole thing must be around 20 feet tall. The soldier is a very young looking guy, and unlike so many of the Civil War memorials I have seen (old grizzled craggy guys with beards), he is clean shaven. Of course he's carrying his rifle by the barrel, like just about every other Civil War statue, and the butt of the rifle is on the ground. The lower pedestal has a column at each corner. At the front is a bas-relief carving of the US stars and stripes shield and the CT state seal. The front of the platform is inscribed: THE DEFENDERS OF OUR UNION. 1861 - 1865. There is a large square planter around the base, and it was beautifully decorated with purple flowers and American flags. The monument was dedicated on August 18, 1880, pretty soon after the Civil War ended. The monument is in great condition and its size and life-like detail make it a very impressive sight indeed.

I did not come to tour the museum, but did get to see part of it as part of a hearth cooking class…read more The Stanley-Whitman is part original house arranged how it may have been with the original owners, and part new structure with a gift shop and modern restrooms. There is also an herb garden outside, and an apple tree grown based on the teachings of Benjamin Franklin. Apparently having fruit took more than a grocery store way back when. The house is very interesting to experience. Everything was smaller back then, and cooking was a task and a half. The employees/docents are obviously learned about their subjects, and you'll learn a lot. Definitely check out their special programs - parking may be a challenge (so carpool!) but if they're food related they'll be delicious.

Stopped in for a short tour during the day. The docent was very knowledgeable. It's a small place…read morebut tons of information. Great way to spend an hour.

Dedicated in 1884, this is an absolutely beautiful monument. It is a stunning 48 feet tall. It has…read moreornate and incredible detailed sculptures on all sides. I saw an old grizzled exhausted soldier sitting to catch a few minutes of rest. A grim looking citizen soldier holds his rifle in his right hand while his left hand is clenched in a fist of fury. A seated woman holds a book while two children crowd around her. A blacksmith stands tall and proud. The monument is capped by a Greek goddess holding her crown of laurels. There is artwork everywhere- sculpted panels and lamp posts made of rifles. And of course, there are inscribed plaques with the flowery language of the day. One reads: In honor of the patriotism and to perpetuate the memory of the 900 brave men who went forth from this town to fight in the war for the union. This monument has been erected by their townsmen that all who come after them may be mindful of their deeds, and fail not in the day of trial to emulate their example. 1861-1865 Another one reads: Brave men, who rallying at your country's call, Went forth to fight - if Heaven willed, to fall! Returned, ye walk with us through sunnier years, And hear your nation say, God bless you all! Brave men, who yet a heavier burden bore. And came not home to hearts by grief made sore! They call you dead and lo ye grandly live. Shrined in the nation's love forevermore! 1865-1885 So many of Connecticut's old towns have a monument or two like this. They are so easy to overlook, so easy to drive by without even realizing what they are. Look at the statues, look at the sadness in the faces. These are treasures.

Bizarre with a capital "B"…read more There is a Timexpo Museum in Waterbury that tells the story of the Timex company, and the history of watches and time. But as important as that might be, they are nothing when compared to the totally cool 40' tall Easter Island Moai statue that graces a strip of grass in front of the museum. What exactly this statue has to do with the history of time, I don't know. What I do know is this- I pity the poor drunken fool who might be unfortunate enough to be stumbling down Union Street when he glances up and sees this 40 foot tall beast blocking his path. I think that would sober up our poor guy pretty fast.

Discover the Easter Island Moai…read more Forget your bucket list. Don't wait till you can't climb the hill at the quarry to one of the world's most amazing places, Rano Raraku on isolated Easter Island. A giant Moai is waiting to be freed from a thousand years of captivity. What was the last carver's thoughts as he walked away from his final creation? Take a flight or a cruise to French Polynesia and visit Easter Island. Sign up with Tiare Edmunds of Easter Island Guides for a one or two or day tour and see what time left behind. Tiare is the only Rapanui native guide with direct descendents to the original natives. She leads you on an adventure back in time in her air conditioned vehicle. Easter Island is situated on a triangle of volcanic rock in the South Pacific over 2,000 miles from Tahiti and Chile. It's a living outdoor museum and Tiare has the E ticket pass. We were picked up at the pier and spent two incredible days exploring and learning about what might of happened to a thriving culture that almost lead to extinction. While historically no one knows exactly what happened to leave behind over 900 massive Moai, Tiare will help you understand the culture and the people. She also brought along a picnic lunch on both days of arugula from her garden on fresh sandwiches and olives and Rapa Nui locally brewed beer. What a treat. Looking out over the ocean, drinking a cold beer, having a great lunch and talking with a real local historian about her family's history. A truly memorable time. Don't wait.

My family and I were at the Celebrate New Britain event and stopped at this historical marker…read more Since there's a Yelp review on it, I'll add my two cents. The marker is located in Central Park next to the huge Soldiers' Monument; standing almost like a shadow against this grand obelisk. Don't let that take away from the significance of it. The marker was erected in 1971, with a combined effort of the City of New Britain and Connecticut Historical Commission. On the marker, there is a brief description of the city. It became a town in 1850 and the main sources of employment were blacksmithing and hardware manufacturing; it rapidly expanded and became known as the hardware city. A nice spot to stop, take a moment, and read this informative marker.

Once known as "The Hardware City of the World", the name "New Britain" is certainly an improvement…read moreover it's early name of "Great Swamp". This is a two-sided marker from the CT Historical Commission in the familiar white lettering on a blue background. It has the same inscription on both sides. It's Located in a small green known as Central Park, at the intersection of West Main Street and Main Street. The sign was dedicated in 1971 and remains in pretty good condition considering its age. It is showing some sides of faded paint on both the white lettering and blue background, but is still very readable. The full inscription reads: The Ecclesiastical Society of New Britain was formed 1754 by division of Kensington Society called Great Swamp. New Britain became a town 1850. Charter of incorporation was granted by Connecticut General Assembly 1870 which was accepted January, 1871, by vote of 521 to 520. From small beginnings in blacksmith shops, hardware manufacturing developed rapidly; by end of the 19th century city was widely known as Hardware City of the World. Its most famous son, Elihu Burritt, the learned blacksmith became ardent advocate of international peace and advancement of education. First Normal School in Connecticut was established here 1850, now Central Connecticut State College. Erected by the City of New Britain and the Connecticut Historical Commission 1971

Some interesting Durham history nuggets:…read more The land was bought from the "Long Swamp" Indians in 1673. One of Colonial America's earliest lending libraries was founded here in 1733. The starving troops at Valley Forge were fed by supplies carried from Durham to Pennsylvania by two oxen from Durham. Austin, Texas was named for Durham's Moses Austin. Metal toy and box factories! The wonderful Durham fair goes back to 1916. This is a two-sided marker from the CT Historical Commission in the familiar white lettering on a blue background. It has the same inscription on both sides. It's located on a green in front of Town Hall and the library, near the intersection of Main Street and Maple Avenue. The marker was dedicated in 1979 and although the paint is in excellent condition, the marker and support posts have been whacked by something (a car or a tree limb?) and you can see a very noticeable split at the bottom of the sign. That's a shame, because there is some very cool stuff highlighted on the marker.

Excellent landmark. There are others must see and/or must visit spots around the area such as parks…read moreand monuments. If you are around the area, it is a must visit landmark in Hartford, CT.

I've always wondered whose statue this was until the other day when me and some of my fave Yelpers…read morewere walking around Hartford and we walked by it. Pretty awesome statue for sure.

Eri Woodbury was a Civil War Union soldier who drew his saber on four Confederate soldiers and…read moresingle handedly persuaded them to surrender. Harvey Barnum was a Vietnam era Marine. When his battalion was riddled by enemy fire, he tended to his commander's wounds, grabbed the radio from the dead radio operator, moved through enemy fire, organized the remnants of the battalion and safely evacuated them to safety. Both men were from Cheshire. Both men were awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor -our nation's "highest award for valor in action." In 1998, their hometown honored their patriotism with the dedication of a Medal of Honor Plaza and educational Living Classroom at the entrance to Bartlem Park, more or less across the street from Cheshire High School. The plaza has a 50 feet wide star on the ground constructed from bricks. The bricks have the names of hundreds of Cheshire veterans inscribed on them. The middle of the plaza has a black granite monument that looks like a podium or a lectern. It bears the names and ranks of Woodbury and Barnum. Stone benches are also set in the plaza, bearing their names as well. The Living Classroom is an interesting idea- there are five trees planted at the corners of the plaza star that have ties to historic places or events, like Gettysburg, Washington's Delaware crossing, and Connecticut's Constitution Oak. The lectern is inscribed on its sides with these words: The American Revolution War of 1812 Spanish-American War World War I World War II Korean War Gulf War Remembering The Many Sacrifices That Preserved Our Freedom Residents of Cheshire Heroes of the United States Medal of Honor Recipient 1st Lieutanant Harvey C. Barnum, Jr. U.S. Marines Vietnam Medal of Honor Recipient Sgt. Eri D. Woodbury 1st Vermont Cavalry Civil War