I went to the New Haven Green to advocate for childcare. Childcare is in a crisis and there needs…read moreto be an increase in federally funded money to support childcare. Early childhood educators are not even paid minimum wage and struggling to pay their bills. Additionally, many families are not able to afford high-quality childcare. The Connecticut Childcare Organization is advocating for families for equitable, affordable access to high-quality care, and for early childhood educators to have a stable workforce. Moreover, they raise awareness of the importance of early childhood education, change of policies for early childhood education, partnering with business and private companies to fund early childhood, and persuading the public about the awareness of childhood education. Early childhood is in a national crisis that is affecting parents, especially mothers, struggling to find suitable and affordable childcare options. Also, a lack of federally funded investment is failing to relieve parents and families from childcare's high and inaccessible cost. The federal government must act quickly to preserve and increase funding for child care for children to experience a high-quality education. Policy makers must provide longterm investments to ensure that families can afford care, children receive the critical developmental support, and workers receive a living wage. As child care becomes more expensive and insufficiently funded, caregivers are struggling to pay for child care because child care is more expensive than ever. It is becoming increasingly difficult for parents to pay for childcare and to be able to work. Some caregivers are working two jobs just to pay for daycare and must sacrifice their bills to pay for childcare. Families spend an average of over $8,000 per year per child for full-time child care, a cost that has increased by 26 percent in the last decade which is more than 200 percent over the past 30 years, and is not nearly in line with minimum wages.,Childcare is $10,600 annually, which is more than public college tuition in 34 states and families are unable to pay for high quality childcare because of high cost.

This is a two-sided marker from the CT Historical Commission in the familiar white lettering on a…read moreblue background. It highlights the history of New Haven and is located on the Church Street side of the New Haven Green, near City Hall. This marker needs both sides to describe the rich history and importance of New Haven. It traces its history way back to settlers from England and Boston in 1638. It was the first planned community in the US. It was invaded and looted by the British during the Revolutionary War. It was the site of the famous trial that cleared the slaves aboard the Amistad, and it became an American icon for higher education with the founding of Yale University in 1701. The plaque is located very close to Church Street on the beautiful Village Green. It's a worthy setting for a plaque honoring one of America's oldest cities. The plaque's full text reads: Settlement of Quinnipiac, afterward named New Haven, began on April 25, 1638 with the arrival of a large group from London by way of Boston, under the leadership of merchant Theophilus Eaton and the Reverend John Davenport. Later that year, the present downtown area was laid out and mapped in nine squares with a central common, now called the New Haven Green. This is the first example of a planned community in the United States. The town was invaded by the British in 1779 during the Revolutionary War, but escaped serious damage, despite extensive plundering. The City of New Haven was incorporated in 1784 and its first mayor was Roger Sherman, the only person who signed all four of the Nation's founding documents: the Articles of Association, the Declaration of Independence, the Articles of Confederation, and the Constitution of the United States. (Continued on other side) New Haven Harbor, the largest port on Long Island Sound, was the scene of an active fishing and sailing trade in the 19th century New Haven in 1840 was the setting for the AMISTAD trial, in which fifty-two black slaves, who had mutinied aboard a Spanish slave ship of that name after being kidnapped in Africa in defiance of law, were cleared of all civil charges brought against them. The city later became noted for manufacturing. New Haven is the site of a number of schools of higher learning, including Yale University, founded in 1701, South Central Community, Southern Connecticut State, and Albertus Magnus colleges, and Berkeley Divinity School. The homes and many institutional buildings of New Haven reflect the work of noted architects from the 18th century to the present. Since the 1950's, New Haven has received national acclaim for its efforts to renew and preserve the downtown and distinctive neighborhoods. Erected by the City of New Haven the New Haven Colony Historical Society and the Connecticut Historical Commission 1979

Know your Bible? OK, prove it…read more What City near Jerusalem was home to siblings Mary, Martha, and Lazarus? Need another hint- it was also home to Simon the Leper. The answer is Bethany, the namesake for this town of around 6,000 in Connecticut's New Haven County. In front of Town Hall is this 2-sided marker from the CT Historical Commission, in the familiar white lettering on a blue background. It has different inscriptions on both sides. The marker was dedicated in 1981 and is in very good condition. The blue background is fairly bright with no signs of fading or peeling. The full inscription reads: Bethany In 1738 Amity Parish in New Haven and Milford, including most of present-day Woodbridge and Bethany, was incorporated by the General Assembly of Connecticut Colony. The earliest schoolhouse was built in 1750 in the northern half of Amity Parish. It was located first at Rocky Corner, near the intersection of Meyer and Old Amity Roads. In 1762 the northern part of the Parish was made a distinct ecclesiastical society and was named Bethany for the Biblical village at the foot of the Mount of Olives near Jerusalem. In 1832, by act of the General Assembly, Bethany Parish was separated from Woodbridge and incorporated as the Town of Bethany. The Straitsville area was taken in 1844, together with parts of Oxford and Waterbury, to become Naugatuck. In 1871, also as a result of legislative action, the western area became part of Beacon Falls, incorporated as a town with portions added from Oxford, Naugatuck, and Seymour. Some notable examples of architecture dating from the period before incorporation of the town still stand in the vicinity and are attributed to David Hoadley (1774 - 1839) of Waterbury, a self-taught builder-architect who became a leading designer of church buildings in the first decades of the 19th century. His skill in domestic construction is displayed in the Beecher (or Hoadley) House of 1807 with very fine detail both on the exterior and in the central hall and rooms of the interior. Christ Church, Episcopal, dating from 1809, is also from the hand of Hoadley. During its construction, services were held in the upstairs ballroom of the Beecher House. The church is little changed on the outside, but the interior reflects extensive alterations made in accordance with changing taste over the last one hundred years. Regarded as the high point of Hoadley's achievement is United (North) Church of 1814 on the New Haven Green. Erected by the Town of Bethany and the Connecticut Historical Commission 1981 157 CT towns done, 13 to go

In this area, the border between New York State and Connecticut is the Byram River and this bridge…read morecarries I-95 over the bridge, joining the communities of Port Chester with Greenwich. This crucial piece of infrastructure dates back to the ambitious expansion of the Interstate Highway System in the middle of the 20th century. The bridge was built in the 1950s as part of the initial Interstate 95 buildout, which connected Maine and Florida on the Eastern Seaboard. For both long-distance and local commuters, its location across the Byram River--a natural border between Connecticut and New York--made it a key crossing point. The bridge's design reflects the utilitarian engineering of the era: sturdy, functional, and built to accommodate increasing volumes of automobile and freight traffic. Over the decades, it has undergone multiple renovations and structural upgrades to meet modern safety standards and traffic demands. These include reinforcement of its superstructure, resurfacing, and drainage improvements, especially in response to flooding events like the 2007 nor'easter, which affected several crossings along the Byram River. Despite its rather utilitarian and practical appearance it has silently observed the transformation of American mobility, from postwar optimism to the intricacies of 21st-century infrastructure. As it connects not only two towns but two states, it continues to be an important conduit in the Northeast Corridor and serves as a reminder that even the most modest structures can bear the burden of time and development. [Review 1054 of 2025 - 107 in Connecticut - 24608 overall]

This marker is along Townsend next to the historic Fort Wooster Park…read more On the front, "Sacred grounds of the Quinnipiac Indians and one of the earliest reservations in the New World Battle site of the American patriots against the British forces during the invasion of New Haven on July 5, 1779. Location of a hilltop beacon to warn of approaching enemy ships during the War of 1812, site of earthen ramparts and a black powder cellar." And it continues, "This coastal Algonquian tribe numbered about 250 members when the English colonists arrived in 1638. They practiced a variety of activities: fishing, clamming, farming of beans, squash & corn, gathering of nuts, berries & roots and hunting game animals & birds. They lived in wigwams covered with rush mats, skins or bark. Travel was by foot or dugouts. Clothing consisted of tanned hides decorated with feathers, porcupine quills & shell beads." On the reverse, "On November 24, 1638, the Quinnipiac leaders: Montowese, Sawseunek, Momaugin, Sugcogisin, Carroughood, Weesaucuck and Shaumpishuh signed a treaty with the Rev. John Davenport and Theophilus Eaton, which designated the east side of the harbor as a reservation of 1200 acres for the Native Americans. The Indian population gradually dwindled, some of the men serving in Great Britain's colonial wars. East Haven farmers pressured the Quinnipiacs to sell their reservation land. Many of the tribe migrated to Farmington to join the Tunxis Indians. In 1773 the last of the reservation land was sold. The Quinnipiacs as a tribe were gone forever from the area; however, as late as the mid-1800s, some members returned in the summer to fish, clam, sell baskets and help farmers with haying." The marker was erected in 2001. [Review 1061 of 2025 - 114 in Connecticut - 24615 overall]

You'll see it on a small Town Green at PT Barnum Square, facing Glenwood Avenue. The image is…read morefamiliar- a "doughboy" - the popular term for a World War One infantry soldier. I did some research and found that this particular statue (named Spirit of the American Doughboy) was so popular that over 100 of them can be found in WW I monuments across the nation. The sculptor was E.M. Viquesney and his awesome statue measures over seven feet tall and sits on a 6 foot high granite pedestal. I love the detail on these old statues -check out the rifle in his left hand, the grenade in his right hand. Check out the detail on the backpack and the canteen and the tree stumps and strands of barbed wire. The simple inscription reads: Erected By The Community Association Of Bethel In Honor Of Her War Veterans 1928

"They took all the trees put 'em in a tree museum And they…read morecharged the people a dollar an' a half just to see 'em" (Joni Mitchell) The Fairfield Museum is undergoing renovations and we could just see two exhibits. The admission fee was accordingly waived for us. One exhibit was on quilts. The exhibits were drawn from their extensive textile collection. These colorful scenes of early New England life were gorgeous. If you ever wanted to know how quilts are pieced and stitched together or if you're just a quilt lover, you will enjoy this exhibit. The second exhibit was a biggie -it drew a TV crew (Cable Connecticut 12) into the room to film a segment. Guess who made a 2 second guest appearance in their piece? Ever seen those childrens books abiut "Busytown" by Richard Scarry? He was a Fairfield native and quite a few of Fairfield's businesses and landmarks ended up in those books. The exhibit is an immersive experience that allows you to select one of his animal cartoon figures and walk through the colorful streets of Busytown. You can teach your kids how communities work, what jobs people have, learn about transportation and all kinds of interactive exhibits- think opening doors and reading things inside the door. This has got to be a blast for kids or a nostalgic visit for anyone who grew up on Scarry's books.

Great local history museum! The front desk had great resources and the exhibits were wonderful.read more

Impressions of the East Haven marker?…read more First of all, East Haven is really old, with a history tracing back to 1638. But paradoxically, it didn't become a "city" until the 1970s. Secondly, check out some of the awesome names on the marker. Theophilus Momaugin Lonotononket Jacob Heminway. Who's he? In 1701, he became the first student at Yale. This is a two-sided marker from the CT Historical Commission in the familiar white lettering on a blue background. It's located near town hall at the intersection of Main Street and Chidsey Avenue. Dedicated in 1976, the marker is in a deteriorating condition with many signs of peeling and chipping. The full inscription reads: This area, purchased by the Reverend John Davenport and Theophilus Eaton in 1638, was later known as East Farms. It was obtained from Indian sachems Momaugin and Mantowese. In 1639 Thomas Gregson, the first landowner, purchased Solitary Cove, later called Morris Cove. The first Connecticut ironworks was located in 1655 by Lake Saltonstall, formerly named Lonotononket, then Furnace Pond. East Farms became known as Iron Works Village, the third iron industry in the New England colonies. Jacob Heminway, the original Yale student, served as the first pastor (1704-1754) of the Congregational Church. In 1774 the Old Stone Church was erected; its first minister was Nicholas Street. This area was invaded in 1779 by British General William Tryon. During the Revolutionary War, Lafayette encamped on the green, revisiting it in 1824. In 1881 Fair Haven, Granniss Corners, and Morris Cove were ceded to New Haven. The Roosevelt Turkey Oak, a gift from President Theodore Roosevelt, was planted on the green in 1908. The initial town meeting (1785) named Isaac Chidsey First Selectman. The town became a city during the 1970's under Mayor Francis W. Messina Erected by the East Haven Historical Society and the Connecticut Historical Commission 1976

A fireman cradles a young girl in both of his arms as he carries her to safety. She clutches a…read moreteddy bear in her right hand. The fireman is talking to her, reassuring her. It's one of those simple monuments that is so eloquent and so powerful. The monument is located in a large park adjacent to the Post Road (Route 1) where the main drag is intersected by Quaker Lane. The metal sculpture sits on a stone base with the following inscription: To our Brave Volunteer Firefighters Past and Present From a Grateful Community October 7, 2000