Plumtrees School, Bethel, Connecticut

In 1866, this sight was donated by Eliza Benedict for the school. Construction was completed in 1867. At this time, Bethel had 5 school districts, grades first through eigth were taught in a one room schoolhouse. The school teacher would arrive very early to gather wood and warm the school before the children arrive.

In 1881, the Cupola and Bell were added. And, that same year an addition was made due to the lack of space for the overcrowded children.

In 1939, The Plumtrees School Association was formed to assist in maintance and supplies; they held lawn parties as social events, too.

In 1957, the school closed for renovations, for 90 years the students used the out-house and hand water pump, but now electricity and indoor plumbing was added. A new entramce that faces Tayler Road was also added.

In 1970, the school closed its doors, and relocated learning to the new school at the Educational Park. The school is named Anna H. Rockwell, so named after the teacher that taught at this school for 43 years.

2006, The Plumtrees Onroom Schoolhouse was placed on Connecticuts Registry of Historical Places.

Kent, Connecticut

Beautiful Kent, is located in Litchfield County, Connecticut. In Kent, there are several places to visit. Today, we chose to have a picnic at Kent Falls State Park. But, the admission was too high($15) to park, so we decided to go somewhere else. We ended up at Macedonia Brook State Park...and it was gorgious. The family had a great time, so did I. Macedonia State Park first opened in 1918 on 1,552 acres. Now, it has grown to a wopping 2,300 acres. This park is nestled after the Catskill and Taconic Mountains, and this area is the southern beginning of the Berkshire Plateau leading upto the Green Mountains of Vermont.

Then, we stopped at Bulls Bridge, one of three covered bridges in Connecticut, still in exsistence that were built in the 19th-century. Historically, George Washington crossed the Housitonic near Bulls Bridge in 1781. However, the bridge was built in 1842 out of timber. Covered bridges were covered because they were made out of wood, to slow down the rotting of the timber. Bulls Bridge was placed on the National Register of Historical Places in 1979.

Kent is an artists town, next visit to Kent will include: Kent Falls State Park, and a walk through Kent. But, please enjoy these pictures, as much as I enjoyed taking them.

Bethel, Connecticut

Bethel, Connecticut is located in Fairfield County, about 60 miles north of New York City. Bethel was first settled around 1700. The first homes were built around 1720, as part of the near by city Danbury. In 1855, Bethel seceded from Danbury to become its own incorporated town. Bethel means "House of El(God)".

Several homes and areas in Bethel have been placed on the National Register of Historical Places. Most notably Greenwood Avenue, PT Barnum Square(Pictured). Historical homes include, "The Greatest Showman on Earth", P.T. Barnums childhood home (Yellow Home Pictured). Other areas, include "The Old Burying Grounds" where revolutionary war soilders were laid to rest nearly 200 years ago (Pictured). During the revolutionary war in 1777, Bethel served as a resting area for revolutuionary war soilders,and American Continental Army Generals, such as Brigadier General Benedict Arnold, Major General David Wooster and Brigadier General Gold S. Silliman. They were on their way to stop the British in nearby Danbury from burning a patriot supply depot, to say the least, the British did burn the depot and other areas of Danbury. Located in the center of town, Captain Daniel Hicock, stayed at this home during this engagement. At that time, it was a tavern and hotel(Pictured).

Bethel, during the early 1900s served as one of the leading towns, besides Danbury, to manufacture hats. This area produced 25% of the nations hats, thus this area(Danbury/Bethel)is nicknamed "The Hat City" or "The Hatting Capitol of the World"

Bethel is home to notable lead singer, Thurston Moore, of Sonic Youth. And, movie star Meg Ryan. Cannondale bicycles are headquartered here, along with Duracell batteries.

New England

Well folks, we moved to Connecticut. The New England area is rich with history; please, stay connected for updates and new exciting places to see.