It has been a whirlwind journey from Mystic Seaport heading northbound and westward to take in "The Constitution State" as it is nicknamed. Historic Wethersfield settled in 1634 is a primer of American colonial architecture from the 18th to 20th centuries. We took a worthwhile private tour of the Webb-Deane-Stevens Museum which is a trio of houses that depict the dwellings of three different 18th-century Americans; a diplomat, tanner, and merchant.
Each house has been restored and furnished by the Colonial Dames. The Deane house hosted George Washington for five days in Wethersfield while he met with French allies Commodates Rochambeau and Lafayette to plan the Battle at Yorktown in 1781. Seeing the bedroom where George Washington once slept and had his headquarters for a few days was exciting.
It became good lucky that the Asian Festival and Dragon Boat Races happened to fall on the weekend we arrived in Hartford. Along Riverfront Plaza some sixty dragon boat crews were competing against one another. It was also a wonderful chance to enjoy Asian dancers and musicians perform.
The other highlight there was spending an afternoon at the Mark Twain House and Museum Center. This beloved American author, born as Samuel Clemens, had once worked as a riverboat pilot on the Mississippi where he had to “mark twain” for twelve foot depths. Later as a writer, he penned the name Mark Twain based upon his many fond memories of days on the river.
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| Mark Twain lego model |
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| This Twain impostor with his beard and receding hairline is a dead gave-away |
Passing through Bristol to the west meant a visit to the Carousel Museum of New England. Here is where we did lots of horsing around you might say. The restoration of old carousel pieces were really quite lovely. Watching a Wurlitzer piano playing merry-go-round music was indeed a hoot.
Sadly until 1970, these glorious antiques were all to often destroyed when they were no longer able to carry riders.
Thankfully folks saw the value of these irreplaceable treasures, and dedicated artisains are returning them to their original splendor.
Next came Litchfield Hills which covers one-quarter of the state in the northwesternmost section. Nestled in the folds and foothills of the lush green covered mountains brought a day excursion rolling through quaint little hamlets of 26 towns and villages in what literally could easily be deemed Quintessential America.
Taking the road less traveled often brings the best of discoveries on the journey we find.
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| Imagine hauling a dory atop your car for a year. |
