Locally Grown History

04/27/2026

🌲 Great Mountain Forest Nature Writers Retreat — August 7–9, 2026 🌲
This August, discover inspiration where nature meets the written word. Join us for the First Annual Nature Writers Retreat at the historic Yale Camp, nestled in the heart of Great Mountain Forest, Falls Village, CT.
What to Expect:
🔸 Six exclusive workshops led by award-winning authors and experts
🔸 Guided field observations, reflective writing sessions, and vibrant discussion
🔸 Opportunities to reflect on the legacy of Hal Borland, legendary NYT nature columnist
🔸 A chance to have your work published in our online anthology this fall
🔸 Delicious meals and refreshments included
🔸 Optional onsite accommodations
Special Early bird registration ends May 31 — final deadline July 24. Limited spots available to ensure rich engagement.

📚 Writers of all levels are welcome. Student discounts available by request.
Learn more & register:
greatmountainforest.org/writing-retreat-2026

✉️ WritingRetreat@greatmountainforest.org 📞 860-824-8188
Immerse yourself in one of New England’s most storied landscapes and let your creativity flourish.

11/24/2025

11/24/2025

🎄🏠 Step Inside the Holiday Magic! ✨Get inspired at the Ridgefield Holiday House Tour—a cherished annual tradition where elegance, history, and festive design come together in perfect harmony.
🏡 Step inside six uniquely stunning homes, each beautifully styled by talented interior designers and welcoming homeowners. Discover how timeless holiday style is artfully woven into every corner!

📅 Saturday, December 6, 2025
🕘 Choose a timed entry at 9:00 a.m., 11:00 a.m., or 1:00 p.m.
🎟️ Start your day at the historic Lounsbury House—pick up your tickets, shop the curated Holiday Market, and enter to win fabulous raffle prizes from local businesses!

🚌 Relax and ride! Enjoy complimentary bus transportation from home to home, with two convenient stops near Lounsbury House.

For tickets https://ridgefieldhistoricalsociety.org/programs-events/house-tour
📩 Questions? Reach out at info@ridgefieldhistoricalsociety.org or call 203-438-5821.

10/14/2025

🚴‍♂️🍂 Ready to Ride Into Autumn Splendor? 🍁🚴‍♀️
Join us for the Tour de Forest Biking event on October 18th—your ticket to experiencing the breathtaking fall colors of Norfolk’s Great Mountain Forest! 🌲Whether you’re a seasoned gravel rider or a beginner looking for adventure, there’s a route just for you:
🚵 30-mile Icebox Gravel Route: Challenge yourself with an epic ride! Starts at 9:30 am.
🚵 13-mile Tour de Forest: Enjoy the classic and scenic route! Starts at 10 am.
🚵 Explore one of Connecticut’s largest undeveloped woodland areas with a friendly community of fellow cyclists.
🚵‍♂️🍂 Registration is simple! Reserve your spot today: http://www.bikereg.com/norfolk-ct-tour-de-forest

05/24/2025

🇺🇸🏡 Did You Know? A Piece of American History Happened Right Here at the Glebe House! From 1771 to 1786, the Glebe House was home to Rev. John Rutgers Marshall, his wife Sarah, their nine children, and three enslaved people. Rev. Marshall, originally from New York City, became Woodbury’s first Anglican minister during a time when being Anglican in New England wasn’t easy—many faced suspicion for being loyal to the British crown. But the story doesn’t end there...Just weeks after American independence was secured, something extraordinary happened inside those very walls. A brave group of Connecticut Anglican clergy gathered secretly at the Glebe House. Their mission? To shape a new future for their faith in the newly born nation.
From that meeting came a historic decision: they elected Rev. Dr. Samuel Seabury to travel to London and seek approval from Parliament to become the first Bishop in the New World. This bold move helped lay the groundwork for religious tolerance and the separation of church and state—cornerstones of the American identity.
✨ The Glebe House isn’t just a beautiful historical site—it's a place where a new nation’s ideals were put into action.
📍Come visit and walk through the rooms where history was made and join us at our 100 Year Gala Cheers to 100 years https://www.glebehousemuseum.org/general-4

04/14/2025

🌍 Norfolk Earth Day Forum 2025 is Coming! 🌿 On April 25–27, 2025 in the beautiful town of Norfolk, CT for a weekend that celebrates the wonders of nature and the power of community. This year’s theme:"Our Glorious Northwest Corner: Celebrating the Connectedness of All" Get ready for 8 inspiring events over 3 unforgettable days, all focused on biodiversity, conservation, and our deep connection to the natural world.
🌱 Highlights Include:
Opening Night Lecture & Film 🎬Tim Abbott, Conservation Director of the Housatonic Valley Association, will kick things off with a powerful talk on local conservation, followed by the documentary “A Road Not Taken”.
Nature Walks & Talks 🌳Explore the hidden lives of trees, spring wildflowers, and Connecticut’s birds with expert naturalists and conservationists.
Family Fun on Sunday 🐸Bring the kids for a Toad House Craft Workshop, and meet some fascinating reptiles and amphibians with Roaring Brook Nature Center.
A Grand Finale Concert 🎶End the weekend with Paul Winter’s awe-inspiring concert, “This Glorious Earth,” at the Church of Christ.

📍 For full schedule & event details, visit:👉 www.norfolkhub.org/norfolk-earth-forum

Let’s celebrate the wonders of our natural world—together. 🌎💚

04/09/2025

to celebrate in Norfolk with Great Mountain Forest, Roaring Brook Nature Center, Housatonic Valley Association, and many more - plus a Paul Winter concert ! For more information https://janetserra.com/2025/04/09/norfolk-earth-forum-2025-a-celebration-of-nature-and-community-april-25-april-27/

03/27/2025

Celebrate Earth Day with Great Mountain Forest! 🌱
Since April 22, 1970, Earth Day has gone from a single event to a worldwide movement 🌎—celebrated in over 193 countries!
It’s all about coming together to protect and preserve this incredible planet we call home.✨ This year, for Great Mountain Forest’s Earth Day
events in Norfolk! 🌿 We’ve planned inspiring programs:
Saturday April 6th at 1:00 PM - Spring Ephemeral Wildflower Walk!
Sunday April 7th at 1:00 PM - Build a Toad House!
At GMF, we believe Earth Day isn’t just one day! It’s a powerful call to action to build a greener, more🌍 sustainable future for everyone. 💪💚
🌱 Will you join us? Let’s make every day Earth Day!
👉 Email Vicki@GreatMountainForest.org to get registration information

01/15/2025

🎿 Celebrate 99 Years of Tradition at Jumpfest in Salisbury! 🎉
Mark your calendars! 🗓️ Jumpfest 2025 is just around the corner, happening January 31 - February 2. This iconic event, now in its 99th year, is a cherished tradition in Salisbury, featuring:
The thrilling Human Dog Sled Race 🐕❄️
Exciting ski jumps at 20, 30, and 70-meter hills
The Junior National Ski Jumping Championships
But that's not all! This year, don’t miss The Jump, a heartwarming new program by CPTV. This inspiring film tells the extraordinary story of Salisbury’s dedicated community, who came together to save their beloved ski jump. 🌟 It’s a tale of resilience, volunteerism, and local pride, featuring a heroic Salisbury athlete who overcame polio and went on to represent the U.S. at the 1956 Winter Olympics in Italy. 🇺🇸❄️ The Jump is now available online:
https://www.ctpublic.org/watch/collaborative-features/the-jump
And on YouTube:
https://youtu.be/7V0MttFiRFc?si=5PlmRyKSee-Ka6QL
Come for the jumps, stay for the history, and be part of this amazing tradition. 🏔️✨
📍 See you at Jumpfest, January 31 - February 2!

In a heartwarming story of small-town magic, the townspeople of Salisbury, Connecticut, unite to save their cherished ski jump spurred by a can-do spirit of ...

09/30/2024

Hardstem bullrush is in the Sedge Family, which is composed of perennial or annual grass-like herbs. They are not actually grasses because their stem and leaves are arranged differently. There are countless ways the Indigenous People of North America used this handy rush both for practical purposes and for medicinal remedies. Check out our new blog to find out more https://nativeamericanmuseum.blogspot.com/2024/09/medicinal-monday-hardstem-bullrush.html

09/05/2024

Classic Litchfield Hills...check out this great article.

Breathing new life into a 1700s Litchfield County pile, Elizabeth Roberts Architects employed its contemporary approach without sacrificing any character

08/29/2024

What a huge and important undertaking! One of Connecticut's top winter events is Jumpfest hosted by the Salisbury Winter Sports Association ( SWSA )- an amazing organization and wonderful event.

It is almost the end of August and we are halfway to reaching our fundraising goal to build a new 30-meter jump, regrade the landing hills update the lighting, and resurface the landing hills for plastic so training can take place throughout the year. We would like to thank all of our donors for their generous contributions -- they will help us keep Salisbury Jumping for decades! The Salisbury Winter Sports Association, an all-volunteer organization welcomes and relies on the contributions of donors to support the ongoing renovations of Satre Hill in Salisbury, Connecticut. Donations can be made by going to jumpfest.org and clicking on the donate button. Checks can be made payable to SWSA, and mailed to Salisbury Winter Sports Association, P.O. Box 196, Salisbury, CT 06068.