BROWN DRUM

Bloomfield, CT - The Browns of Wintonbury (now known as Bloomfield) are famous drum makers. It is said that Brown is to a drummer as Stradivarius is to a violinist. This statue pays tribute to Brown Drums. Peter Brown appears on the records in Windsor Connecticut in 1658. Two of his descendents were barrel makers and one was a tanner, both are needed in drum manufacturing. Some of these drums were used in the Revolutionary War. The drum business flourished until the middle of the eighteen hundreds, the most recent surviving drum is labeled 1848. Some of these drums are still being used by the Moodus (CT) Fife and Drum Corp. and the Mattatuck (Waterbury, CT) Drum Corp. ( I was a fifer in this band for a number of years).

Info: www.bloomfieldcthistor.org
 

PARK-MCCULLOUGH HOUSE

North Bennington, VT - Built as a summer cottage in 1865 for lawyer-entrepreneur-philanthropist Trenor Park and his wife Laura, the mansion was financed with a fortune amassed in California in the aftermath of the California Gold Rush. It was designed by the New York architectural firm of Diaper and Dudley and it is considered one of the finest and best-preserved Victorian houses and one of the earliest French Second Empire residences in the U.S. In 1891 President Benjamin Harrison was a guest here during the festivities surrounding the celebration of the centennial of the Vermont statehood and the dedication of the Bennington Battle Monument. Former residents include two Vermont governors: Hiland Hall, Mrs. Park's father, and John McCullough, the Park's son-in-law.


Info: Vermont Division for Historic Preservation
 

This is the playhouse beside the Park-McCullough House.
 

POWERS MARKET

North Bennington, VT - This is a photo of Powers Market in North Bennington, VT. I couldn't find out much about this store but from what I could find out that this store is a quite a landmark in North Bennington. One thing I did find out was that in 1948, Shirley Jackson after visiting Powers went home and wrote "The Lottery" in two hours; which is said to be "one of the most chilling and memorable short stories of the 20th century" (VT Magazine).

You even get a bonus moose shot.
 

ROADSIDE BEAVER

Lee, MA - I passed by this BIG BEAVER on my way home from Bennington and I just had to take a photo. This guy is in front of the Beaver Self Storage lot and really draws your attention. He is about 10 or 12 feet high I guess, and sits on a wagon. Who knows they might take him out for a ride once in a while.
 

THE UNITED STATES POST OFFICE AND COURTHOUSE

New Haven, CT - The United States Post Office and Courthouse was constructed in 1913-19 as the city's second Federal building; designed by New York architect James Gamble Rogers. The building is located on the west side of the New Haven green. The building was slated for demolition in the 1960's in an urban renewal scheme but it was saved by a coalition of Federal judges and local preservationist. It was restored in the early 1980's at a cost of over 7 million dollars. Upon completion, the building was devoted to the Judiciary and the Department of Justice, and renamed the United States Courthouse
 

MOOSEFEST PHOTOS 2

This is the Salvadore Dali moose. 

Here is a moose that is going through a window. Half the moose is outside and the other is inside. 

This moose has the Bennington War Memorial painted on its side. Matching antlers and hoofs too. 

NEW HAVEN CITY HALL

New Haven, CT - This photo is of the New Haven City Hall. It was designed by Henry Austin in 1861. It has a neo-gothic stone facade and boasts an elegant clock on the buildings spire. When I saw it I couldn't believe that this building was still being used as City Hall.

Info: www.yaledailynews.com
 

HENRY COVERED BRIDGE

Bennington, VT - The Henry Bridge is named for Elnathan Henry who had a house across the street from the bridge. The bridge spans the Wallomsac River and was originally constructed in 1840; in 1989 it was reconstructed. It is 117 feet long, 11.8 ft wide and 8.7 feet high.

Info from: www.bennington.com
 

Looking into the bridge.
 

BENNINGTON MOOSEFEST

Bennington, VT - Is in the middle of a Moosefest; all over the city and surrounding areas are these decorated / painted moose. Here is one very colorful moose. They run the gamete from funky to realistic art; all are wonderful. I will be showing more in a few days.
 

Moose tracks between moose...what else.
 

Here is a moose with a painting of the four corners in Bennington.

For more info: www.benningtonmoosefest.com
 

BENNINGTON POTTERY

Bennington, VT - This weekend my wife and I went up to Bennington Vermont. I dropped her off at Bennington Pottery and I took off to take some photos. I returned about 75 minutes later and she had purchased a set of dishes that she has wanted for a few years now, from the factory seconds. I will be posting the photos I took on this trip for the next week or so.

This is a photo of the Pottery Store; the factory is in the back.
 

These are the dishes that my wife bought; they go very nicely with our table.
 

TURKEY IN THE STRAW

Well at least Turkey in the grass. Actually, this is a mother turkey and three of her chicks. One is visible about two feet in front of her. I passed by them with my car and they were in plain sight but by the time I turned around they had run into the grass. 

THE PUBLICK HOUSE

Sturbridge, MA - Founded in 1771 by Colonel Ebenezer Crafts, this Inn became a favorite spot for teamsters to stop while traveling the Post Road from Boston to Albany. In 1824 the Inn was visited by General Lafayette and his son George Washington Lafayette, but he was late and he never made it past the taproom before he had to go on his way. Travelers still stop at the Inn but instead of the Post Road; travelers are taking Route 84 or the Massachusetts Turnpike, or as everyone calls it the "Mass Pike". I eat here often and really enjoy the Yankee cuisine. Before dinner they give you a bread basket with excellent sticky buns.

Info from: www.publickhouse.com
 

The signpost in front of the Publick House.
 

MONTEREY LIBRARY

Monterey, MA - I found this cute little library in Monterey Massachusetts.  

LILY PAD POND

Here is a photo of a pond that I came upon during a ride in the Massachusetts countryside.  

SOUTH STREET LITCHFIELD

Litchfield, CT - Here is a view of down the sidewalk beside South Street in Litchfield, just up from the Tapping Reeve Law School. It has the look and feel of a village.
 

LITCHFIELD HISTORY MUSEUM

Litchfield, CT - This is the Litchfield History Museum located across from the green. It highlights life in exhibits of clothing, furniture, paintings, and other things from the fifty years after the Revolutionary War when Litchfield was a center for commerce, education, and politics.
 

STRATHMORE PAPER MILL

Woronoco, MA - This is a typical setting for many old mills that were setup years ago. Most are along rivers to be used for power and/or to dump waste products. This is a common scene along many rivers in New England, especially southern New England.