2 SPECIAL EDITION: WETHERSFIELD COMES BACK! June 2020 Welcome! Like many towns and cities across the nation and the world, the Wethersfield COVID-19 pandemic and the subsequent shiutdown hit Wethersfield hard. But it certainly wasn’t the first crisis our town has faced since it was founded way back in 1634. And just like in years past we have pulled together, weathered the storm and are starting to blossom once Heritage Walk again. Businesses are re-opening all over town (see listings, pages 4-11). Visitors have returned to stroll the charming streets of Old Wethersfield. But we won’t fully recover economically overnight. We can all do our The Wethersfield Heritage Walk is a three Wethersfield from a frontier settlement to a mile long, self-guided tour consisting of a bustling colonial port, a thriving agricultural part to speed things up by shopping locally. As you’ll see on the series of twenty-two interpretive markers that village, a growing suburb and now a leader in following pages, there’s no shortage of businesses to choose from! highlight points of historical significance historic preservation. There is a small map on throughout Old Wethersfield. each of the markers to help you along the Wethersfield has a rich cultural, historical way. Enjoy Wethersfield’s grand history and and architectural heritage stretching back its role in the story of America. over four centuries. As you walk, run, drive or The Wethersfield Heritage Walk was Webb-Deane-Stevens Museum to bike along our streets you can learn the developed through a partnership between intriguing stories of the native American the Town of Wethersfield, Wethersfield Reopen with Big Plans for Wethersfield Wangunks, early settlers, farmers, ship Historical Society, the Webb-Deane-Stevens The Webb-Deane-Stevens (WDS) will be required for all guests and staff. Hand builders, sea captains, slaves, soldiers, seed Museum, the Wethersfield Tourism Museum is gearing up for reopening on sanitizer and gloves will be available and new merchants, onion maidens, patriots, diplo- Commission and many interested residents. Wednesday, June 24, and nearing completion traffic-flow protocols have been established. mats, prisoners, home builders and preserva- The project was also assisted by grants from of a new, $6.5-million Education and Visitor Guided tours include a fascinating look at tionists. Connecticut Humanities and the Hartford Center that will bring exciting changes to the 1752 Joseph Webb House, where General You will observe the growth and change of Foundation for Public Giving. Wethersfield. George Washington met with General “The Webb-Deane-Stevens Museum is a Rochambeau; the 1770 Silas Deane House, 9. Pequot War: (East Side Broad St. Wethersfield’s role in America’s national treasure,” says WDS Acting Co- built for America’s first diplomat to France, Green): first war. Director Cynthia Riccio. “When people hear and the 1788 Isaac Stevens House, which for the first time that General George demonstrates Connecticut life in the 18th and 10. Old Academy: (150 Main St.): Private Washington met French General Rocham - 19th centuries. school, Reverend Joseph Emerson, First beau here in the Webb House, and planned When the new Education and Visitor High School, Churches, home to the march that ultimately led to the end of the Center opens later this year, WDS will be Wethersfield Historical Society. Revolutionary War, they are proud, and often able to offer year-round, hands-on program- 11. Red Onion: (56 Hartford Ave.): astonished, that Connecticut served as a ming for the public, school groups, and pri- Significance of this vegetable as a local foundry for our fledgling democracy.” vate-tour groups. The center will also add industry, West Indies Trade, Onion Maidens and William Meggat seed grower. 12. James Francis House: (120 Hartford Ave.): The Francis family, homebuild- ing, Sophia Woodhouse and local inven- tions. 13. Millionaires’ Row: (Standish Park - Corner Hartford Ave and Nott St.): Suburbanization, homebuilders, trolleys and estates. 14. State Prison: (220 Hartford Ave.): The history of the Connecticut State Prison and the Solomon Welles House. 15. State Prison Cemetery: (Cove Park- State St.): Unmarked burying grounds for prison inmates. 16. Cove Warehouse: (533 Main St.): Last remaining 17th century warehouse, mar- itime trade and museum. 1. Keepers of History: (222 Main St.): 17. Hanmer Park: (Main Street corner Individuals and organizations that played River Rd.): Neighborhood was home to a prominent role in local historic preser- many residents who made their living vation efforts. from the river and the sea. 2. Comstock, Ferre & Co.: (263 Main 18. Cradle of American Seed Companies: St.): History of the American commer- (304 Main St.): Agriculture, the cial seed industry and the role of Wethersfield seed industry and the histo- Comstock Ferre & Co. ry of the Charles C. Hart Seed 3. First Church: (250 Main St.): Public Company. Common, the Fundamental Orders, A. Keeney Memorial Center: (200 Main Colonial Meetinghouse, Yale College. St.): Heritage Walk orientation kiosk 4. Hurlbut-Dunham House: (212 Main with map. Four centuries of Wethersfield St.): Home to several prominent history, Museum, High School, Wethersfield families, Captain Hurlbut Governor Thomas Welles Elementary and the China trade. School and Visitor Center. Public rest 5. Ancient Burying Ground: (99 Marsh rooms and parking available here. St.): One of Connecticut’s oldest burial B. Webb-Deane-Stevens Museum: (211 grounds, gravestone art, notable burials, Main St.): Life in Colonial Connecticut Freedom Trail site. Wethersfield, Webb House, George 6. Buttolph-Williams House: (249 Broad Washington’s visit, Silas Deane’s House, St.): Early colonial architecture, National America’ s first diplomat. Historic Landmark, Connecticut Witch Riccio notes that WDS has been diligently much-needed exhibition and public-meeting C. Cove Park: (533 Main St.): Importance Trials and the setting for the novel the following state guidelines for reopening and spaces, facilities for research, and handi- of the Connecticut River, early settle- Witch of Blackbird Pond. will initially offer tours of the museum’s three capped access in the Webb House. The ment of Wethersfield, Connecticut’s first houses on a part-time, limited basis. Tours in expansion will also boost the museum’s 7. First Town: (East Side Broad St. seafaring vessel, port of distribution. groups of no more than four people will be already considerable economic impact on the Green): First English settlement, early D. Broad Street Green: (Corner of Broad offered at 10 a.m., noon, and 2 p.m. every surrounding community, benefitting area home sites, the Ten Adventurers, John St. and Constitution Way): First Wednesday through Saturday, and on businesses and bolstering Wethersfield’s her- Oldham and daughter towns. English settlers, Wethersfield’s militia- Sundays at 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. Advance reser- itage tourism. 8. The Wangunk: (East Side Broad St. men, the nation’s first cavalry unit, vations may be made by calling Riccio at For more information visit www.webb- Green): History of the Wangunk tribe Revolutionary War, architecture, note- 860-529-0612, ext. 12, or emailing her at deane-stevens.org or call Riccio at (860)529- and interaction with early English set- worthy trees and the Great Elm of [email protected]. Masks 0612, ext. 12. tlers. Wethersfield . June 2020 SPECIAL EDITION: WETHERSFIELD COMES BACK! 3 Old Wethersfield Meets the New Wethersfield The Borden Mixed Use Residential Community Arrives to Anchor and Reposition the Silas Deane Corridor Last week Lexington Partners, LLC through its con- sophisticated air filtration system in apartments and struction arm, InnoConn Construction Management com- in our common area amenity spaces which identify pleted its work on The Borden, named after the former and eradicate bacteria, virus, mold and an assort- dairy farm site on the Silas Deane Highway in ment of other volatile organic compounds to pro- Wethersfield that occupied the parcel many years ago. The vide optimum air quality in our premises which are Borden today consists of two buildings on approximately brand new and never been lived in before. 6 acres that houses a total of 150 apartments and 19,000 s/f The lifestyle Lexington created at The Borden of commercial/retail space and plentiful parking. The first appeals to “renters by choice” whether they be phase of The Borden, 1160 Silas Deane Highway was young working millennials who may have grown completed in October 2019 and consists of 39 apartments up in Town or downsizing empty nesters who are on floors 2-4 which are currently 90% occupied and 8,000 looking for the modern conveniences and amenity s/f of commercial space that is fully occupied by Dolan lifestyle without the big house and associated carry- Dental Group and Berkshire Hathaway Real Estate ing costs. Brokerage. Phase II of The Borden, 1178 Silas Deane Lexington loves and appreciate the architecture Highway, houses the five-story brand-new structure with a and history of “Old Wethersfield”. We have worked compelling iconic design that houses 111 apartments on hard to create a neighborhood that embarks on a floors 2-5 and ground floor retail of about 8,000 s/f feet. “New Wethersfield”; an iconic and purposely mod- The Borden community features a bevy of amenity fea- ern looking development that delivers vitality and tures which include a spectacular roof-top lounge, 5th coolness that appeals to our young residents and the floor community room, a pet spa, dog park, electric car young at heart. The Borden was intended to create chargers, a fully appointed fitness center, ground floor some excitement architecturally and appeal to its lounge with a commercial kitchen area for cooking class- active residents with pursuits both indoors and out- es and gatherings with flat screens etc. Package concierge side. We have added features to the former office stations are in both buildings.