History Fanatics We Have Some Fun For You!
A weekend of really cool places to go with historical importance for couples, families and friends!
Please use this link to download and take this itinerary with you, Step Back in Time PDF
Start your weekend by experiencing the style and comfort of an historic inn and bed & breakfast in CT’s Quiet Corner:
Daniel Rust House, https://www.thedanielrusthouse.com/
2011 Main St, Coventry
860-742-0032
“The Daniel Rust House is filled with period antiques, serves home baked goodies, and is dog friendly. Beautiful gardens and idyllic grounds perfect for evening strolls.” Other great places to stay:
Fitch House Bed & Breakfast, https://www.fitchhouse.com/
563 Storrs Rodd, Mansfield Center
310-868-4445
Stone Arches Bed & Breakfast, https://www.stonearchesbnb.com/
614 Storrs Rd, Mansfield Center
860-429-2269
Henrietta House B&B and Red House Farm, http://www.historichenriettahousebnbct.com/
125 Ashford Center Rd, Ashford
860-477-0318
Graduate Storrs Hotel, http://www.graduatestorrs.com
855 Bolton Rd, Storrs
860-427-7888
Wake up with fresh coffee and fabulous breakfast from any of these great places:
That Breakfast Place https://www.facebook.com/thatbreakfastplacect/
37 Boston Post Road, Willimantic
860-456-8011
This is no ordinary breakfast café. Enjoy fresh roasted coffee in a variety of flavors, unique and delicious menu specials like Ham & Asparagus Benedict, Raspberry Ricotta French Toast, homemade breads, Carrot Cake Pancakes or Salmon Flatbreads.
Spring Hill Café, https://www.facebook.com/SpringHillCafe/
1029 Storrs Road, Storrs
860-477-0975
Sip on freshly brewed gourmet coffee, enjoy home baked pastries or items from their gluten-free menu, as well as smoothies and a variety of cupcakes. Make sure you take one for later!
Aero Diner, https://www.facebook.com/50sdinerllc/
361 Boston Post Rd, N. Windham
860-450-1959
1950’s retro diner
Hoppy Days Diner, https://www.facebook.com/Hoppydaysdiner
931 Main St, Willimantic
860-456-3344
Now it’s time to start your adventure by finding these amazing places and learning what happened there long ago:
Day 1: 18th Century America Windham/Scotland
Windham Center Green
Routes 203 & 14, Windham
Stroll around a historic green in Windham Center Green where all the architecture is well over a century old.
Points of Interest: Town Green, Charter Oak Tree Descendant, Dr. Hunt Office c. 1790, Rochambeau Route
Samuel Huntington Homestead Museum, https://www.lebanonct.gov/history–lebanon–ct/pages/town–green
36 Huntington Road (Rt 14), Scotland
860-423-6862
The birthplace of Samuel Huntington, a signer of the Declaration of Independence and a distinguished statesman during the Revolutionary War and early Republic.
While you are there…
Raspberry Knoll Farm, https://www.raspberryknoll.com/
163 North Windham Rd, Rt. 203, N. Windham
860-786-7486
Illiano’s Italian & Pizzeria, http://illianosofcolchester.com/windham/
361 Boston Post Rd, N. Windham
860-942-8899
The Vineyard at Hillyland, https://www.thevineyardathillyland.com/
75 Murphy Hill Rd, Scotland
860-786-7770
Lebanon
Lebanon Town Green, https://www.lebanonct.gov/history–lebanon–ct/pages/town–green Routes 207 and 87, Lebanon
The largest existing green (mile long) in America, still used for the same agricultural purposes as in the 18th century. The sites connected to the American Revolution are unrivaled. Governor Trumbull, the only colonial governor that was a patriot not a loyalist, used his position and his fortune to plan the war from his little store. George Washington said,
“Had it not been for brother Jonathan the war would not have reached a successful conclusion.”
Governor Jonathan Trumbull House Museum, https://www.govtrumbullhousedar.org/
169 West Town St, Lebanon
860-642-7558
War Office, https://www.facebook.com/waroffice/
149 West Town St, Lebanon
860-873-3399
Jonathan Trumbull Jr. House Museum, https://www.facebook.com/JTrumbullJr.Museum/
780 Trumbull Highway, Rt. 87, Lebanon
860-642-6100
Congregational Church, https://www.lebanonfirstcong.org/history Designed by John Trumbull, Painter of the American Revolution.
While you are there…..
Brick Barn Antiques, https://www.facebook.com/Brick–Barn–Antiques–189215254460680/
1004 Exeter Rd, Lebanon
860-468-5115
Lebanon Green Vineyards, https://lebanongreenvineyards.wordpress.com/
589 Exeter Rd, Lebanon
860-222-4644
Columbia
On your way to Coventry, the scenic route will take you through Columbia Village, the site of a famous school. Reverend Eleazar Wheelock taught English to the indigenous peoples and his school is the origin of Dartmouth College in NH. Other school teachers ahead of their time were Nathan Hale, who believed women/girls should go to school 1775 and Canterbury’s Prudence Crandall who was arrested and attacked for teaching black girls in 1833.
Columbia Moor’s Charity School c. 1755, https://historicbuildingsct.com/moors–charity–school–1754/
located behind the Congregational Church at the corner of Rt. 325 and Rt. 87.
While you are there…..
Heartstone Farm & Winery, https://www.heartstonewinery.com/
486 Rt. 87, Columbia
860-337-0162
Trailside Treasures, https://www.facebook.com/TrailsideTreasure/
26 Rt. 66, Columbia
860-214-9459
By The Pond, https://www.facebook.com/By–The–Pond–414787402618567/
187 Rt. 66 East, Columbia
860-498-0272
Coventry
Nathan Hale Burying Ground, https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/2306/nathan–hale Cross Street, you will find the cemetery and the Memorial Green where parking is preferred.
Rising nobly on top of the hill, sits the obelisk for Nathan Hale’s cenotaph. A stroll through the ancient burying ground where most of the Hale family is buried (Hale had five brothers who also served in Rev War) summons you to remember the millions who sacrificed for our safety and freedom.
Nathan Hale Homestead, https://ctlandmarks.org/properties/nathan–hale–homestead/
Also, home of the Coventry Farmer’s Market (Market Sundays 11-2, June to Oct) 2299 South Street, Coventry
860-742-6917
Veterans Memorial Green & CT Vietnam Memorial, http://www.cvvm.org/ 234 Lake St, Coventry
Coventry Historic Walking Tours, https://www.coventryct.org/documentcenter/
While you are there…
Coventry Arts & Antiques, https://www.facebook.com/Coventry–Arts–and–Antiques–251203054996332/
1140 Main St, Coventry
860-498-0352
Nathan Hale Antique Center, https://www.facebook.com/NathanHaleAntiqueCenter/
1141 Main St, Coventry
860-498-7400
Steins Classic Antiques, https://steinsclassicantique.wixsite.com/home
1034 Main St, Coventry
860-498-0330
Preserved Antiques, https://www.facebook.com/Preserved.Antiques
1159 Main St, Coventry
860-759-2008
Memories Too Antique Center
2208 Boston Turnpike, Coventry
860-742-2865
Bidwell Tavern, https://thebidwelltavern.com/
1260 Main St, Coventry
860-742-6978
Lakeview Restaurant & Bar, https://lakeviewct.com/
50 Lake St, Coventry
860-498-0500
Outdoor dining & music,Italian American food on Coventry Lake
Coventry Farmers Market, https://www.coventryfarmersmarket.org/
2299 South Street, Coventry
Every Sunday
Cassidy Hill Vineyard, https://cassidyhillvineyard.com/
454 Cassidy Hill Rd, Coventry
860-498-1126
Day 2: 19th Century America – Mansfield
Gurleyville Grist Mill, https://joshuastrust.org/gurleyville–grist–mill/
Stonemill Rd, Mansfield
Visit an 1835 Grist Mill. It is the only stone grist mill in the state and contains a complete set of preserved milling equipment.
While you are there…
The Hoot, https://www.hootgifts.com/
86 Storrs Road, Mansfield
Lisa’s Chocolates and Gifts, https://www.facebook.com/lisaschocolatesandgifts/
534 Storrs Road, Mansfield
860-546-6897
Ellie’s Little Place, https://www.facebook.com/Ellies–Little–Place–147284419090710/
497 Storrs Rd, Mansfield Center
860-771-8284
Paperback Trader, https://m.facebook.com/ThePaperBackTrader/
522 Storrs Rd, Mansfield Center
860-456-0252
Fenton River Grill, https://willimanticbrewingcompany.com/
135 Storrs Road, Mansfield Center
860-786-7870
Dog Lane Café, https://doglanecafe.com/
1 Dog Lane, Storrs
860-429-4900
Maharaja Indian Restaurant, https://maharajaindianctonline.com/
466 Storrs Rd, Mansfield Center
860-942-8325
Farmer’s Cow Calfe & Creamery, https://thefarmerscowcalfe.com/
86 Storrs Road, Storrs
Daddy’s Noodle Bar, https://daddysnoodlebar.com/
1 Dog Lane, Suite A-103, Storrs
860-477-0999
Hops 44, https://www.hops44.com/beer–on–tap
625 Middle Turnpike, Storrs
860-477-1174
Amazing local beer
Pizza Mike’s Pizzeria, https://www.pizzamikes.com/
1659 Storrs Rd, Storrs
860-946-0606
Toast Four Corners, http://www.toastfourcorners.com/
625 Middle Turnpike, Storrs
860-477-1557
Gluten Free alternatives
UCONN Dairy Bar, https://dining.uconn.edu/uconn–dairy–bar/
17 Manter Rd, Storrs
860-486-1021
Yummiest ice cream around
Red Barn Creamery & Stearns Farm Stand, https://www.facebook.com/stearnsfarmstand/
483 Browns Rd, Storrs
860-382-2303
Willimantic
The Mill Museum, https://millmuseum.org/
411 Main Street, Willimantic
860-456-2178
In the 19th century the mighty rivers attracted the early water-powered mills that grew into industrial cities. One of the largest thread mills in the world was in Willimantic. The thread company was run-of-the-mill with immigrant operatives working 12 hour days. It was also famous for the world’s first factory built for electric lighting, first thread wound onto wooden spools, and the invention of the coffee break! Don’t miss the breathtaking views of the historic Garden on the Bridge that was replaced by the modern four lane Frog Bridge.
Connecticut Eastern Railroad Museum, http://www.cteastrrmuseum.org/
55 Bridge Street, Willimantic
The city was a major hub back in the days of rail roading. The trains brought the cotton bales and the immigrants.
While you are there…
Swift Waters Artisans Cooperative, https://www.swiftwaters.org/
866 Main St, Willimantic
860-456-8548
Landrop Comics and Game Center, https://www.facebook.com/Landrop–Comics–and–Game–Center–100156142055293/
750 Main St, Willimantic
860-423-3505
Willimantic Records, https://www.facebook.com/Willimantic–Records–237188439668014/
34 North St., Willimantic
860-450-7000
Rajeans’s Gifts, Antiques & Collectibles, https://www.rajeansgiftsantiques.com/
744 Main St, Willimantic
860-423-8040
Willimantic Brewing Company, https://willimanticbrewingcompany.com/
967 Main Street, Willimantic
860-423-6777
Oriental Café, https://www.facebook.com/OrientalCafeWillimantic/
1257 Main St, Willimantic
860-456-8885
Asian food and sushi
Stone Row Kitchen, https://stonerowkb.com/
956 Main St, Willimantic
860-423-4243
Fine dining indoors and out
Willimantic Food Co-Op, https://www.willimanticfood.coop/
91 Valley St, Willimantic
860-456-3611
If you would like more information on all the wonderful things you can do in this very beautiful part of Connecticut, you can find additional information and opportunities on www.ctvisit.com or you can call the Windham Region Chamber of Commerce at 860-428-7739 or email us at info@WindhamChamber.com. We know you will enjoy your Staycation with us!
Support for these adventures was made possible by the CT State Office of Tourism and the Eastern Region Tourism District, in partnership with Windham Arts, The Last Green Valley, and Liberty Bank Foundation.
Other sources of information for you to browse if you are visiting this area:
CT Tourism website with events, places, food, etc.: https://www.ctvisit.com/
The Last Green Valley, explore the outdoors: https://thelastgreenvalley.org/
