Tag: farmington-ct-indians

Posted in Coni Dubois, Ken Feder

100th Anniversary of People’s State Forest Oct 6th, 2024

Posted on by conidubois.com

Celebrating the 100th Anniversary of People’s State Forest in Barkhamsted, Connecticut is home to three of the state’s designated State Archaeological Preserves. Ken Feder directed the excavation of two: the metaphorically named Lighthouse community and the 2,850-year-old Walter Landgraf Soapstone Quarry.

On Sunday, October 6th, at Matthies Grove in Peoples State Forest, East River Road, Barkhamsted, FALPS and the State of Connecticut celebrated the true essence of the “Peoples” State Forest. Attendees delved into its founding, participated in forest-related activities, watched oxen pull logs to a portable sawmill and observed the loggers milling the wood. They enjoyed a chain carving contest and witnessed dignitaries plant a ceremonial tree, among many other engaging events.

Both Robert Starr and Ken Feder remarked that it was a splendid day filled with beauty and history.

FALPS : FALPS is a group that works diligently and tirelessly to improve our forests, keep the trails clear, build bog bridges and boardwalks and fun year-round hikes and events to benefit those who visit the area.

Note: I’ll add any newspaper article links or photos of the event as they come in. Unfortunately, I couldn’t make it to the event, but I can’t wait to see all the photos taken.

CT Visit & ct.org

L2R: Sites Archeologist Ken Feder &
Light House Descendant Robert Starr
Photo credit: Ken Feder
L2R: Ken Feder & Ginny Apple
L2R: Ginny Apple & Robert Starr – Photo credit: Robert Starr
Ken Feder Photo credit: Robert Starr
Display by: Ginny Apple (based off archeological places of site)
Photo credit: Robert Starr
Posted in Coni Dubois

(July 5th, 1855) Litchfield Enquirer – Barkhamsted Light House (Litchfield, CT)

Posted on by conidubois.com

The earliest known write-up I have found on Barkhamsted Light House (As seen here, Lighthouse was separated). So, in my work, I have started referencing as such… The Barkhamsted Light House Village.

The Barkhamsted Light House Village was a historical community located in what is now Peoples State Forest in Barkhamsted, Connecticut¹. It was set on a terrace above the eastern bank of the West Branch Farmington River¹. In the 18th and 19th centuries, it was a small village of economically marginalized mixed Native American, African American, and white residents¹. 

The area known as the Barkhamsted Light House Village had its beginnings in the mid-18th century with the purchase of land by James Chagum/Chaugham and later his children¹. The community was eventually abandoned in the 1860s, its residents apparently moving to seek better economic opportunities¹.

The site is accessible via a short hiking trail from East River Road in Peoples State Forest, and has been designated a state archaeological site¹. Excavations have uncovered foundational remains of ten buildings, four charcoal kilns, a well, and a small cemetery¹. 

The village was given the name “Light House” because its lights acted as a beacon marking the north–south stage road that paralleled the river¹. The twinkling lights in the teepees & cabin of the Chaughams and their neighbors assured passengers in the night that they still followed the right path².

Sources:

(1) Barkhamsted Lighthouse – Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barkhamsted_Lighthouse.

(2) Barkhamsted Lighthouse – Bringing Light to the Connecticut Hills – New …. https://newenglandhistoricalsociety.com/barkhamsted-lighthouse-bringing-light-connecticut-hills/.

(3) “Outcasts” Build Their Own Village in 18th-Century Barkhamsted. https://connecticuthistory.org/outcasts-build-their-own-village-in-18th-century-barkhamsted/.

(4) From the archives: The Barkhamsted Lighthouse was a ‘Sanctuary’ for …. https://www.ctinsider.com/connecticutmagazine/article/From-the-archives-The-Barkhamsted-Lighthouse-was-17046569.php.

(5) en.wikipedia.org. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barkhamsted_Lighthouse.