“Those that fail to learn from history are doomed to repeat it”
-Winston Churchill
Is the East Windsor Hill Post Office a Fraud?
One of South Windsor’s claims to fame is the East Windsor Hill Post Office. Glance at almost any city guide or historical society website and you’re bound to see it. South Windsor: home to the nation’s oldest continuously running post office. But is it really? Or is it a lie designed to give South Windsor…
Connecticut’s First Black Soldiers: the 29th Regiment Colored Volunteers
In late 1863, Connecticut created its first all-Black Civil War regiment. The 29th Regiment was launched almost 10 months after Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation and months after Massachusetts and Rhode Island created their own African American regiments. Despite Connecticut’s late start relative to some of its northern neighbors, Blacks rushed to enlist in the…
From Mom-and-Pop to Mass Production: Eli Terry’s Clockwork Magic
In the early 1800s, during the Industrial Revolution, stand-alone clocks and watches were anindicator of class. The high cost of brass, used to fashion the timepieces, coupled with the longhours required to put together a finished product, meant that a clock was a relatively expensivepurchase. This changed with the work of Eli Terry, a South…
Jonathan Edwards: Father of the Great Awakening
The son and grandson of preachers, Jonathan Edwards would become not only a minister but one of America’s greatest theologians and philosophers. His work would become significant to the 1st Great Awakening and greatly contributed to the revival of religion in the colonies. His life began on October 5th 1703 in what is now South…
Edith Watson: A Revolutionary Photographer
This South Windsor native became known for her revolutionary portraits of rural women performing grueling daily tasks during a time when most photos were of men. Her photographs brought to light unique depictions of ordinary people, telling otherwise untold stories. Her tag: Edith S. Watson. Watson was born in East Windsor Hill (now South Windsor)…
Great Awakening Leader George Whitefield’s Visit to South Windsor
America’s first major mass movement began in the early 1730s. It would become known as the First Great Awakening, a period of religious revival during which a personal, heartfelt relationship with God was emphasized rather than instruction through ministers. The movement would be led by Angilican evangelist George Whitefield. Whitefield began preaching outdoors in England,…
Declaration of Independence Signer: Oliver Wolcott Sr.
The Wolcott family tree is filled with some of the most remarkable men in the Connecticut area. In the New World, it begins with Henry Wolcott Sr. who gained prominence as Windsor’s founder and ensured his kin capitalized on this success, expanding the family’s already impressive status. Oliver Wolcott Sr., grandson of Henry and the…
National Firefighters’ Day Special!
While most of us run from disaster, firefighters face the danger head on, providing life saving support to protect their community. They are true heroes whose selflessness is magnified by the fact that most are volunteers, risking their lives simply because they feel it’s the right thing to do. The admirable character of volunteer firefighters…
Roger Wolcott (Pt. 2)
On January 4th 1679, Roger Wolcott of Windsor CT would be born as the tenth child and youngest son of Simon and Martha Wolcott. Despite losing his father at the age of 8 and being deprived of a formal education, Wolcott was able to rise through the ranks becoming a Major General, Chief Justice of…
Roger Wolcott (Pt. 1)
On January 4th 1679, Roger Wolcott of Windsor CT would be born as the tenth child and youngest son of Simon and Martha Wolcott. Despite losing his father at the age of 8 and being deprived of a formal education, Wolcott was able to rise through the ranks becoming a Major General, Chief Justice of…
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