Color Matters in North Eastern Connecticut - "The Quiet Corner"
The Frogs of Willimantic
A Frog on a Spool
The frog sculptures on the bridge
The symbolism of frogs and the sculptures on the Willimantic bridge
The spools represent the city's status as "Thread City." During Willimantics historical past, it was the home of five major cotton mills.
The frogs on the bridge represent the famous Windham Frog Fight.The following account of this battle is derived from David E. Phillips' Legendary Connecticut, 1984:
During the summer of 1754, Colonel Eliphalet Dyer recruited a local regiment to fight in the French and Indian wars. Those left behind in Willimantic were vulnerable to attack. During a steamy-hot June night, their worst fears were realized. Unearthly screams emanated from the darkness. Young boys and old men grabbed muskets and fired blindly into the night. Many believed that the day of judgment had arrived; others hid under their beds. At dawn, the awful truth was revealed. Hundreds of dead and dying frogs were discovered in a dried -up millpond close to the town. Their screams were the sounds of their battle to find moisture in the drought-ridden pond. From that time on, Windham became known as the scene of the "Battle of the Frogs."
Note: Wilimantic is part of Windham county.
5,000 miles away and 257 years later: The Honolulu Star Bulletin's headline on July 8, 2001 read "Shrieking Frogs invade Oahu." Less than two weeks after the author of Color Matters stood on Frog Bridge in Willimantic and took this picture.
Link - for more info
Frog Rock - Windham County
This is the original frog sculpture, one that many remember.
"Frog Rock" today
This frog is huge !
"Frog Rock" of the past (before it was painted green)
Frog Rock (off of old Route 44) is a powerful landmark of natural stone that dates back to 1918. It sits on shreds of the old road, barely visible from the new highway. In spite of its lower visibility, families visit and picnic at the rock. The frog lives on.
For Frog Rock fans: How to find it:
The road that the rock was on is gone. Frog Rock can barely be seen behind the trees on Rt. 44 (in Pomfret I think). It's just outside of Putnam going toward Storrs. Look for a shoulder on Rt. 44.... a small gravel area and a guardrail, where you can pull off the road. Park there and walk about 50 feet down the remains of the old road. If this doesn't work, ask someone in Willimantic or any town nearby. The locals still take their children there!
Antique Dolls in Coventry, Connecticut
Sadly, "The Special Joys" doll museum in Coventry, CT. has been closed.
Roseland Cottage in Woodstock, Connecticut
Roseland
Slave quarters
"Historical Reenactors" on the grounds
The Colors of Hampton, Connecticut
Sun Up Farm on Windy Hill Road in Hampton
Note from Jill Morton, Color Matters: Sun Up Farm is where I spent my summers as a child. So many wonderful memories. When I returned, not much had changed. There is one thing that stood out: The greens of north-eastern Connecticut are more beautiful than any place on earth.
