Berlin Historical Society Celebrates
By Editor at March 4, 2024 | 9:00 am | Print
Many know Chamberlain Highway as one of the most scenic routes in Central Connecticut. On Wednesday, March 16th, from 1-3 pm at the Berlin Senior Center, 33 Colonial Drive, Kensington, Berlin Historical Society will present a slide show of vintage photos chosen to inspire audience participation. This is the sixth in a series of story shares highlighting the history of neighborhoods and communities of Berlin. The focus of this session will be the Chamberlain Highway and southwestern part of town. To register for this free event, call 860-828-7006
Collective memories include family drives to Ferndale Dairy Ice Cream Bar and to many family farms and summer vegetable stands. Fewer locals know that the road was named in honor of the prominent 19th century Chamberlain brothers, Abiram and Valentine who regularly traveled, by horse and carriage between New Britain and Meriden for Sunday visits. In their time and until 1935, the dirt path was known as Cat Hole Road, and the cat does not refer to the domestic variety. It was said that a wild cat, perhaps a cougar, roamed the Blue Hills and the notch approaching Meriden
Despite the loss of land to development, Berlin has successfully preserved contiguous acreage as a network of trails for passive recreation and for wildlife habitat
Bicentennial Park, Chotkowski Farm, Kensington Orchards, Hatchery Brook, Scheer Farm and Blue Hills trails are open to all who enjoy the outdoors. Even Timberlin Golf Course provides acres of green where there might have been a patchwork quilt of houses. This area still has blueberry picking, tree and flower farming, a pussy willow stand, hay and corn fields. Meanwhile, third generation farmers are keeping agriculture alive and now there is exciting news that the old Midway Farm may soon be a vineyard
If you have stories to tell about life on a farm in Southwest Kensington, going to Blue Hills, South Kensington or Stockings Brook School, the early days of the South Kensington Fire Department or other memories to share, we hope you will attend. For those unfamiliar with this part of town, this will be a great opportunity to learn more
Story Shares have been drawing over 100 people a session and the pride people feel about their part of town is contagious
