Your guide to the heart of Litchfield County:
Discover local stories, hidden gems, and must-know events.

Longtime Roxbury Resident Pens Memoir 

By Clementina Verge 

In her new memoir, Beyond This Harbor, former Roxbury resident, poet, and activist Rose Styron grants intimate glimpses into a legendary life—from her Baltimore childhood, to marrying Pulitzer Prize-winning novelist William Styron, to friendships with famous “writers, graphic artists, theater and film people.”

While visiting from New York in September 1954, “an old, empty white clapboard house in need of repair, with a crumbling white picket fence, full grape arbor, fragrant pink-rose covered trellis, and unkempt lawn caught our eyes,” she writes.

For 55 years, the 5-acre Rucum Road farmhouse became a sanctuary where they raised four children and William wrote his best known novels.

Styron reminisces about 1955’s “catastrophic flood that knocked out all bridges on the Housatonic River,” rushing furniture and home fragments on “currents down from Washington Depot,” and details an extensive social circle that included neighbors Arthur Miller, Marilyn Monroe, and Alexander Calder; their house, filled “with mirth and music,” welcomed Philip Roth, Mia Farrow, and James Baldwin among many others.

Though she loved “every corner” of the home that contained “some of [her] happiest memories,” when widowed in 2006, Styron retreated to Martha’s Vineyard, where, at 95, she enjoys time with her children and grandchildren. 

The Styrons’ presence will long linger in the area: In 1997, their donation to Roxbury Land Trust included the 22-acre Styron Preserve on Tophet Road.

Jane Coats Eckert announces the return of Eckert Fine Art Gallery + Consulting to Litchfield County at 10 Titus Road, Washington Depot. The gallery originated in the Midwest with roots in 19th and early 20th century American art and in 1996 relocated to Naples, Florida. There Jane formed a business relationship and friendship with Robert Rauschenberg whom she continues to show, and featured artists Roy Lichtenstein, Christo, Robert Indiana, and James Rosenquist. Through the years important artworks were placed in museums and collections by artists such as Jean-Michel Basquiat, Giorgio de Chirico, Pierre-Auguste Renoir, Henry Moore and John Chamberlain.

Ms. Eckert is a member of the Chairman’s Council of New-York Historical Society, served as Chair of Director’s Advisory Council at Mass Moca and President’s Circle at Hancock Shaker Village and Secretary of the Fine Arts Dealers Association. She was named one of the Most Influential People of Litchfield County by Litchfield Magazine. 

The Opening Show is

Connecticut Artists, Yesterday and Today is October 7 from 3 – 6 pm, featuring Alexander Calder, Jim Dine, Robert Cottingham, Don Gummer, Jack Rosenberg, and the Realist painter, Eric Forstmann. 10 Titus Road, Washington Depot

By Julia McMurray

Amidst the lush greenery and tranquil landscapes of Litchfield, CT, lies a forgotten marvel of the past – the Shepaug Railroad. Chartered in 1868, the railroad was a symbol of growth, constructed to connect the rural communities of Litchfield County with the mainline at Hawleyville and beyond. With its initial objective to transport local agricultural produce, lumber, and manufactured goods to larger markets, the railroad became a lifeline for the region’s economy. Farmers found new markets for their produce, while lumber mills thrived on the ease of transporting their goods to larger urban centers. The railway also facilitated the movement of raw materials, such as limestone and iron ore as well as ice from Bantam, granite from Roxbury, and milk from nearly every station. The Shepaug Railroad was renowned for its breathtaking vistas, rolling hills, and scenic beauty. Passenger services were also offered, attracting tourists and summer visitors seeking respite from the city’s hustle and bustle. With the rise of automobiles, demand for railway services waned and the last train could be heard whistling through the hills in 1948. Today, remnants of the Shepaug Railroad’s history can still be found throughout Litchfield County, serving as a reminder of its once pivotal role in shaping the region’s landscape; tourists and locals alike can even visit the Shepaug Valley Railroad Tunnel at Steep Rock Preserve in Washington Depot.

By Wendy Carlson

The fate of Arthur Miller’s one-room studio, where the Pulitzer Prize-winning author wrote many of his famous works, rests in the hands of a newly-formed local nonprofit. Last spring, the Arthur Miller Writing Studio began raising funds to restore the 300-square-foot shingle structure and move it from its temporary location behind the Roxbury Town Hall to a permanent location next to the Minor Memorial Library.

To commemorate Miller’s birthday, the organization partnered with the Arthur Miller Society to present a free event, “Guilty Until Proven Innocent: False Confession and Wrongful Conviction,” on Oct. 14 at 2 p.m. at Minor Memorial Library. Educational programming is part of the group’s $1 million campaign to sustain Miller’s legacy as a writer and activist in Roxbury.

Marc Olivieri, board member, said the event will raise awareness about the studio’s connection to the town. “The intellectual history of Roxbury can evaporate if we don’t preserve icons that represent it. And that’s what this is. An icon,” he said. 

The event will focus on Miller’s support of Peter Reilly who was wrongfully convicted for the murder his mother in Canaan, CT in 1974. In parallel, it will explore the contemporary experience of New Haven resident and author Gaylord Salters, who was wrongfully convicted of a shooting. Panelists include Reilly and Salters, attorneys Peter Herbst and Alex Taubes, and Connecticut ACLU board member Eva Bermúdez Zimmerman. Actor Jack Gilpin will read Miller’s short essay “Luck and the Death Penalty” and from Miller’s unpublished book. 

For a century, the Kent Art Association has been a beacon for the visual arts here in the Litchfield hills. Located on South Main Street in the town of Kent, it offers both artists and art enthusiasts opportunities to show and experience the work our regional talent has to offer through monthly shows.

The Kent Art Association was founded in 1923 by nine well established artists who were drawn to Kent for its rustic and pastoral beauty: Rex Brasher, Elliot Clark, Floyd Clymer, Willard Dryden Paddock, F. Luis Mora, George Lawrence Nelson, Spencer Nichols, Robert Nisbet and Frederick Waugh. Of these colleagues, Robert Nisbet and George Lawrence Nelson were the driving force behind establishing the association, with Nisbet serving as president for the first 20 years, and Nelson as vice-president and treasurer.

Prior to 1956, the KAA had held exhibitions in various community venues in town. In that year, the old Kent Inn, which stood in the center of town, was acquired and razed by the Gulf Oil Company but not before Nelson was able to remove a two story section of it to its present day location. Over the years, generous donations from the association’s patrons supported a renovation of the interior into its present day galleries and meeting space.

KAA is thrilled to be celebrating their 100 year anniversary this year. 

—kentart.org

FRIDAY

WFM Classical Music Festival
Head over to the Historic Meeting House in Washington on August 25 for a beautiful concert that is part of the WFM 2023 Classical Music Festival!

SATURDAY

Junior Olympic Fun Day
Calling all kids ages 6 to 12! Judy Black Memorial Park and Gardens is hosting a Junior Olympic Fun Day on August 26 from 2-5 PM where you can participate in friendly sport competitions for a chance to win a prize. Plus, there will be pizza and popcorn, too!

Dansereye Gala
Doors open at 6 PM on August 26 for the homecoming of Dansereye at the Warner Theatre and the unveiling of their future permanent home – The Amphitheatre at Dansereye, in Warren, Connecticut. 

MOMIX presents “Alice” at the Warner theater
Seamlessly blending illusion, acrobatics, magic and whimsy, MOMIX sends audiences flying down the rabbit hole in Moses Pendleton’s newest creation, ALICE, inspired by Lewis Carroll’s classic “Alice in Wonderland”. August 26 at 2 PM and 8 PM.

Jazz in the Garden
On August 26 at 6:30 PM, join the Torrington Historical society for a performance by the Southern Connecticut State University Latin Jazz Ensemble at the Hotchkiss-Fyler Garden.

SUNDAY

Farm to Flanders
This annual event taking place on August 27 is an important benefit for Flanders Nature Center & Land Trust. All supporters will enjoy a multi-course farm-inspired gourmet picnic prepared by renowned chefs and packaged in a cooler tote you get to keep.

5 Major Jewish Writers
On August 27, Professor Luzzi, award-winning faculty member of Bard College, will discuss “5 Important Jewish Writers Who Are a ‘Must’ for Every Lover of Literature.” 

The Green Vase Dahlia Workshop
On August 27 from 10 AM to 12 PM, join Livia Cetti, the founder and creative behind The Green Vase, for a dahlia workshop!

The Green Vase Peony Workshop
On August 27 from 3-5 PM join Livia Cetti, the founder and creative behind The Green Vase, for a peony workshop!

MOMIX presents “Alice” at the Warner theater

Seamlessly blending illusion, acrobatics, magic and whimsy, MOMIX sends audiences flying down the rabbit hole in Moses Pendleton’s newest creation, ALICE, inspired by Lewis Carroll’s classic “Alice in Wonderland”. August 27 at 2 PM.

Coming Soon:

Housatonic Heritage Walks
Heritage Walks are FREE, guided interpretive walks to the most interesting historic, cultural, industrial, natural and scenic sites in Berkshire County, MA, & Litchfield County, CT. Saturdays and Sundays September 2-October 1!

FRIDAY

Benefit Art Sale
The legendary Labor Day Weekend Benefit Art Sale returns to the Cornwall CT Library, marking the fifth anniversary of this highly popular event! 

Movies @ the park: Notorious
Head to The Judy Black Memorial Park at dusk for a screening of the 1946 spy film noir Notorious.

Historic Auto Festival
The 41st edition of the Lime Rock Historic Festival brings together an exciting and diverse field of historic racing machines for a Labor Day Weekend celebration of speed, sound, and beauty with classes that range from pre-war open-wheel cars to the sports and formula cars of the postwar era. There’s also a swap meet, automobilia concessions, book signings, featured speakers and more to enjoy over the long weekend.

Eight to the Bar
The Reading Room and Museum Committee of the James Morris Library, along with Morris Beach and Recreation are thrilled to welcome back…..EIGHT TO THE BAR at the Morris Town Beach for our annual Labor Day weekend kick – off concert event!

SATURDAY

Galvanized Jazz Band
On September 2, head over to the Music Mountain Summer Festival at 7:00 PM for a performance by Galvanized Jazz Band, a dynamic group of connecticut musicians devoted to the energetic performance of hot Dixieland, New Orleans Jazz, blues, and more!

Book signing with Alan Shayne & Norman Sunshine
The Hickory Stick Bookshop welcomes back perennial favorites Alan Shayne & Norman Sunshine who will be signing copies of their latest books “The Star Dressing Room : Portrait of an Actor” (Shayne) and “The Book of Norman” (Sunshine) on Saturday, September 2nd at 3 pm.

Housatonic Heritage Walk
Heritage Walks are FREE, guided interpretive walks to the most interesting historic, cultural, industrial, natural and scenic sites in Berkshire County, MA, & Litchfield County, CT. Attend a walk on September 2 or 3 at 9:30 AM at Macedonia Brook State Park.

Cornwall Open Studio
The annual Cornwall Open Studio Tour features a variety of artists and venues including Robert Adzema, David Colbert, Cornwall conservation Trust office, Richard Griggs, Curt Hanson, Housatonic Fine Art and Custom Framing, Jane Herold, Nick Jacobs, Tim Prentice, Souterrain Gallery, and Sally Van Doren Studio!

Goshen Fair
Head to the annual Goshen Fair September 2-4 to experience a one-of-a-kind event filled with live music from bands like Anchor Management and Nashville Drive, special contests like the frozen t-shirt contest, motorized events like the Antique Tractor Pull, and more! For the full list of about the activities, contests, and fun, visit the Goshen Fair website for the fair schedule!

SUNDAY

Bluegrass Concert
Head to the Judy Black Park on Sunday from 3 at 5 pm for the hand-clapping, foot-stomping, toe-tapping annual bluegrass concert, featuring The Sherman Chamber Ensemble Bluegrass Band and friends.

MONDAY

Le French Club at Le Gamin
A monthly informal gathering at Le Gamin in Sharon to learn French for your next trip or brush up on your language skills!

Curdside Pickup Food Truck
Curdside Pickup food truck stops by Brewery Legitimus to serve some American and Canadian foods, including poutine!

Great Falls Brewing Company Dart Tournament 
Head to Great Falls Brewing Company for their dart tournament on Monday! $6 Beer specials – everyone’s a winner!

Robert C. Fullerton at Little Red Barn Brewers
Eat some delicious food from Smokin’ Lane’s BBQ while listening to the live music of Robert C. Fullerton at Little Red Barn Brewers!

Coming Soon:

NY Collage Ensemble Art Exhibition
Beginning September 8, with an opening reception on the 9th, The Judy Black Memorial Park and Gardens is welcoming the “Construction/Deconstruction” exhibit, featuring works by the New York Collage Ensemble (NYCE)!

Litchfield Historical Society Fall Fundraiser
On September 9 from 6-9 PM, The Litchfield Historical Society returns with their Fall Fundraiser at the Tapping Reeve Meadow! Tasty food, good music, great company, an auction filled with fabulous items, and more!

Caravan of Thieves
On September 9 from 6-9:30 PM, The Merryall Center will be welcoming Caravan of Thieves, a group inspired by the big band swing era, musical theater, and early American folk music. A night not to be missed!

FRIDAY

Movies @ the park: Secret Life of Pets 2
Head over to the Judy Black Park on August 18 at dusk for a screening of The Secret Life of Pets 2 under the stars!

The Farm’s Sunflower Festival
Attend the last weekend of The Farm’s Sunflower festival from August 18-20 and wander through their 18 varieties of exquisite sunflowers thriving across four acres.

SATURDAY

Widely Grown Concert
On Saturday August 19 from 4 to 6 PM, The Judy Black Memorial Park and Gardens will be hosting the band Widely Grown for a live concert! 

Litchfield Hills Creative Festival
On August 19 in downtown Torrington, immerse yourself in the unique atmosphere of the Litchfield Hills Creative Festival, a diverse, multidisciplinary arts festival celebrating the creative community spirit found in Northwest Connecticut. 

Ellis Paul
Join the Merryall Center on August 19 at 8:00 PM to experience a live performance by singer/songwriter Ellis Paul, admired for his abilities as a folk singer and storyteller. With Radoslav Lorkovic!

The Curtis Brothers
Voted as the Rising Stars in the Critics Poll for Downbeat Magazine, pianist Zaccai Curtis and his brother, bassist Luques Curtis, have released five Latin Jazz albums to great acclaim. Watch them perform at the Music Mountain Summer Festival on August 19 at 7:00 PM!

Open House for “Homespun Virtue” Exhibit
On Saturday August 19 at 11:00 AM, the public is invited to view The Gunn Museum’s new exhibition “Homespun Virtue,” featuring selected Washington textiles from fine needlework to the beautiful gowns of past residents.

SUNDAY

Democracy in Danger
In this episode of Common Ground with Jane Whitney, a panel of A-listers discusses the life and death battle between autocracy and democracy and the future of constitutional government both in America and around the world. August 20 at 4:00 PM.

War
On August 20 at 7 PM, head over to the Warner theater to see the multi-platinum selling WAR, the original street band that has been sharing its timeless music and message of brotherhood and harmony for 5 decades before millions across the globe!

Punk Rock Flea Market
Visit the one of a kind Punk Rock Flea Market on August 20 from 10 AM to 7 PM. Unique vendors, local entertainment, delicious food trucks, and more!
Summer Weekend Roundup August 18-20

Coming soon is the Labor Day Weekend Benefit Art Sale, read more below!

Benefit Art Sale

The legendary Labor Day Weekend Benefit Art Sale returns to the Cornwall CT Library this year, marking the fifth anniversary of this highly popular event. The sale will open with a cocktail reception at the Library on Friday, September 1 from 6 to 8 p.m. and everyone is welcome.

The Local Sailing Club is Fast Approaching its 100th Anniversary

By Gavi Klein

Photos courtesy of Bantam Lake Yacht Club

For an organization that has been around for almost 100 years, the Bantam Lake Yacht Club (BLYC) still manages to keep things fresh. The club, based just south of Litchfield, was founded in 1933 by Al and Tim Hine. When they first began, they would hand out business cards to potential new members as invitations to join. 

Today, members can sail a variety of boats depending on availability, but back then, members joined as sailors of a single boat. This was less of a financial barrier than one might assume, as there was a phenomenon in the 30s of using plywood to make boats at home. “You’d make a mold and then wrap plywood around it and glue everything up. Get a coat of fiberglass on it, and then you’d have your boat for very little money,” says Ed Kavle, former commodore and BLYC member for nearly 20 years. From this national wave of plywood-popularity, Kavle explains, came the invention of the Sunfish, the most popular sailing boat to this day. 

During the summer season, the club hosts “Sunfish Sundays,” races that take place weekly from the fourth of July through Labor Day. Robin Viola, current Vice Commodore of the club, loves these events. Her favorite thing about the BLYC is to do the race committee; along with a few other moderators, Viola goes out on the lake on the pontoon boat to keep the Sunfish race in order. “There’s no better view of the sailboats than being right in the middle of the race,” she says. “Throughout my whole life, I’ve loved to watch sailboats.”

In addition to the Sunfish races, the club also hosts the Around the Lake Race, an annual mixed-vessel race where all are welcome. This race dates back to the early days of the club, when it was called the French Trophy Race, named after an early member, Fred French. 

Races and regattas aren’t all the club has to offer, however. Kavle runs a high school sailing program at the club that includes students from a variety of schools in the area. The program includes STEM content in addition to sailing practice, and Kavle is passionate about the work. “Kids don’t get asked to master very many difficult things these days,” Kavle says. “Sailing is one of those sports that you learn every time you go out, and you get better and better. I think it teaches independence.”

The club is a lot smaller now than it was back in its heyday, but seems to be facing a bit of an upward trend. In 2013, the club had only 33 members; now, they have close to 80. Throughout the summer, members host parties and picnics together, learning from each other and sharing in the beauty of Bantam Lake. “Sailors are just really nice people,” Kavle says. “They love the environment, love no-engines, love people in nature. It’s a nice group.”