On February 10, 2009, archaeologist Dr. Ken Feder and Historical Society volunteers Linne Landgraf and Paul Hart met to discuss a proposed exhibit on the Barkhamsted Lighthouse community.  The exhibit will be a temporary feature at the Squire's Tavern.  It is our hope to have the display set up in the spring or early summer.

The Lighthouse site is an important part of Barkhamsted history not only for the popular legends, but also because the community that became established there was a multi-cultural, multi-ethnic group of Native American, African American and Caucasian settlers that lived a different life than that of most of the other residents of the town.  The Lighthouse community persisted until the mid-1800s.  All that is left now are a few small cellar holes and a tiny cemetery with simple grave markers.  The site is located in People's Forest and was recently designated by the Connecticut Historic Preservation Council as an archaeological preserve.

Photo above- Archaeologist Dr. Ken Feder and Historical Society volunteer Linne Landgraf inspect artifacts from the Barkhamsted Lighthouse site.  Dr. Feder visited the Squire's Tavern to help plan for a new exhibit on the Lighthouse community.

Progress...even in the winter!  Historical Society volunteers take advantage of a fairly warm day in February to pick up shingles at the Barkhamsted Center schoolhouse.  The schoolhouse roof was just recently redone with new red cedar shingles by A & J Quality Roofing.  The old shingles had been removed and tossed on the ground.  A dumpster was brought to the site and the old shingles were picked up and thown in the dumpster.  In the spring we will need to return and do a final cleanup to get the last scraps of shingles hidden by the snow.  The old Center schoolhouse is in good shape now, with a new roof and a new coat of paint on the exterior.

Last spring the Barkhamsted Historical Society was the recipient of a $150,000, Small Town Economic Assistance Program, or STEAP Grant. The grant is specifically geared toward capital improvements and expansion. Several projects had been earmarked for these funds and have either been completed or are well underway. As was mentioned in the Sept 2008 Quarterly, the floors in the front kitchen have been re-finished and now look very nice. This fall volunteers Dave Ravsio and Michael Ream did a wonderful job fabricating an old fashion sliding barn door to conceal the archival storage unit. Additionally, Dave and Michael worked to prepare the Tavern for the new landing stoop off of the rear door, which will connect to a ramp and allow wheelchair access.

The stoop and ramp are part of a much larger project consisting of grading the yard and construction of a brick walkway. Former First Selectmen and BHS volunteer Michael Fox has headed up the landscape and walkway project. Michael has done a great job in planning and coordinating a new brick walkway which encompasses three sides of Squires Tavern. Mike and other volunteers have spent many hours planning the layout, choosing the materials and hiring the contractors.  

The walkway is designed to direct visitors to the front door, the main entrance, of the Tavern. While the old walkway did led to the front door, visitors were more inclined to enter through a side door. The walkway will also run parallel to the side of the building allowing easy access to the informational kiosk and ultimately connecting to the ramp at the rear of the building.

In preparation for grading of the yard, local resident Michael O'Connor was hired to grind several old stumps down. Local excavating contractor Eugene Allen was hired to do the grading and prepare the walkway paths.

Eugene dug a trench, following the walkway outline, then filled and compacted the base with processed stone. Local stone mason Michael Hoffnagle will be laying the brick walkway and is scheduled to begin the final phase of this project the third week of November.

Other major projects which are underway include the installation of a lightning protection system by Northeast Lightning Protection, LLC, who are headquartered in Bloomfield. After a lighting strike took out all of the electronic, heating, cooling and alarm systems last year the board decided to protect the building from future strikes and future potential for damage, including fire.

BHS also hired local painting contractor Jim Parrott to scrap down and paint the Center School house, the historic one room school house which was moved from its original Barkhamsted Center location to its present location on Route 181. Jim did a nice job and the schoolhouse looks great with its fresh coat of paint.

BHS has also hired Canton roofing contractor Greg Erisoty to replace the cedar shake roof on the schoolhouse. Greg is scheduled to begin work on the schoolhouse roof in late November.

Several other projects are under consideration for next year, including possibly the construction of a working multi-purpose blacksmith shop and pottery shed. Also being considered is an interpretive trail through the grounds of Squires Tavern.

On Wednesday, July 23, 2008, Historical Society volunteers start work on the back door area of the Squire's Tavern.  This work is related to the ramp that will be installed in August 2008.  The ramp will allow wheel chair access to the building.  Before the ramp can be installed, the area under the back door must be prepared.  Volunteers removed wooden steps that were located here and start removing trim and clapboards so that the area can be waterproofed. 

322)   Central Connecticut State University students visit Squire's Tavern - July 13, 2007
                 A group of 16 students from the Central Connecticut State University visit the Squire's Tavern to learn about the building and the archeological work that has been done.  The Historical Society is currently preparing hundreds of pottery shards, pieces of glass and other items recovered in a series of digs at the Tavern over the last five years.  The students are part of a summer history course and also visited the Stone Museum and other sites in the area.

321)   July 4th Parade at Pleasant Valley and Open House at Squire's Tavern - July 4, 2007
                 Historical Society members marched in the Independence Day parade held at Pleasant Valley.  A fun time was had by all and the Star Band sounded fantastic as always.  Also a  special Open House was held at Squire's Tavern.  The building was open from 9:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m.  We had about 30 visitors, most of which arrived after the parade ended.  Visitors checked out the building and the progress the Historical Society has made, for example the new wall stenciling in the Ball Room.