Newsletter

Volume 16, Number 4 Kent, Connecticut November 2015

Kent Historical Society

It may sound odd for an organization devoted to celebrating and exploring the past to spend time pon-dering the future, but that’s what the Kent Historical Society has been doing lately. As for so many museums and organizations, the reason is space -- we need to make more thoughtful, effective use of the room we have.

The process started as we began examining the possible fur trading shop on the second floor of the Seven Hearths Museum (see page 3). That space was not empty. It also happened to be where we stored our collection of paintings and drawings by George Laurence Nelson. For the time being, we moved all of the artwork storage to a temporary facility off-site, but that immediately raised the issue of where the artwork will go when it comes back.

Planning for the Future An 18th century building like Seven Hearths is prob-lematic as a place to store oil paintings. The best thinking by collections experts points to housing the paintings in a more modern building. True, we are busily putting new siding on Seven Hearths, and this new sheathing will make climate control much more consistent. But we are going to want the second floor to tell the fur trading shop’s story.

The obvious choice is to move the artwork up Studio Hill Road to Tallman House. But where at Tallman? Our quarters there are already overstuffed, and we’re struggling to optimize the space we have.

Experts to the Rescue

To help us explore all these possibilities, the new President of the Board at the Kent Historical Society, Mike Everett, went to work, drawing on a great deal

Tallman House, seen from Studio Hill Road

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of experience as a planner and a consultant. He elaborated several scenarios in a document that he called the “Framework Study: An Examina-tion of the Potential Uses and Spatial Opportu-nities of the Seven Hearths Site—A Perspective by One Planner at One Moment in Time.”

Some of these scenarios proposed adding addi-tional rooms or even new floors to Tallman House. In others, Everett sketched out how we might add a new storage and exhibit facility to the property on an old barn foundation. Initially, we shied away from relying on Tallman’s base-ment, just because it is a basement. In any case, the document spelled out a number of interlocking possibilities and showed how the pieces fit together.

Meanwhile, we called on Rick Kerschner, a collections preservation expert now consulting with museums and historical societies after more than 30 years of experience protecting the Shelburne Museum collections in Vermont, to

take a fresh look at our archival and storage needs. It was a great experience, not least because he validated the measures and decisions that we’ve already undertaken, which was heartening to hear.

Kerschner also scrutinized Seven Hearth and Tallman in detail, and paid particular attention to the basement. He pronounced the space dry enough to be an excellent storage space. We would have to remove the oil furnace and rely on the other heating already installed. We would also reconfigure the utilities, but that should be readily doable. This was great news!

Kerschner’s findings have helped narrow down the Framework Study’s scenarios to a more manageable sequence. We are busily working on grants applications to help recon-figure the basement for storing paintings and archival materials. The process will be a lengthy one, but we’re a historical society -- we take the long view.

George Laurence Nelson in his garden, gazing back at Seven Hearths. He looks like he’s thinking about space issues. We’re doing the same.

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In our April issue, we described what we’ve been calling the fur trading shop or “post” on the second floor of the Seven Hearths Museum. The more we peer at the old markings and labels on the walls and rafters, though, the more we realize that this space presents the Kent Historical Society with an expanding interpretive challenge. Even calling the place a fur trading “shop” may be over-interpreting what was there. One big ques-tion is, was the operation in Kent an actual store, or a pelt locker that was part of another commercial enterprise? As Professor Kevin Sweeney, an expert on the subject at UMass Amherst, observed in an exchange of emails earlier this year: “The 1600s

Interpreting the Fur Trading ‘Shop’ By Brian Thomas

was the peak period for a commercially significant beaver trade in western New England. It did continue at Ft. Dummer in what is today southeastern Vermont until at least the 1720s. And there were white hunters who would occasionally barter the pelts of other fur-bearing mammals at general stores in the region into the late 1700s, and my surmise would be that this is what may have occurred in Kent.” In short, Seven Hearths may not be old enough to qualify as an actual trading shop. Even if the timeline is established, we still need to learn more about the commercial context for the fur trading operation. The fur business in the late 18th and early 19th century was not a single entity. There was a network of fur trading posts, among

A public domain image of a generic fur trading store, from an earlier era of retailing

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Our 2015 schedule has been packed with activity. Right: Emery Roth II signs a copy of his book, Brass Valley: The Fall of an American Industry, for an appreciative member of the audience at our September 20 Sunday Series event. Roth shared his photos of the bygone industry that transformed our region. Al-though some former factories have been adapted for reuse, many abandoned, deteriorating factories dot the landscape in Connecticut.

them Mission House in Stockbridge, Massachu-setts (Trustees of Reservations) and Johnson Hall in Wells, Maine, which housed the King’s representative for trading with native Americans. One site alone may contain significant history by itself, but be better viewed as part of a continen-tal, or even global, business network. We need to explore the links between Kent and other parts of the fur trapping network, and its connection to markets elsewhere in North America and even Europe. The New York State Museum in Albany may have more primary ma-terials in its large research division. Finding an actual ledger from our fur trading operation

On May 17, William Hosley presented his ever-expanding take on the “Cultural Treas-ures of the Litchfield Hills,” with a special emphasis on Kent. Hosley is a big believer in using the power of place and heritage to inspire citizenship and civic engagement, and his talk at Town Hall was a lively example of doing just that.

would be a major coup for us, but even contemporary ledgers from other places would be very informative. This fur archi-pelago could even become a significant tourist or scholarly theme. A preliminary step is to seek help, and enlist some expert sleuthing in the space by a respected Colonial-era historian. The fur trading area’s story may involve less of the frontier and more commercial history. That in itself is exciting, since it's often hard to bring business history to life in an immediate way. Whatever we learn, there’s sure to be plenty more to discover.

Sunday Afternoons with KHS

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Estate Matters in Ancient Egypt… and Elsewhere by Brian Thomas

Back in 1955, Howard Hawks directed a camp classic called Land of the Pharaohs, an epic set in ancient Egypt, with Jack Hawkins as Khufu, an aging ruler obsessed with amassing wealth and power for the afterlife. A youthful, bratty Joan Collins plays the gauzily attired Princess Nellifer, who schemes to latch onto Khufu’s incomparable wealth. William Faulkner had a hand in the screenplay, a surprisingly dark tale, which may account for so many heavyweights (such as Martin Scorsese) rating the film as a guilty pleasure. Spoiler alert: Instead of inherit-ing the gold, Joan winds up buried in the pyramid along with Khufu’s entire household. Estate planning has progressed since the Sixth Dynasty, that’s for sure. Modern donors recog-

nize the value of having their surviving assets continue to foster their goals. In this non-pharaonic spirit, we hope you’ll consider mak-ing a bequest to the Kent Historical Society. By including a bequest to the Kent Historical Society in your will or living trust, you are ensuring that we can continue to celebrate and preserve Kent for years to come. Your gift also entitles your estate to an unlimited federal estate tax charitable deduction. You can use a wide variety of assets to fund a bequest, including cash, appreciated securities, real es-tate, tangible personal property, securities, and even closely held stock. Please give us a call at 860-927-4587 to discuss it with us. We’ll be far more appreciative than Joan Collins.

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Ed Adlam of Santa Barbara, CA Christopher Armstrong of Danville, PA Bill Arnold and Stephanie Wargo of South Kent, CT Dr. Amy Attas and Stephen Shapiro of Kent, CT Mr. and Mrs. Ned Babbitt of New York, NY Mr. and Mrs. William Bachrach of Kent, CT Mr. and Mrs. David L. Bain of Kent, CT Mr. and Mrs. John Milnes Baker of South Kent, CT Nancy Baker of Lakeville, CT Mr. and Mrs. Marc Bornn of South Kent, CT James Brownell of Kent, CT Ronald C. Budny of Litchfield, CT Ciara Burnham and Peter DeNunzio of New York, NY Mrs. Jack Casey of Kent, CT Mr. and Mrs. Darrell Cherniske of Kent, CT Mr. and Mrs. Charles Cogut of South Kent, CT Mr. and Mrs. Donald Connery of Kent, CT Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Coons of Kent, CT Kenneth Cooper and Charmian Place of New York, NY Ellen Corsell of Kent, CT Darlene Cromer of Stuart, FL Deborah Devaux of Kent, CT Mrs. Anthony DiPentima of South Kent, CT Mrs. Paul Dooley of Kent, CT Mr. and Mrs. Patrick Dore of Sharon, CT Mr. and Mrs. Edward D. Epstein of Kent, CT Mr. and Mrs. Michael Everett of Kent, CT David K. Freeman of New York, NY Patricia Gallagher of Kent, CT Mr. and Mrs. John A. Gleason of Kent, CT Mr. and Mrs. Jonathan Hart of Davidson, NC Mrs. Dexter Hawks of South Kent, CT Mr. and Mrs. James Hicks of Kent, CT Mr. and Mrs. Jean-Marie Horovitz of Kent, CT

Lester Hoysradt of Salisbury, CT W. Griggs Irving of Seattle, WA Dr. and Mrs. Harold Kamm of Kent, CT Jay Kriegel and Kathryn McAuliffe of South Kent, CT Jon C. Lafleur of Kent, CT Dr. Martin Levine and Dr. Israel Cruz of Kent, CT Mr. and Mrs. Richard Lindsey of Kent, CT Carol Hoffman Matzke of Mercer Island, WA Emily McWhinney of Kent, CT Susan E. Menconi and Bruce Hoheb of South Kent, CT Hugh Mitchell of New York, NY Mr. and Mrs. Stephen Morocco of Kent, CT Mr. and Mrs. Paul Neuman of New York, NY Mr. and Mrs. John Noneman of Kent, CT Mr. and Mrs. John Novogrod of New York, NY Mr. and Mrs. Daniel Palmer of Kent, CT Mr. and Mrs. Peter Rothschild of New York, NY Mr. and Mrs. James Samartini of South Kent, CT Thomas Sebring and Stephen Vaughn of Kent, CT Mr. and Mrs. Joseph G. Tobin of Kent, CT Anne P. Todd of Kent, CT Christine Utsogn of New Milford, CT Andrew Vadnais and Nancy Lyon of South Kent, CT Bruce W. Whipple and Michael Ward of South Kent, CT Hiram Williams and Peter Vaughan of South Kent, CT Susi Williams Wyman and Dick Wyman of Kent, CT David B. Wolf and Anna Johnson-Chase of Kent, CT Alice J. Wolfe of Kent, CT Mr. and Mrs. John Worthington of Kent, CT Mr. & Mrs. John Youngblood of South Kent, CT Mr. and Mrs. Richard Zarin of Kent, CT Mr. and Mrs. F. Anthony Zunino III of Kent, CT

Proprietor Members

Mr. and Mrs. Ely Britton of Glendale, MO Mr. and Mrs. Craig Burr of Cambridge, MA Mr. and Mrs. Wayne Giles of South Kent, CT Ms. Nina Henderson of Kent, CT Mr. and Mrs. Kevin Herde of Kent, CT Lisa Lippman and Ben Finkelstein of New York, NY Ann Lozman and Jay Harris of South Kent, CT Mr. and Mrs. Frank McCann of Kent, CT Lynn Perry and Michael Hallows of Kent, CT Mr. and Mrs. Chris Rehnberg of Kent, CT

Anne Bass of South Kent, CT Mr. and Mrs. Williston Case, Jr. of Kent, CT Mr. and Mrs. Lawrence Charity of South Kent, CT Mr. and Mrs. Edward Hoffman of Kent, CT The Charles and Jane Klein Family Fund of South Kent, CT Jeffrey Morgan and Robert Couturier of South Kent, CT Mr. and Mrs. James Perkins of Kent, CT Mr. and Mrs. Benjamin Rosen of Kent, CT

Sponsor Members

Pillars of Support: All Members of the Kent Historical Society

Patron Members

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Family and Sustaining Members

Mr. and Mrs. Bruce Adams of Kent, CT Lisa Atkinson and Otto Penzler of Kent, CT Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Bargonetti of South Kent, CT Mr. and Mrs. Richard H. Barlow of Kent, CT Georganne Bensh and Nathan Kolodny of Gaylordsville, CT Dr. and Mrs. Monty Besmer of Kent, CT Mr. and Mrs. James Blackketter of Kent, CT Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Brady of Kent, CT Mary Brash of Kent, CT Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Brown of South Kent, CT Mr. and Mrs. William Brown of St. Ignace, MI Nancy Bushnell and Victor Reiling of Sarasota, FL Bennett Capers and Seth Forman of South Kent, CT Mrs. Robert E. Carlson of Kent, CT Marjorie Carmody of Brookfield Center, CT Deborah Chabrian and Ed Martinez of South Kent, CT Sarah Chase and William Watts of New York, NY

Mr. and Mrs. Bill Cipolla of New Milford, CT Mr. and Mrs. Albert Coffill of Litchfield, CT Mr. and Mrs. Paul Cortese of Kent, CT Mr. and Mrs. Richard Crouch of Cornwall Bridge, CT Mr. and Mrs. Denis Curtiss of Cornwall Bridge, CT Mr. and Mrs. Richard Davis of Kent, CT Mr. and Mrs. Vincent DeMarco of Kent, CT Mr. and Mrs. Donald DeVita of Kent, CT Mr. and Mrs. David DeVos of South Kent, CT William Dillon and Jeff West of Kent, CT Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Franken of South Kent, CT Mr. and Mrs. Robert Gibson of Kent, CT Mr. and Mrs. Mark Hanley of Kent, CT Mr. and Mrs. Chris Harrington of Kent, CT Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Hartch of South Kent, CT Mr. and Mrs. Donald Hicks of South Kent, CT Ms. Thayer Hochberg of New Preston, CT Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Holcombe of Kent, CT Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Howland of South Kent, CT

This was a special anniversary year for fans of the Back to the Future franchise. The movies, starring Michael J. Fox, were originally set in 1985 and jumped to the future of 2015. On the weekend before children in Region I returned to school, a group of individuals and town organizations sponsored an outdoor showing of Back to the Future II -- and it even had a historical theme. Event sponsors included: Dave Fairty and Anne McAndrew of Annie Bannanie and Backcountry Outfitters, Billy Morrison of the Morrison Gallery, Peter D'Aprille of the Kent Station Pharmacy, the Kent Memorial Library, and the Kent Historical Society.

Back to the Future II on the Kent Green

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Mr. and Mrs. Walter Irving of Cornwall Bridge, CT Mr. and Mrs. David Jalbert of Gaylordsville, CT Mr. and Mrs. Stanley Jennings of Kent, CT Dr. Katherine Kane and Dennis DePaul of Kent, CT Melinda Keck of Kent, CT Moira Kelly and John Jenner of Kent, CT Mrs. W. H. Kempe of South Kent, CT Olga Kennedy of Kent, CT Mr. and Mrs. Dana Kenny of New Fairfield, CT Louisa M. LaFontan of Kent, CT Mr. and Mrs. Vincent LaFontan of Kent, CT Mr. and Mrs. Ward Landrigan of South Kent, CT Mr. and Mrs. Philip Lang of South Kent, CT Mr. and Mrs. William Lang of Kent, CT Mr. and Mrs. Tom Lee of South Kent, CT Mr. and Mrs. Richard Levy of Kent, CT Mr. and Mrs. Mason Lord of New Milford, CT Mr. and Mrs. Adam Manes of South Kent, CT Mrs. Guy M. Mankin of Kent, CT Mr. and Mrs. Ralph A. Matson of Kent, CT Mr. and Mrs. Peter Messer of New Milford, CT Mr. and Mrs. Rudy Molho of Kent, CT Mr. and Mrs. Jonathan Moore of Kent, CT Mr. and Mrs. Juan Moreno of Kent, CT

Mr. and Mrs. Jack Murphy of South Kent, CT Linda Nacinovich and Elaine Debet-Fricke of South Kent, CT Mr. and Mrs. James Norton of Jersey City, NJ Mr. and Mrs. Andrew Olson of South Kent, CT Karina O'Meara of Kent, CT Mrs. Eugene O'Meara of Kent, CT Mr. and Mrs. Randy O'Rourke of Kent, CT JoAnne Pappano and Robert Norton of Kent, CT Dr. and Mrs. Donald Peters of Kent, CT Judy Pinkerton and Alan Tikotsky of Kent, CT Mr. & Mrs. Richard Polhemus of Dover Plains, NY Toni Presti and Korey Elsesser of Kent, CT Allan Priaulx and Jacqueline Markham of Kent, CT Mr. and Mrs. Ed Raftery of Kent, CT Mr. and Mrs. Andrew Richards of South Kent, CT Mr. and Mrs. Noble Richards or Kent, CT Mr. and Mrs. Lawrence Rivkin of Kent, CT Mr. and Mrs. Emery Roth II of Washington Depot, CT Mr. and Mrs. Daniel Schiesel of South Kent, CT Lorna G. Schofield of New York, NY Marcia S. Scholl of North Eastham, MA Mr. & Mrs. Kenneth Seufert of South Kent, CT Virginia Smith of New Milford, CT Mr. and Mrs. Millard L. Soule of Kent, CT Mr. and Mrs. Matthew Starr of Kent, CT

Just some of our faithful docents at Seven Hearths, who did so much to bring the Camps of Kent exhibit to life. Shown here from left to right: Aiden Cherniske, Melissa Cherniske, Linda Palmer, Sue Leopardo, Karina O’Meara, Marge Smith, and Lynn Worthington. Not shown in the picture are: Fran Goodsell, Hugh Hill, Pat Gallagher, Rick Levy, Judy Howland, Don and Mary Peters, Cindy Willson, Sue Begnal, Kate Zarin, Debbie Devaux, Sandy Jennings, Donna Sommers, Ruth O’Meara, Toni Presti, Katherine and Bill Bachrach, Katie Moore, Bill and Tammi Lang, Kathi Lee, Marian Whynott, Charlotte Lindsey, Lisa Weinblatt, Heather Gerowe, Karen Chase, and Judi Soule.

Thanks to Our Docents for Hosting the “Camps of Kent: Memories of Summer” Exhibit

Family and Sustaining Members (cont.)

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Our Individual Members Lloyd Albin of Kent, CT Ky Anderson of South Kent, CT Marjorie J. Anderson of Sioux Falls, SD Anthony Antonios and Sharon Hartwick of South Kent, CT Rona Auster of Mamaroneck, NY John Barton of Kent, CT Joseph Baxer, Barbara Bacewicz of Kent, CT Fran Beardsley of Honolulu, HI Marsi Boon of Kent, CT Bruce Bosserman of Sarasota, FL Melode Brasher of Kent, CT Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Britton of Croton-on-Hudson, NY Austi Brown of Kent, CT Cecile H Brown of Santa Ynez, CA Cliff Burnett of Vero Beach, FL Paula Caceci of New York, NY Marie Camp of South Kent, CT Susan Capek of Coram, NY Robert E. Casey or Stonington, CT Senator Clark Chapin of New Milford, CT Linda Cohen of South Kent, CT Karen Conklin of San Jose, CA Don Cramer of Kent, CT Margaret Britton Crecco of Avon, CT Therese Duncan of Kent, CT Susanne Edgerly of Kent, CT Davia Fink of Kent, CT Susan Forbes and Bob Markowitz of Kent, CT Phyllis Foster of Kent, CT Susan Gawel of Kent, CT Marcia Glynn of Cookeville, TN Mr. and Mrs. William Goodsell of Kent, CT George-Ann Gowan of Kent, CT Myra Guerra of Kent, CT

Family and Sustaining Members (cont.)

Cindy Gustafson of Kent, CT Dr. Harvey Hayden of Sharon, CT Dorothy Hosterman of Kent, CT Susan W. Howland of South Kent, CT Robert Indorf, Sr. of Kent, CT Claire H. Irving of New York, NY Fran Johnson of Kent, CT Walter Kane of Kent, CT Georgianne Kent of Kent, CT Betty Krasne of Kent, CT Gail Lettick of Woodbury, CT Dorothy Lorenze of Granite Springs, NY James Lovelett of Kent, CT Ron MacFarlane of Ventura, CA Carol MacRitchie of South Kent, CT Paddy Matson of Kent, CT Barbara McCarthy of Bethany, CT Mr. and Mrs. Henry McWhinnie of Kent, CT Carol B. Miller of South Kent, CT Donna M. Miller of Kent, CT Mr. and Mrs. Owen Moore of New Preston, CT Kristine J. Mothersele of Bristo, CT Robert R. Mott of Canaan, CT Mrs. And Mrs. James Neill of Kent. CT Alicia North of West Cornwall, CT Marilyn Ober of Brookfield, CT Andrew Ocif and Elaine Carlson of Kent, CT Robert Olson of Chesapeake, VA Marian F. Pacocha of Kent, CT Doria Palmer of South Kent, CT Leigh R. Peet of Kent, CT Bertha J. Petith of Kinderhook, NY Jacqueline Pflieger of Danbury, CT John Polhemus of Coventry, CT Ester Pollard of Sharon, CT Barbara W. Psarakis of South Kent, CT

Mr. and Mrs. Jon Stroble of Sharon, CT Virginia Bush Suttman of Kent, CT Mr. and Mrs. Arnold Valentine of Kent, CT John Veltri and Mike Jacoby of South Kent, CT Mr. and Mrs. James Vick of Kent, CT Mr. and Mrs. Rick Vizzari of Kent, CT Mr. and Mrs. Charles Webster of Dover Plains, NY Mr. and Mrs. Alan Weinblatt of Wassaic, NY Mr. and Mrs. Jerry White of Kent, CT Mr. and Mrs. Kenneth Whitmore of Kent, CT

Dr. and Mrs. Charles P. Whittemore of Salisbury, CT Mr. and Mrs. William Whynott of Kent, CT Mr. and Mrs. Bruce Wilkins of Kent, CT Mr. Rodney Williams of Kent, CT Mr. and Mrs. Matthew Winter of Kent, CT Stuart Wurtzel and Patrizia Von Brandenstein of New York, NY Mr. and Mrs. Wesley Wyrick of South Kent, CT Mrs. Henry Zaccara of New Milford, CT Dr. and Mrs. Gabriel Zatlin of Kent, CT

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Once an accomplished military man ardently supporting the American Revolution, Benedict Arnold eventually turned on his friends, neighbors, and fellow soldiers to become the terrorist whose name is synonymous with the word “traitor.” As part of the Sunday Series pro-grams, Eric D. Lehman will examine Benedict Arnold as a homegrown terrorist. The discussion will take place on Sunday, January 24, 2015 at 2:00 PM at the Kent Town Hall.

In a talk and book signing, Author Eric D. Leh-man will share the historical look back at Arnold that he presents in his recent book, Homegrown Terror: Benedict Arnold and the Burning of New London. The story sheds light on the ethics of the dawning nation and the way colonial America responded to betrayal and terror. Lehman, an historian and author of numerous books about Connecticut, teaches literature and creative writing at the University of Bridgeport. His essays, reviews, poems, and stories have been published in dozens of journals and magazines.

Just at Press Time: New Officers for the KHS

Right before a round of Kent Jeopardy on No-vember 15, the Kent Historical Society voted in a new slate of officers. The new President of the Board of Trustees is Michael Everett, the new Vice President is Lynn Mellis Worthington, the new Treasurer is Bruce Whipple, and the new

secretary is Melissa Cherniske. We also gave our grateful thanks to several board members who left the Board of Trustees this year: Patricia Case, Charlotte Lindsey, Richard Lindsey, and Jennie Rehnberg.

Upcoming Sunday Series Program

William Purcell of South Kent, CT Pat Purdy of Sharon, CT Elizabeth Ritchie of Decatur, GA Robert Rothenberg of New York, NY Irene J. Ruggiera and Sharon, CT Susie Rundall of Kent, CT John Russell of Kent, CT Faline Schneiderman of New Fairfield, CT Peggy Seneca of Dover-Foxcroft, ME Sandra M. Shiflett of Kent, CT Janet Skinner of Brooklyn, NY

Individual Members (continued) Marge Smith of Kent, CT Donna Sommers of Kent, CT Bunny Soule of Kent, CT Paul Tines of Kent, CT Marjorie A. Vreeland of Kent, CT Cliff Waldow of Sharon, CT Jean Waterhouse of New Preston, CT Reverend Roger B. White of Kent, CT J. Fenton Willams of Torrington, CT Diane Woodward of South Kent, CT Michael Zients of New York, NY

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Hot Dogs and History in One Bun By Brian Thomas

Some things are constant in Kent. The Ice Watch. Bull’s Bridge. The schools. And since 1979, the familiar cry, “Hot dogs! Get your hot dogs!” from Chris Dalla Riva’s hot dog stand on Route 7. He’s been there every summer, wit-nessing Kent history unfolding under his blue and yellow umbrella.

He hasn’t always been at the same spot. Selling hot dogs started as a project for him and his brothers back when Jimmy Carter was President. The boys stationed themselves on a grass island next to what was then the Gulf station (now Patco). His brothers moved on to other things, but Chris donned the apron every summer. After some years he migrated a little bit south to his current location.

He’s seen a great deal change over the years.

“There used to be many more gas stations in town. Now it’s only Patco.” He wonders why there are so few these days. Better mile-age, maybe, or tighter environmental rules? Such are the thoughts that occur as custom-ers roll up and place their orders.

Another curious feature he’s noticed -- Main Street used to be far more wooded. Storms and other bad weather have punished the trees that used to line the road. Economic development and street widening took out some. Various blights and tree diseases have played their role.

The constants might be more important than the differences. The stand has always served as a meeting place. People can spread out to the various picnic tables that mark the site.

It’s a convivial spot, where a surprising amount of town business and socializing gets trans-acted. Relationships have started and ended at those picnic tables.

What’s a misconception that people have about you? “Everybody thinks I go to Florida on what I make doing this. I don’t go to Florida. Selling hot dogs won’t sustain me for a year.” During the winter he works as an electrician for long-time KHS friend and benefac-tor John Gleason. But he’ll be back in the spring. “I love doing it. It makes me feel connected to the town.”

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Kent Historical Society PO Box 651 Kent, CT 06757

Kent Quiz

How many railroad crossings are there in Kent?

This is a test of the mental map of Kent you have in your head. The total may be more than you think!

Answer to the last quiz: (When was the rock cut on Rte 341 by Kent School enlarged?)

Many of you got this. The project began in 1961 and fin-ished in 1962. There is a map in the town hall from the State of CT. John Thorpe worked for the contractor with a huge bulldozer. He knew John and when he stopped at the site to talk to the contractor about possible work, the exist-ing workers were too scared to attempt unloading the bull-dozer. Thorpe unloaded the hopper for the contractor and he got the job.

Kent Historical Society 10 Studio Hill Road, PO Box 651, Kent, CT 06757 860-927-4587 info@kenthistoricalsociety.org

www.kenthistoricalsociety.org

Officers Michael Everett, President

Lynn Mellis Worthington, Vice President Melissa Cherniske, Secretary; Bruce Whipple, Treasurer

Trustees Zanne Charity, Roger Gonzales, Beth Dooley, Tim Good, Jeffrey Morgan, Nancy Schaefer

Executive Director ~ Brian Thomas Curator/Archivist ~ Marge Smith

Assistant ~ Lyn Stirnweiss

Hours at Tallman House at 10 Studio Hill Road: Tuesdays 9 AM to Noon, Fridays 1 to 4 PM, or by appointment

This newsletter is printed and sponsored

by Moore & More Printing, Millerton, NY