Hebron Legends and Folklore- Gay City State Park

We tend to remember Hebron legends and folklore (ghost stories) around this time of year.  With so much going on and Halloween around the corner, it's always great to hear scary stories and legends that may have actually taken place.  Are they real?  Maybe, maybe not, but at least they can keep you wondering.

One of the legends and folklore surrounding Hebron, Connecticut is Gay City State Park.  Gay City State Park became an abandoned "ghost town" after its mills burned down shortly after the Civil War.  A few people still settled in the village, but it was mostly abandoned throughout the early 1900's.

Emma Phelps Foster lived in the last house standing at Gay City State Park, which was the saltbox house by the entrance of the park.  Upon her death in the 1940's, Emma ceded the park to the state, allowing it to become a state park.  Since then, the saltbox house was moved to Coventry, Connecticut.

Now today, Gay City State Park remains a state park, but not without its past legends and folklore.  Back when it was a 19th century mill town, some strange events happened.   Legends and folklore dictate the credibility of what exactly happened.  However, stories have been told (and several consistent stories) about the strange village and what went on at the time.

Below is a video about Gay City State Park.  The third section highlights the legends and ghost stories about Gay City State Park.

After the Methodist village originated in 1797, legends say that there were religious gatherings that had led to feuding and fighting.  Alcohol had been one of the main factors, as it was used routinely during religious gatherings, but brought little peace.  Brawls erupted between families, which led to some disastrous and fatal events.

But it wasn't just brawls among families.  There were some odd individuals who presided at the colony (now Gay City State Park), such as a circuit riding travelling preacher and community jester named Loomer.  Loomer was known to impersonate others within the village.  He took it upon himself to impersonate the travelling preacher, Reverend Colton.  Reverend Colton then mimicked Loomer to see who the better impersonator was.

A legend also mentions that one of the workers during the construction at the mill refused to build a canal because he claimed he saw water running uphill and that it was the "work of the devil."  He left the job site and never returned.

But the most alarming stories are the murders that weren't brought to justice.  The first story is about a blacksmith who murdered his teenaged apprentice because the boy was late to work.  There are variations to the story, but most are similar in that they claim the blacksmith beheaded his assistant.  Legends say the boy still haunts the park today, running around and carrying his head in his hands.

Another legend states that a jewelry peddler was murdered (possibly robbed) and thrown into a charcoal pit.  The murderer was never brought to justice.

Obviously there are variations with local spin offs to these stories and even additional stories and ghost sightings.  Many people have their own stories about the park and they claim the park gives them an eerie feel.  Some stories have been blogged on the website "Damned Connecticut" and can be read here: https://www.damnedct.com/gay-city-hebron

Not everything is known about Gay City State Park.  Those familiar with the park and its stories have since perished and much of the information is lost.  However, local folklore about the park still thrives and there are still parts about the park we can find out and learn about.  The above video has a lot of info about the park as well as the "Damned Connecticut" website.  Feel free to share your local Hebron ghost stories and Gay City State Park stories here, or email them to hebronmapleleaf@gmail.com.

Hebron Rocks!

This past June, the Hebron Historical Society hosted their annual plant and clothing drive.  In addition to the plant and clothing drive, HHS hosted "Hebron Rocks," an event where children and adults could come and paint various rocks to hide around Hebron.

The idea behind the event was to decorate the rocks, hide them, and then have Hebron civilians see if they can find them throughout the town.  The rocks are hidden in everyday spots, in public parks or grounds, and even near accessible locations (stairs, lampposts, or chairs).

This isn't just a Hebron thing.  Other towns and places have created a similar phenomenon.  Through hiding and finding rocks, it adds a culture and pride to one's town and home and gets people involved in the community.

When you find a rock, follow these instructions:
1. Admire the art on the rock and look to see what the art symbolizes
2. Pick it up and flip it over.  Notice that it has @hhsrocks written on it in marker
3. Post a picture on Facebook, Instagram, or in our Facebook Group, HHS Rocks
4. Keep it, hide it in a new location, or put it back for the next traveler to find
5. Smile! You are a part of Hebron’s history!

You are also welcome to make your own Hebron rocks to hide around town.  This is the perfect time of year now that the summer is over and we are all back at school again.  It is a great opportunity to remember, share, and experience Hebron as you embark on a new school year.

Another great idea would be to record how many rocks you can find, including their locations.  Then you can add additional locations or move the rocks to anew location (almost like geocaching).  There are endless possibilities and you can be the one to partake in them.  You can make HHS Rocks a fun and entertaining exploration!

These are some of the rocks that are hidden around town!  See if you can find them!

I will be sure to post HHS rocks to this page as I find them throughout town.

As you return back to school, and attend the Hebron harvest Fair this coming week, think and find HHS rocks and remember where you came from, that little town called Hebron.   Share in our community and enjoy Hebron rock hunting!

As always, share your story at hebronmapleleaf@gmail.com.

Come to the Hebron Farmers and Crafters Market

We in Hebron, Connect cherish our summers and outdoor events.  From Hebron Day to the Hebron Harvest Fair, there are so many events that take place in this town (no, it's not always that boring Connecticut town with nothing to do, contrary to the belief of many residents).  Part of enjoying your hometown is getting involved in your local community, and one way you can get involved is by attending our Local Farmers and Crafters Markets.

Bogue Farms vendor

Nonnie's Gourmet Pies

Some may envision these markets as a smaller version of Hebron Day, leading up to the Hebron Harvest Fair.  While that may be true, the Farmers and Crafters markets are all about our local businesses within our Hebron community and surrounding towns.  There are several of these markets throughout the summer, and they are a fun Saturday morning event that includes food, music, and vendors.  One way you can enjoy your summer here in Hebron, CT is to come to our local Farmers and Crafters Markets.  The Farmers Market has existed for some time in the Hebron community.  In the recent past, the markets have been sponsored and hosted by different groups within the Hebron community.  Now, for the past two years, Hebron Parks and Recreation hosts the event.  Rich Marzi, alongside Hebron Parks and Recreation staff have done a fantastic job preparing vendors and organizing the event.

Activity at the Farmers Market (music playing in background)

The Hebron Farmers Market takes place on various Saturday mornings (usually two a month, first and third Saturdays) throughout the summer in the Hebron Elementary School parking lot on 92 Church Street.  So far, we’ve had three Farmers Markets, two in June and one in July.  The remaining Farmers Markets events are scheduled for 8/3, 8/17, 9/14, and 9/28 from 9 AM to 12 PM.

The Hebron Farmers Market has local farmers, crafters, and several other vendors. The last market had nothing short of variety, including more than 20 vendors.  Some of these vendors have come to multiple Farmers Markets, while others joined in for the first time.  The vendors included fresh fruits, clothes, crafts, ice cream, and food trucks.  Additionally, musicians performed for entertainment.

The greatest part about the market is that all of these vendors are local to our community.  Some of the list of vendors and businesses that were present at the 7/13 Farmers Market include:

• Audra Casella
• Black Cate White Dog
•  Bogue Farms
• Cambera Farm
• Classic Scoop
• Colchester Curry House
• East Willow Farm
• Hartford Courant
• Home Prep Products
• Jeanne Z- Nanna’s Knitty
• Melzen Pet Supply
• Mike N. Harvest Grove Farms
• Granny’s Pie
• Simply Soy
• Soaps for Days
• White Oak Candle
• Wholly Goat Farm
• Wilkinson Farm
• Nana’s Pies
• Hebron Fire Department
• Creative Living

The Classic Scoop Ice Cream

Black Cat White Dog Farm

Purses and other items for sale 

Hebron Fire Department

A food truck

Harvest Grove Farm

Home Prep Products

Walking dogs by the Classic Scoop Ice Cream

Melzen's Pet Supply

Micro Greens

Lots of necklaces for sale

Pies for life

Simply Soy

Soaps for Days

Lots of tie-dye shirts

Wooden made welcome signs

Wholly Goat Farm

Wilkinson Farm

And still there’s more that may have not been listed here and/or have participated in earlier Farmers Markets events (I apologize if I missed your business.  Please send an email to hebronmapleleaf@gmail.com if you aren’t mentioned here and I will add you to the list).  Still more may come for the later markets in August and September.  It was interesting to see so many local vendors throughout Hebron and surrounding towns.  Not every market is exclusively from Hebron; however, the markets are all local and supporting our town and local community by participating at the event.  Still, some of the vendors have participated in order to get residents in our community involved, like The Hebron Fire Department, who held a booth at the Farmers Market in order to recruit new volunteers.

These vendors are here for our town and for the residents of Hebron, Connecticut.  I recommend that everyone come out and support our local businesses and our community.  It is through local businesses that we grow as a town and create a thriving community.  An event like this puts Hebron on the map, as local vendors have traveled from Bolton, Middletown, Manchester, Glastonbury and several other towns in order to share their businesses.  You may even run into people you know- a few of our Board of Selectmen members even showed up in attendance to check out the community and local vendors!  

These Farmers Markets are a perfect event for the summer months, especially if you're feeling extra lazy on a Saturday morning.  I urge everyone to come and have a great time.  Our Farmers Market on August 3rd will be very special because it will include a musical performance from the singer and songwriter, Emily Hope.  Hear her perform between 10 AM and 12 PM.  Also come to support our community and see our vendors between 9 AM and 12 PM.  It is always great to support our local businesses, so please come to the market to enjoy your Saturday morning!

For more information, visit the Facebook page for Hebron Farmers Markets: 

https://www.facebook.com/events/1076204862569257/

https://www.facebook.com/Hebron.Farmers.Market.CT/

Hebron's 4th of July Celebration

Happy Independence Day everyone.

Hebron residents gather at the green in front of the Old Town Hall to share in the Independence Day festivities. 

Today we had a special event sponsored by TTCP (The Town Center Project).  Hebron residents came together at the Old Town Hall to celebrate our nation's 243rd birthday.  This is the second annual celebration of the Fourth of July in Hebron, CT sponsored by TTCP.  The event was held in front of the Old Town Hall, which is the building owned and maintained by the Hebron Historical Society.

Hebron residents participate in the Pledge of Allegiance at the Fourth of July Celebration in front of the Old Town Hall.

In lieu of the holiday, there were a series of speakers, singers, and a poet.  John Collins, one of the First Selectmen, took to the podium to kick us off with the event at 9 AM this morning, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance, the National Anthem and the reading of the Constitution and Declaration of Independence.  TTCP was prepared, offering booklets containing the Declaration of Independence, as well as song packets for residents to bring in the holiday through singing patriotic songs.

For the event, TTCP offered refreshments, mini flags, a packet that included American songs, and booklets that included the Constitution and Declaration of Independence.

Danielle Golden, a senior at RHAM High School sang her phenomenal rendition of the National Anthem, to which John Collins acknowledged and mentioned it was "one of the best renditions of the National Anthem I had heard."

Danielle Golden (center) is featured here, singing the National Anthem.  John Collins is standing behind her to the right.

David Rose as William Williams, read the Declaration, along with three Boy Scouts: James Abu-Rahmeh, Ben Sullivan, and Triston Emmons.

David Rose, as William Williams, reads the Declaration of Independence.  Two Boy Scouts stand in the background.

After the Declaration was read, Tom Brancato of the American Legion Post 95 gave his remarks, which was then followed by "Americana in Song," led by Florence O'Sullivan and Dan Hollenbeck on keyboard.  Together, the Hebron residents sang several patriotic songs including "My Country 'Tis of Thee," "America the Beautiful," and "God Bless America."

Tom Brancato, of American Legion 95, shares
his remarks during the celebration

Florence O'Sullivan (right) leads the residents in song with Dan Hollenbeck (left) on keyboard

Hebron residents join in singing patriotic songs

After leading in song, Larry Zimmerman, a local resident and author, shared his patriotism by reading a poem he had written for the event.

Lastly, Judy Podell spoke about patriotism and TTCP's efforts to recognize Hebron ancestors and where Hebron residents had come from before ending up in Hebron.  Judy acknowledged that some residents may have been here for years while others have been in town for two weeks, but no matter the difference, everyone comes from somewhere.  TTCP had created a map with various pins on it that recognize the heritage of individuals.

Larry Zimmerman, a Hebron resident and
author, shares his poetry

The red pins are people who had participated in the survey, which was held earlier at various points throughout town.  The red pins are placed where the participants claimed they were from.  The white pins are where the participants' parents were from, and the blue pins recognize where the participants' grandparents immigrated from.  As the map showed, many of the participants' ancestors and relatives had immigrated from Europe, though there were other places marked by indicators as well.

John Collins then spoke again to wrap up the event and kick off our nation's holiday.  He had mentioned that attendance had doubled from last year's event and he hoped that the attendance would continue to climb as the event continues throughout the years.  The celebration of the 4th of July was an event that really brought several Hebron groups together to share in our nation's holiday, and it will be great to see it grow throughout the years as we celebrate our town, our nation, our heritage, and our American patriotism.

The world map with pins placed where Hebron residents came from

Mal Leichter, a volunteer for CVC, had filmed the event.  The event can be watched here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NJgI1QyrKqs

Additionally, if you'd like to help prepare events in Hebron, such as the Independence Celebration, consider joining TTCP (The Town Center Project).  Take a look at the Facebook page and contact Judy Podell if interested. See here: https://www.thetowncenterproject.org/ or https://www.facebook.com/towncenterprojectinc/

TTCP has other events planned throughout the year, such as the Summer Concert Series and The Harvest Moon Festival in October.  TTCP is always looking for help with these events, as well as with new and fresh ideas to "put feet on the street" and make Hebron a fun and lively town that everyone can enjoy.

If you missed this event, please watch the video (once posted) and plan to attend next year to support Hebron, Connecticut and bring in our nation's birthday.  If you have any other stories about Hebron you would like to share, you are welcome to post below and/or email at hebronmapleleaf@gmail.com.