GAYLORDSVILLE, Conn.—Summer Sunday Tours will again be offered to visitors of the Merwinsville Hotel from Sunday, July 6, through Sunday, Aug. 31.
There are three historic sites within a few miles of each other in Gaylordsville.
The Merwinsville Hotel, the Little Red Schoolhouse, and Brown’s Forge are all open 2 to 4 p.m. each Sunday.
The Merwinsville Hotel at 1 Brown’s Forge offers a look back at life during the 1800s, as well as providing a look at railroad memorabilia in a small museum on the second floor.
Hosts will assist guests touring the hotel, sharing tidbits of information about its history. The annual orb hunt also begins July 6 with two glass spheres hidden on the hotel property.
The hotel opened for business in 1843 as a meal stop for the Housatonic Railroad.
Restoration of the third floor ballroom was completed after 54 years of renovation and it is available for viewing. This structure is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
There is also a period garden on the south lawn of the building, tended by master gardeners.
The Little Red Schoolhouse, built in 1740 and used until 1967, is located on Gaylord Road.
The schoolhouse, which was restored by the town of New Milford in 1998, is on Gaylord Road. It is operated by the Gaylordsville Historical Society. The Little Red Schoolhouse was the last one-room schoolhouse in operation in Connecticut.
The Little Red Schoolhouse, built in 1740 and used until 1967, is located on Gaylord Road. The schoolhouse, which was restored by the town of New Milford in 1998, is on Gaylord Road. It is operated by the Gaylordsville Historical Society. The Little Red Schoolhouse was the last one-room schoolhouse in operation in Connecticut.
Brown’s Forge, located just beyond the Merwinsville Hotel on Brown’s Forge Road, was built in 1871, and still has its original blacksmithing tools and working forges. It was in operation until 1962. The forge is owned by the Gaylordsville Historical Society.
There is no admission charge to any of the historic sites during the summer tours, but donations are welcome.
The Merwinsville Hotel is a national historic landmark located at 1 Brown’s Forge Road in Gaylordsville, only 15 minutes from Kent, Sherman, New Milford and the Harlem Valley/Wingdale Railroad Station.
For more information, call 860-350-4443 or visit www.merwinsvillehotel.org or www.gaylordsville.org.
