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Home History Places of Interest About Us Events Membership Links |
Places of Interest in Rocky Hill, Connecticut The Rocky Hill Historical Society recommends visiting the following attractions of historical importance: The Academy Hall was built in 1803, financed in part from public funds and in part by private contributions. The project was not a financial success, and the builder, Abraham Jaggers, went bankrupt as a result. A rectangular, two story brick building, the
Academy Hall originally had two large chimneys, one at either end, and an arched
ceiling in the upper floor. It was used as a school in which higher mathematics
and navigation were taught, in a town that was, at the time, a bustling river
port. Many of its students went on to be sea captains. Maritime activity diminished sharply after 1820, following the completion of a navigable channel in the Connecticut River north to Hartford. By 1839, when it was gutted by fire, the building was a country schoolhouse with an upper floor that would see many uses. The interior was rebuilt, the massive chimneys replaced by small flues, and the Academy used as a primary school in one form or another until 1940. Currently owned by the Town of Rocky Hill and leased to the Rocky Hill Historical Society, the Academy Hall is used by the Historical Society as a museum, headquarters, and the Ethel Miner Cooke Historical Library. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
May-October ~ Saturdays from 12:30 p.m. to 3 p.m.
and the Fourth Thursdays of June, July, August and September, 7-9 p.m.
Year round ~ Tuesdays from 10 a.m. to noon,
and by appointment.
New exhibits for this season:
- Artifacts from
the Past THE ETHEL MINER COOKE HISTORICAL LIBRARY The library was established in 1968 to preserve the written history of Rocky Hill through collections of books, manuscripts, stories, oral histories, photographs, maps and paper memorabilia. Housed in the Academy Hall, it is open for research. Local histories, books by local authors, some genealogies of town families, and manuscripts written by students of history are in its files and on its shelves. The books, periodicals, and photographs tend to reflect local history and related events. This is an active navigable river to Hartford, the capital of Connecticut; tankers and pleasure craft ply its waters. The five-mile reach north of the Ferry landing has been listed in the Nationwide Rivers Inventory and is bordered by the great meadows. Information on The Connecticut River Museum can be found at: www.ctrivermuseum.org. THE ROCKY HILL-GLASTONBURY FERRY
Hundreds of dinosaur footprints were discovered in 1966 at this National Landmark, and are now on display in the park building along with related exhibits. There are also well-labeled nature trails at Dinosaur State Park, showing the plant and animal life of a swamp forest. Telephone: (860) 529-8423.
THE CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH M The first structure was built in 1726 and the present one in 1808. It is on the National Register of Historic Places.
ROCKY HILL QUARRY PARK
From spring blossoms to the raging colors of a New England Autumn, there is no better way to enjoy the seasons than a walking tour. The Rocky Hill Historical Society is pleased to provide a new detailed brochure with historical points of interest listed for you to enjoy as you follow the map through the residential areas that hug the Connecticut River. The brochure is free and available for download by clicking on the picture to the right. It is also available at Academy Hall along with other walking tour brochures. Enjoy!
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The nation's oldest continuously operating
ferry. Since 1655, public transportation across the Connecticut River has been
provided at this site, connecting the towns of Rocky Hill and Glastonbury, both
formerly parts of the Town of Wethersfield. Motive power has been supplied at
various times by poles, oars, or horse treadmill and a steam engine, and
presently by diesel tug. It is now operated from June through October by the
State Department of Transportation.
Rocky Hill Quarry Park is a State owned, Town
managed, 84 acre park with spectacular views of Harford, Glastonbury Hills and
the Connecticut River. Trail maps are available in the lobby at the Rocky Hill
Historical Society.