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Walking Tour of Historic High Street
October 16, 2024 @ 10:00 am - 11:30 am
$10 – $12
JOIN US FOR A WALKING TOUR OF MIDDLETOWN’S HISTORIC HIGH STREET, LED BY DEBORAH SHAPIRO AND ALAIN MUNKITTRICK, CO-AUTHORS OF HIGH STREET AND WESLEYAN UNIVERSITY, WITH MCHS EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR JESSE NASTA
DATE: SATURDAY, OCTOBER 19, 2024
10:00 AM TO 11:30 AM
WE WILL MEET AT 10:00 AM SHARP AT THE WASHINGTON TERRACE PARK (NEAR THE WAR MONUMENTS), CORNER OF WASHINGTON TERRACE AND HIGH STREET. PARKING IS AVAILABLE ON WASHINGTON TERRACE (PARALLEL TO WASHINGTON STREET) AND IN ANY WESLEYAN UNIVERSITY PARKING LOT.
This is a “light rain or shine” event; if it is lightly raining, bring an umbrella and good walking shoes. If it is pouring we will reschedule.
$10 for historical society members, $12 for non-members. Reserve your spot by paying online with a credit or debit card; please visit https://www.paypal.com/ncp/payment/777ZTNH6UUJE6
Beginning in the 1820s, some of Middletown’s most prominent residents built their mansions on High Street, most of which still stand and are now part of Wesleyan University’s campus. These include the homes of Samuel Russell, who made his fortune in the China trade, and Nathan Starr and Simeon North, some of the nation’s earliest arms manufacturers. A number of the street’s 19th-century architectural treasures are on the National Register of Historic Places, and Charles Dickens even reputedly called it “the most beautiful street in America.” OK, that last part has been difficult to prove, but it really was the most beautiful street in America, in our opinion!
Join us to learn about the fascinating history packed into High Street’s few short blocks. Signed copies of the book High Street and Wesleyan University will be available for sale.