Matthies Grove-Peoples Forest, also, Wild and Scenic Farmington River. Farmington River Wild and Scenic /. Matthies Grove-Peoples Forest Farmington River Wild and Scenic. Before European Settlement A thriving population inhabited this river valley for thousands of years. Across the field from this kiosk, in an area now known as High Bank, a significant drop in the Farmington River creates rapids and an ideal fishing spot. On a 1771 map this area is identified simply as "Indian Place." The name suggests that Indigenous people, such as the Tunxis, used this area extensively. The geography of the river valley in this spot creates rapids and a large pool., In the deep woods of Peoples State Forest, high from the river valley is the now named Walter Landgraf Soapstone Quarry. 3,000 years ago you would find Indigenous people there, pounding the soft soapstone with quartzite tools to produce valuable bowls for cooking and trade. Today at this Connecticut State Archaeological Preserve, you can see the half-formed abandoned soapstone bowls still anchored to the quarry rock., Youngsdale Sawmill Directly across the Farmington River at the bottom of High Bank rapids are the ruins of this mill. In addition to lumber, it also produced shingles, bedsteads chair stock and clothespins., Squires Tavern Across East River Road is the Squires Tavern, possibly built as early as 1795. Bela Squire owned the property for 40 years until his death in 1861. There on what was the Farmington River Turnpike he ran a tavern, farm and blacksmith shop. After, the Ullmann family owned and ran a farm there until the early 1900s. In 1929 the property was given to the State. Today the meticulously restored tavern is the home of the Barkhamsted Historical Society. Oswald Ullmann A German immigrant and owner of the Squires Tavern Farm is harvesting hay in the field where this kiosk is located. Note the lack of trees on the hill in the background. This area had been cut over repeatedly to provide wood to make charcoal. Forest fires prevented regrowth of the forest., State Tree Nursery Millions of trees were grown on this site for the reforestation of Connecticut land from the 1930s to 1955. This same land had supported farm crops for over 160 years before the Matthies family of Seymour, Connecticut purchased it from the Ullmann family and donated it to the State of Connecticut in 1929., The Peoples State Forest Nature Museum From here a short path crosses East River Road and takes you to the Nature Museum with a beautiful view across the river valley. The unique stone building was built by the Civilian Conservation Corps in 1935. The structure and large fireplace are constructed from local fieldstone American Chestnut was milled for the large exposed trusses and interior paneling, [Inset:] For more than 12,000 years, Indigenous people have used and stewarded the lands and waters in what is now known as the Farmington River Valley. The river was once called Wattunkshauspo - "fast flowing and winding river." It was later shortened to Tunxis - "the beautiful river that ripples down through the hills." At the time of European colonization in the 1600s, Algonkian speaking groups, such as the Tunxis and Mahican tribes, would have called this area home. Due to displacement and disruptions there are currently no tribal lands along the river, but Native American communities, including descendants of these groups still live throughout Connecticut and across the continent. Their continued presence and legacy can be found in the landscape., Wild and Scenic Farmington River. What is the "Wild and Scenic" Designation? The U.S. Congress established the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System in 1968 to protect outstanding rivers from the harmful effects of federally-assisted projects such as new dams, hydroelectric facilities, and bridges. Fewer than 1% of rivers nationwide have this designation. In 1994, 14 miles of the west branch of the Farmington River received National Wild and Scenic River status. It is the first river in Connecticut designated Wild and Scenic and one of just a few in New England. Today this segment stretches over 15 miles from Hartland into Canton., What makes the Farmington River Wild and Scenic? The Farmington River features natural beauty, historic sites, recreational opportunities, rare wildlife and exceptional fisheries. These outstanding characteristics meet the requirements for inclusion in the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System., Protective Strategies . The Upper Farmington River Management Plan provides a framework for protecting the river corridor by coordinated local, State and federal actions. The plan is implemented by the Farmington River Coordinating Committee whose members include: the towns of Colebrook, Hartland, Barkhamsted, New Hartford and Canton, as well as the Farmington River Watershed Association, Metropolitan District Commission, National Park Service, the State of Connecticut, the Farmington River Anglers Association and Farmington Valley Trout Unlimited. . River protection through local zoning. . All federally sponsored, funded or permitted water resource projects along the W&S segment are reviewed by the National Park Service for consistency in protecting the outstanding resources for which the river was designated.