Norfolk Historic District in Litchfield County, Connecticut — The American Northeast (New England)
Norfolk
In the heart of the Green Woods on what was later the Hartford-Albany Turnpike, Norfolk was settled in 1744 by Cornelius Brown of Windsor. The town was incorporated in 1758 with forty-four voters at the first town meeting. A meeting house was built, and in 1761 the Reverend Ammi R. Robbins became the first minister, serving for fifty-two years. Twenty-four men from Norfolk marched to aid Boston in April, 1775, and over one hundred and fifty fought in the Revolutionary War. The early settlers were farmers, erecting sawmills, gristmills, and blacksmithies for their own needs. Using the waterpower of the Blackberry River, the town became industrial in the 1800's, manufacturing such diverse products as linseed oil, men's hats, woolens, cheese boxes, scythes and hoes.
In the later 19th century industry declined, but the coming of the Connecticut Western Railroad in 1871, together with Norfolk's natural beauty contributed to the growth of a thriving summer colony.
Largely through the efforts of the Battell and Eldridge families, Norfolk has been a center of culture since the establishment of the Norfolk Library in 1888 and the Litchfield County Choral Union in 1899. The Stoeckel Estate and its famous Music Shed, often visited by many of the world's greatest musical artists, is now the home of the Yale Summer School of Music and Art.
Erected 1975 by The Town of Norfolk, the Norfolk Historic District Commission, and the Connecticut Historical Commission.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Colonial Era • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical month for this entry is April 1775.
Location. 41° 59.32′ N, 73° 11.974′ W. Marker is in Norfolk, Connecticut, in Litchfield County. It is in the Norfolk Historic District. Marker is at the intersection of Litchfield Road (Connecticut Route 272) and Greenwoods Road East (U.S. 44), on the right when traveling north on Litchfield Road. Located on the Norfolk Village Green. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Norfolk CT 06058, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 5 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Norfolk Soldiers Monument (within shouting distance of this marker); The Norfolk Academy (within shouting distance of this marker); Norfolk Veterans Monument (within shouting distance of this marker); Mills - Emerson House (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Norfolk World War I Monument (approx. 0.4 miles away); East Canaan Veterans Monument (approx. 4.7 miles away); Samuel Forbes (approx. 4.7 miles away); The Rock School (approx. 4.9 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Norfolk.
Also see . . .
1. Town of Norfolk. (Submitted on April 11, 2010, by Michael Herrick of Southbury, Connecticut.)
2. Norfolk, Connecticut on Wikipedia. (Submitted on April 11, 2010, by Michael Herrick of Southbury, Connecticut.)
3. Norfolk Historical Society. (Submitted on April 11, 2010, by Michael Herrick of Southbury, Connecticut.)
Credits. This page was last revised on February 10, 2023. It was originally submitted on April 11, 2010, by Michael Herrick of Southbury, Connecticut. This page has been viewed 796 times since then and 10 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on April 11, 2010, by Michael Herrick of Southbury, Connecticut.