Middletown in Middlesex County, Connecticut — The American Northeast (New England)

deKoven House Community Center

Photographed By Michael Herrick, November 28, 2016

1. deKoven House Community Center Marker

Inscription. 1782 deKoven House Community Center 1942
Middletown, Connecticut

1748 John Lewis deKoven 1821
Founder

1871 Clarence Seymour Wadsworth 1941
Donor

Dedicated to the deKoven and Wadsworth families who loved this house
and developed or served communities from here to China. They distinguished themselves as soldiers, sailors, teachers, preachers, bankers and musicians.
May this house and river view continue to be a solace and inspiration to others.

Tercentenary Week. September 1950

Erected 1950.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Charity & Public Work.

Location. 41° 33.773′ N, 72° 38.898′ W. Marker is in Middletown, Connecticut, in Middlesex County. Marker is at the intersection of deKoven Drive and Washington Street, on the right when traveling south on deKoven Drive. Located in front of deKoven House. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 27 Washington Street, Middletown CT 06457, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. The deKoven House (within shouting distance of this marker); Old City Hall Bell (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Middletown and the Connecticut River (about

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600 feet away); The UNESCO Slave Route Project (about 700 feet away); Jehosaphat Starr House (approx. 0.2 miles away); Middletown in the 1900s (approx. 0.2 miles away); Middletown in the 1800s (approx. 0.2 miles away); Middletown in the 1700s (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Middletown.

Regarding deKoven House Community Center. During the American Revolution, a captured Hessian soldier was paroled to wait out the fight with a prominent merchant family in Middletown. This German officer, Johann Ludwig Koven, made a new life in Middletown, marrying one of the family's daughters. But he sailed back to Europe in 1785 and left his wife and infant son behind. Legend has it he finally returned, only to find his wife had wed another. The old soldier, now known as John Lewis deKoven, started life over with a second wife and family in England. Henry, the son left behind, grew up to be a successful merchant in the China trade who invested money in a fledgling frontier town known as Chicago. A great-grandson was Reginald deKoven, a famous composer who wrote ``Oh Promise Me.'' Another great-grandson

Photographed By Michael Herrick, November 28, 2016

2. deKoven House Community Center Marker

was Col. Clarence S. Wadsworth, a noted environmentalist and philanthropist and founder of the Rockfall Foundation, which is based in the deKoven House.

Also see . . . The Rockfall Foundation and the Wadsworth Legacy. (Submitted on December 8, 2016, by Michael Herrick of Southbury, Connecticut.)

The deKoven House and Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Michael Herrick, November 28, 2016

3. The deKoven House and Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on December 8, 2016. It was originally submitted on December 8, 2016, by Michael Herrick of Southbury, Connecticut. This page has been viewed 374 times since then and 14 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on December 8, 2016, by Michael Herrick of Southbury, Connecticut.