Hold the Date -- September 26, 2009

This year’s Fall program, on Saturday, September 26, takes us to East Granby. In the morning, we’ll gather at the East Granby Community Center for our Social Hour, Memorial Service, Business Meeting, and Luncheon. In recognition of the fact that East Granby was originally Turkey Hills Parish, our luncheon will feature a turkey dinner catered by Kane’s of Simsbury, including their famous Squash Bake.In the afternoon, join us on a tour of Old New-Gate Prison and Copper Mine at the group rate of $4.00 per person. Originally founded as a copper mine in the early 1700s, New-Gate was first used as a prison to house Tories and Loyalists during the Revolutionary War. It was the first State Prison in America. The Prison also held Confederate prisoners during the Civil War. In 1976, New-Gate Prison was declared a National Historic Landmark. Old New-Gate Prison is one of Connecticut’s leading tourist attractions. Visitors enter the prison yard through 12' tall walls. The brick guardhouse still stands and houses exhibits, but only ruins remain of the other prison buildings. A modern stairway provides access underground where air temperature is always in the 50's. The visitor center contains a gift shop.