Events & Programs

In the late 1800s, Ehrick Rossiter (1854-1941) recognized the inherent beauty of the Shepaug River Valley and bought up riverfront land, including a renowned hillside known as Steep Rock. Carriage roads were built through the valley’s fields and forests linking scenic overlooks, river crossings, and picnic spots. He called his riverside retreat Steep Rock Park. In 1925 Rossiter founded a land trust to preserve it and open it to the public for everyone to enjoy. Today, his 360-acre retreat is the heart of the 1,000-acre Steep Rock Preserve. Carol Santoleri’s, author of The History of Steep Rock Association: The Jewel in the Crown (2020), will tell the history of Steep Rock. In a richly illustrated presentation featuring “then and now” comparisons with 120-year-old photographs from the Gunn Historical Museum, Santoleri will shed light on the making of a land trust that has blossomed within Washington, CT over the past 100 years. Santoleri is a landscape historian and photographer who has spent 25 years hiking the trails of Steep Rock Preserve. With a fine arts degree in landscape architecture from Rhode Island School of Design and a master’s in landscape history from Columbia University, Carol brings both artistic and research-driven insights to her work. Steep Rock Centennial Events are generously supported by Fioritas Kornhaas & Company PC, New Morning Market, William Raveis Lifestyles Realty, Gallagher Insurance, Hanggi & Company CPAs, LLC, National Iron Bank, Trevenen & Coploff LLC, Alliant Insurance Services, Kelly Law Offices and Plain Goods.  

Centennial Event - Shepaug Railroad: A Historic Era Virtual Speaker Series with Peter Vermilyea, Thurs., Feb. 20, 2025

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Additional details to follow. Steep Rock Centennial Events are generously supported by Fioritas Kornhaas & Company PC, New Morning Market, William Raveis Lifestyles Realty, Gallagher Insurance, Hanggi & Company CPAs, LLC, National Iron Bank, Trevenen & Coploff LLC, Alliant Insurance Services, Kelly Law Offices and Plain Goods.

Join us for this annual celebration of our amazing volunteers! Details and registration to follow.

Centennial Event - 100 Years of Conservation Virtual Speaker Series with Edwin Matthews, Thurs., March 20, 2025

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Additional details to follow Steep Rock Centennial Events are generously supported by Fioritas Kornhaas & Company PC, New Morning Market, William Raveis Lifestyles Realty, Gallagher Insurance, Hanggi & Company CPAs, LLC, National Iron Bank, Trevenen & Coploff LLC, Alliant Insurance Services, Kelly Law Offices and Plain Goods.

Centennial Event - Isaac Camp House Opening & Centennial Kickoff, Sat., April 5, 2025

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Additional details to follow. Steep Rock Centennial Events are generously supported by Fioritas Kornhaas & Company PC, New Morning Market, William Raveis Lifestyles Realty, Gallagher Insurance, Hanggi & Company CPAs, LLC, National Iron Bank, Trevenen & Coploff LLC, Alliant Insurance Services, Kelly Law Offices and Plain Goods.

Ancient Archaeological History of the Washington Area

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We will discuss the early archaeological history of the Washington, Shepaug, and Lake Waramaug area, covering approximately 12,000 years. This presentation will span from the Paleo period through the Archaic and into the Late Woodland periods, focusing on artifacts and information discovered to date, along with ongoing and future research. Craig Nelson is an avocational archaeologist who grew up in the area and has been working in the archaeological field since junior high school. He is an adjunct professor at Western Connecticut State University, where he teaches an archaeological field school and serves as the Chairman of the Board at the Institute for American Indian Studies, where he Chairs the Collections Committee. Additionally, he oversees archaeological digs for the Litchfield Hills Archaeological Club and belongs to several professional organizations.   Steep Rock Centennial Events are generously supported by Fioritas Kornhaas & Company PC, New Morning Market, William Raveis Lifestyles Realty, Gallagher Insurance, Hanggi & Company CPAs, LLC, National Iron Bank, Trevenen & Coploff LLC, Alliant Insurance Services, Kelly Law Offices and Plain Goods.