Events & Programs

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

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Many of Litchfield County’s most serene landscapes once hummed with the sounds of industry. This is certainly true of Washington’s Steep Rock Preserve, home for three-quarters of a century to the Shepaug Valley Railroad, which connected large portions of Litchfield County to the nation’s burgeoning railroad network. This virtual presentation will focus on the construction and operation of that railroad, while also exploring its impact on the local community and the environment.   About Peter Vermilyea Peter Vermilyea teaches history at Housatonic Valley Regional High School in Falls Village, CT, and for the University of Connecticut. He is the author or editor of three books including Hidden History of Litchfield County, for which he received the CultureMax award, and Litchfield County and the Civil War.

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Steep Rock's Centennial Events are made possible by the support of Platinum Sponsors Chipman Mazzucco Emerson, LLC; Fiorita Kornhaas & Company, PC; New Morning Market; William Raveis Lifestyles Realty; and Gold Sponsor Arthur J. Gallagher Insurance & Risk Management.

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's Centennial Events are made possible by the support of Platinum Sponsors Chipman Mazzucco Emerson, LLC; Fiorita Kornhaas & Company, PC; New Morning Market; William Raveis Lifestyles Realty; and Gold Sponsor Arthur J. Gallagher Insurance & Risk Management.

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

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Additional details to follow. Steep Rock's Centennial Events are made possible by the support of Platinum Sponsors Chipman Mazzucco Emerson, LLC; Fiorita Kornhaas & Company, PC; New Morning Market; William Raveis Lifestyles Realty; and Gold Sponsor Arthur J. Gallagher Insurance & Risk Management.

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.

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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.

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Steep Rock's Centennial Events are made possible by the support of Platinum Sponsors Chipman Mazzucco Emerson, LLC; Fiorita Kornhaas & Company, PC; New Morning Market; William Raveis Lifestyles Realty; and Gold Sponsor Arthur J. Gallagher Insurance & Risk Management.