Hidden History of Connecticut

Hidden History

by Wilson Faude

Connecticut's history is full of engaging and fascinating stories, rocks that are national monuments, the "people's sculptor," football players on chapel finials, moons on the Travelers calendars, artists Frederic Church and Eric Sloane and even a Thanksgiving Day touch football game with a future president.
These are tales from Greenwich to Enfield, from Sharon to Old Lyme and so much in between. Follow along with historian Wilson Faude in this "must-have" Connecticut book as he traverses the state in search of hidden history.

Genres: History

128 pages, Paperback

First published November 26, 2010

Reviews

[Carol]

Great little book on Connecticut history. As a "nutmegger" knew 2/3 of the book as a resident & from being a docent at the Wadsworth Atheneum. I was looking for information on the Colt family but sadly not there. Didn't know that CT was the first to do "talking" books for the blind. I recommend seeing the homestead of Harriet Beecher Stowe, Mark Twain, Butler-McCook all in Hartford and Theodate Pope-Riddle's Hill-Stead Museum in Farmington. The web site for all art museums in CT: http://www.arttrail.org/museums.htm. A MUST SEE is the Boar's Head Festival at the Asylum Congregational Church in Hartford, you cannot believe it until a live camel walks right by you! -- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ObT7QS...

[Gail Johnson, Ph.D]

Really like how Wilson explains how the United States came to be named as well as other interesting facts.

[Raul]

I bought this book because I buy everything about CT, the book has been well reviewed, and finally, it is hard to live in CT and not know who is W.H. Faude. I confess, however that I found it a little tedious to wend my way through all 31 vignettes. The less you know about CT, and its history, the more you will enjoy this book. Certainly this is an entertaining way to introduce a new generation to many of the high points in the history of the State, the nation, and even the role of the Church in colonial times. Furthermore, until reading this book, most of us may not have fully appreciated the extraordinary significance of "The Fundamental Orders" is shaping what ultimately became the US Constitution, which in turn is recognized world-wide as the best example of a government whose power emanates from the people and not some higher authority.

As to the other aspects of the book, I can't help but think of what Faude's selection leaves out. For example, why the focus on the Eric Sloane Museum instead of Philip Johnson's Glass House, also in New Cannan, and just as "Hidden" yet so much more significant and memorable? And what a crime to mention the Barnum Museum without saying something about the Peabody Museum of Natural History, which is very much of a hidden, unappreciated jewel, more so in fact than the New Britain Museum of Art. Also, why does the author hardly ever venture east of the CT River?: Half the State is there and there is more to it than just what is in Old Lyme. For example what about those great mills, plus the Canadian influence. And what a shame that industrial manufacturing (the source of much of the State's wealth) is so poorly represented, an omission that could have been easily remedied by steering the reader to one or two of the extant Iron Bridges or some fascinating canal remnants. So let's just say that this is very "Faude's Hidden History of CT" and there remains yet another "Hidden History of CT" waiting to be discovered.

[Andy Nieradko]

Hidden History of Connecticut by Wilson H. Faude is fantastic. I had the honor of working for Mr. Faude for several years when he ran the historic Old State House in Hartford. Beyond a scholarly historian, and master storyteller, he is a living legend in the Hartford region. This book is full of great stories, but what makes it interesting is how each story is looked at through different perspectives, deepr levels, and how many of the established "facts" are disputed. I found the history of Victorian Christmas celebrations particularly fascinating. I was completely unaware of the "battle" to bring wholesome, Christian values into Christmas celebrations, or that early traditions in New England led to the coining of the phrase, "Halloween with attitude." The help lent by Hartford resident Harriet Beecher Stowe, and the Abolitionist Movement is very thought provoking. Without giving away any more spoilers, suffice it to say, there many historical gems to be found in this book. A great, fun read, as well as an indispensable guide to museums and historic sites to see that are a bit off the beaten path.

[Kayleigh Mihalko]

Hidden History of Connecticut is a fascinating read. Anyone with an interest in the state or a more intimate history of the beginning of the country would enjoy this book. It also gives the reader a few ideas of things to do and places to visit in the state.