Norfolk Then and Now

By Veronica Burns

With developers nipping at their heels, most small towns in Connecticut are struggling to retain their rural character. Union, in eastern Connecticut, is only one example among many. Situated in a triangle of larger towns that straddles the border into Massachusetts, Union has already been divided by I-84. A more recent development proposal has the potential to further divide the town and possibly pave the way for the Big Box Brigade. In our town, with the exception of the proposed Yale Golf Club and the recent approval of a storage facility on Route 44, Norfolk has so far avoided many of the development issues faced by other small Connecticut towns. Norfolk remains a rural destination and the current exhibit at the library, “Lost in the Greenwoods,” reminds us of that rural history and environment. What changes might our former residents see, if suddenly they were to reappear in our midst?

They would be startled at the amount of heavy truck traffic trundling through town on a daily basis. Yet, they might also encounter the horse-drawn carriage from Loon Meadow Farm, ambling along West Side, and think that time has stood still. Once off Route 44, there remain intact acres of open space, forests, meadows, hills, valleys and ridgelines that provide wonderful vistas.

Much work has been done to preserve these attractions. Dennis Hill suffered the effects of age and vandalism, but is once again a worthwhile stop. The burned, wooden roof on the pavilion has been replaced with a practical metal one. Damaged paving stones at the former summer residence have been repaired, the road to the pavilion resurfaced, and picnic tables strategically placed to enjoy a spectacular view of our Heritage region, including the nearby Haystack Mountain.

Our friends might make the climb to Haystack and check out the restored tower, still waiting to have its beacon replaced. Maybe this year Norfolk will see the installation of a new light, one that will not obscure the stars yet will beckon. And in keeping with the times, will it be solar-powered? Since the town has committed to the campaign to utilize clean energy, the beacon at Haystack could become an even more potent symbol, if it were to incorporate new technology.

After a hard day’s work in the lumber mills, might our loggers have taken a buggy ride to the Music Shed? If they were to go there today they would find a familiar setting, except for all those fancy cars in the field. And if they were to paddle a canoe around Beckley Pond, they would still find themselves encircled by undisturbed forest.

Last year, all of these features were formally recognized. A bill, now signed into law, makes Norfolk part of the Upper Housatonic Valley National Heritage Area. This designation will mean federal dollars for those who are involved in managing the area as well as giving a welcome boost to tourism. Norfolk is now recognized as part of the Highlands Coalition, a green buffer zone that stretches from eastern Pennsylvania to northwestern Connecticut, linking the Berkshires with the Blue Ridge Mountains.

Our logging friends would feel right at home, despite the decades in between.