While The Championships, Wimbledon, founded in 1877, may be the oldest tennis tournament in the world, Norfolk had its own attraction: the annual Norfolk, Conn., Open Tournament, beginning in 1895. Heavily advertised in many lawn tennis publications, the tournament was held at the Eldridge Gymnasium (now Town Hall) for three days in August and drew players from across the Northeast competing for the Bridgman Cup. A review of the 12th annual tournament in 1906 read: “There were 25 entries and play of a high order was developed from the start. The tournament has grown constantly in favor and new players make their appearance each year to contest for honors. . . . Norfolk is easily reached from points along the New York & New Haven Railroad and from Hartford, Poughkeepsie and Rhinecliff, via the Central New England Railroad. The elevation of Norfolk is nearly 1,400 feet and the place is well supplied with hotels and boarding houses for a comfortable stay.”

—Ann Havemayer

Photo courtesy of the Norfolk Historical Society.