Hidden Gems Of Connecticut — The 1st Christmas Tree

WINDSOR LOCKS, CT — The latest trek to a Hidden Gem takes us to what is, by all accounts, the site of the first decorated Christmas tree in the nation that happens to be in Connecticut.

OK, we didn't even have a nation yet. The origin dates back to 1777 and the surrender of the British army during the American Revolution, shortly after the loss at Saratoga in the fall. As legend has it (along with the Windsor Locks Historical Society), a group of Hessian soldiers, now POWs, were making their way to a camp near Boston.

One of them, Hendrick Roddemore, broke ranks, most likely near "The Notch" in north-central Connecticut, and wound up hiding out on a farm in Windsor Locks owned by Samuel Denslow.

Denslow took a liking to Roddermore and built the Hessian a cabin on his property, where he lived for some time.

The farm is now Noden-Reed Park at 58 Reed St., where the historical society has a museum.

An evergreen tree with a stone marker under it (talk about a hidden gem ... look close or you'll miss it), a bench and a stone monument pay tribute to an idea Roddermore had in 1777 — decorate a Christmas tree at the cabin, a tradition based on his German heritage.

The marker, courtesy of the Girl Scouts in 2008, says it is the first decorated tree in New England.

Considering the circumstances and date, that's arguably the first in America.

In 2018, local Boy Scout Joseph Chapman planted a sampling of different types of Christmas trees as part of an Eagle Scout project.

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The Hidden Gems series features out-of-the-way mom and pop restaurants, small specialty stores you may have never heard of, little-known historical markers or beautiful nature spots that may be a bit off the beaten path, all in Connectcut.