Family-Friendly Guided Tours Of Historic Park Offered In Norwalk

NORWALK, CT — The Norwalk Historical Society will be offering guided tours of the historic buildings and grounds at Mill Hill Historic Park in August.

According to a news release, the society’s programs and educational coordinator, Samantha Kulish-Fargione, will host the guided tours Aug. 7 at 1 p.m., 2 p.m. and 3 p.m.

Purchasing tickets in advance is highly recommended, as there is limited space per tour, the society said. Tickets can be found at www.NorwalkHistoricalSociety.org and include a 30-minute guided tour plus admission into the buildings to view the exhibits.

General admission is $10 for adults and $5 for seniors 65+ and youth. If you are a Connecticut family, children and one accompanying adult are free. To take advantage of this program, select “CT Summer at the Museum” when purchasing tickets. Limit 5 free children per family, the society said.

Mill Hill Historic Park is located at 2 East Wall Street in Norwalk. Limited parking is available on site. Additional parking is at the Family Center/HSC building on the corner of East Wall Street and Park Street. Follow the blue parking signs.

Guests can learn the history of Mill Hill, the various historic buildings on site, including the 1835 town meeting house, c1740 Governor Fitch Law Office and the c1826 Downtown District Schoolhouse, as well as the Mill Hill Burying Ground and the Colonial Herb Garden. At the end of the guided tour, take time to explore the exhibits inside the buildings. Kulish-Fargione will be available to answer questions.

Explore the Society's new award-winning exhibit, "Norwalk's Changing Communities: 13,000 BC - 1835" in Mill Hill's town meeting house, which includes hands on activities for visitors of all ages. Visit the c1740 Governor Fitch Law Office and learn about colonial governor Thomas Fitch, as well as daily life during the mid 1700's.

Tour the c1826 Downtown District One Room Schoolhouse and the exhibit, "One Room Schoolhouses: A History of Education in Norwalk 1650-1870," which highlights the early history of education in Norwalk using old photographs, original documents and period textbooks. Write on a slate, answer questions on the chalk board and write with a quill. Experience school life in the early to mid 1800's.

Funding for the CT Summer at the Museum program is provided by the CT General Assembly, with the support of Connecticut Humanities and the Department of Economic and Community Development, Office of the Arts, which also receives support from the federal ARPA.

More information is available at www.norwalkhistoricalsociety.org.