Friends of Valley Falls Annual Meeting is Sept. 27

Everyone is welcome to join the Friends of Valley Falls from 1 to 3 pm Sept. 27 for their Annual Meeting at the Valley Falls Farm and Heritage Center. Following a short business meeting, guest speaker Dan Hayden, Executive Director of the New England Civil War Museum, will take us on a journey through the eyes of four individuals who lived and experienced the American Civil War. Dan will focus on two Vernon residents - Joseph Porter and Lizzie Chester, along with Seth Plumb from Litchfield, and George Abbe from East Windsor. They all lived different lives but shared a common humanity.

Refreshments will be served and the buildings at the Heritage Center museum will be open following the program. The Heritage Center includes displays on the many colorful owners of the farm, including rifle designer Christian Sharps, a phony Hungarian Count, and the Beach Family, who all enjoyed the scenic property as a gentleman's farm.

The meeting will be in the lower level of the Red Barn at Valley Falls Farm and Heritage Center, 345 Valley Falls Road, Vernon. Parking is limited at the Red Barn, so those who can walk the short distance are asked to park at Valley Falls Park and take the scenic trail that leads from the park to the Barn.

The Heritage Center is also open for tours 1-4 p.m. Sept. 20, Oct. 4, & Oct. 18, with a guided tour from 2-3 pm on each of those Sundays. Free admission; donations always welcome.