Upcoming Events

Visit the Historic Dams of Middletown

Saturday, May 18, 10am - Noon
Meet in the parking lot of the former Hartford Courant building across from the Middletown Stop and Shop (East Main St.)
(See note below on walking distance, difficulty, footwear, and safety.)

Like many European settlements in New England, Middletown fueled its expansion by building sawmills and grist mills along its best streams.

Visiting these dams and watercourses in person allows us to see Middletown and visualize its evolution in a whole new way.

Elise Springer, Associate Professor of Philosophy at Wesleyan University, will be with us as we collectively examine 5 of these early dams (or their remains) and imagine life in Middletown centuries ago.

Note: Participants will need to walk only a short distance (100-300 feet) at each dam site. Optional, closer inspection of some dams at participant's own risk requires sturdy footwear to negotiate steep, uneven, and dangerous terrain.

 

Canoe and Kayak Paddle

Saturday, June 22, 11 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Departing from Harbor Park (46 Harbor Dr.) in Middletown
Suggested Donation $10 per person

This annual event draws a large number of paddlers to explore and enjoy the spectacular lower Mattabesset and Coginchaug Rivers, as well as the "Floating Meadows" where those two rivers converge. The event is timed to take place at high-tide.

In addition to learning about the ecology of the river and freshwater tidal wetlands, participants will search for invasive and harmful water chestnut plants that have been found in other stretches of the river. Participants will also be encouraged to pick up plastic bottles, cans, and other debris as part of the Jonah Center's ongoing effort to beautify and protect our local waterways. Paddlers need to provide their own boats, paddles, drinking water, sunscreen, and life jackets.

A group of fourth graders from Macdonough School in Middletown will be on board to explore this scenic waterway that surrounds their neighborhood.

Advance registration is requested but not strictly required. Click here or call 860-398-3771. To help cover insurance costs for this event, each participant is asked to make a $10 donation to the Jonah Center. In case of cancellation due to bad weather, the trip will be held on July 6 at 11 a.m.

 

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