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Legend has it that in the mid-1700s, Molly Barber of Wethersfield declared she would marry the next man who asked, because her wealthy and difficult father had rejected all of her previous suitors. It was around this time that a young Narragansett Indian man named James Chaugham arrived at the Barber’s estate looking for work and lodging. Enamored with Molly, he proposed. Against her family’s wishes, Molly accepted. They escaped into the wilderness of northwestern Connecticut, where they built a home and raised eight children. As time went on, their homestead expanded, eventually becoming a village of outcasts for those of Native American, European, and African descent.
Join Professor Kenneth Feder, CCSU professor and the archaeologist who originally excavated this site, and learn about the unique history of the Lighthouse community, how it got its name, and the archeological legacy its residents left behind. Then Dr. Feder will lead a hike along the Barkhamsted Lighthouse Trail, featuring a quarry where the setters extracted stones for home foundations, a cellar-hole, a large grinding stone used to prepare corn meal, charcoal mounds used to produce fuel for iron furnaces, and the cemetery where James, Molly, and many of their descendants are buried. Wear appropriate footwear for hiking. Saturday, June 9, 10 am to 12 noon.
The program fee is $15, $10 for Museum members. Advanced Registration is required. This is a program for adults and children ages 8 and above. Children must be accompanied by an adult. For registration information visit
http://cac.uconn.edu/mnhcurrentcalendar.html or call 860-486-4460.
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