Instead, Connecticut DOT should consider other alternatives to increase revenues that have been proposed by members of the communities served by the two historic ferries.

A petition drive is underway where signers can express their opposition to the DOT proposal. Here is link to the petition

According to Ed Chiucarello, of the Rocky Hill Riverfront Preservation Society, a public meeting with the DOT about the fare increase to held at Rocky Hill Community Center, Room 1, on May 20th at 6:30PM.

These are the fares currently charged at the Rocky Hill/Glastonbury ferry:

On Friday May 10 at 7:30 PM, in conjunction with our annual meeting, the Historical Society of Rocky Hill will present a 45 minute visual program, “Quarries of Selden Neck” by historian David Wordell. Mr. Wordell will be present to entertain questions and discussion following the viewing. Location: United Methodist Church, 623 Old Main Street, Rocky Hill. $10.00 per person. Enjoy coffee and dessert as we elect our officers for 2013-14.

The program details the days of quarries and schooners bound for New York City as well as other facts and folklore about Selden Island. Selden Neck Island is located in the Connecticut River between Lyme and Deep River.
More Information

Selden Island in the Connecticut River

Quarries of Selden by David Wordell

Presentation: Connecticut and the War of 1812
Date: Tuesday, March 26, 2013
Place: Cora J. Belden Library, 33 Church St., Rocky Hill, CT.
Time: 6:30 P.M.
Presenter: Glenn Gordinier
Co-Sponsors: Friends of the Cora J. Belden Library and the Rocky Hill Historical Society
Cost: Free
Refreshments will be provided

This presentation grew out of an exhibit, “The Rockets’ Red Glare: Connecticut and the Warof 1812–A Bicentennial Exhibit”, held at the Lyman Allyn Art Museum in New London,Connecticut, during the summer and fall of 2012.  A book by the same title was co-written by Glenn S. Gordinier under the guidance of the New London County Historical Society and provides fascinating insights into Connecticut’s participation in this little remembered or understood chapter in America’s early history.  

Glenn’s presentation sheds light on the events leading up to, during and after the War. Among the more interesting highlights he covers are the British raid on Essex, the Battle of Stonington as well as legacies of the War of 1812.

Glenn S. Gordinier teaches history for the Williams College/Mystic Seaport Program in Maritime Studies and for the University of Connecticut. He has written or co-written several books including Surfing Cold Water, Fishing Out of Stonington (Maritime) as well as The Rockets’Red Glare.

The Rockets’ Red Glare by Glenn Gordinier is available at Amazon:

Would any of you be able to help at the Rocky Hill Historical Society Tag Sale this coming Saturday, the 27th? We especially need people to help at 7:00 a.m. to carry boxes out to the tables on the sidewalk. We have a ton of stuff to put out, so the more people we have, the fewer trips each person needs to make, and the quicker we get done! Hope you can make it!

Thanks,
Nancy

In 1970, for example, academy Hall was nominated to the National Register of Historic Places. Eight women know as the Barbersharps sung patriotic songs. Historical society member from Huntington, Long Island traveled by canoe on the Connecticut River to celebrate the 200th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. Many names and program titles can be found in the extensive history of our society.
(from the society’s newsletter; Jeff Gubala, Ed.)

The entire document can be read at the “John Serra: History…” in the “Pages” sidebar at the right.

Rocky Hill: A History by Rafaele Fierro

It was only a matter of time. Rocky Hill citizens since the 1820s had been petitioning the Connecticut General Assembly to become a separate town. Now in 1843 the residents of Wethersfield’s “Lower Community,” known since 1722 as Stepney Parish, took up the issue anew but with more vigor and in more numbers. Town leader Elias W. Robbins led this local independence movement, which succeeded by June of 1843. Rocky Hill would be the new town’s official name and henceforth would become known as the “political daughter of Wethersfield” to its north. Rocky Hill was not unique in its quest for and success in separation. Two other towns–Glastonbury and Newington–also emerged from Wethersfield.

And today, out of the 169 incorporated towns in Connecticut, more than half were created when they split from their “mothers.” Indeed, between 1820 and 1850, the state’s General Assembly incorporated 13 new towns, including Rocky Hill, one steeped in tradition and history, and created as much by nature’s fury as by the power of Connecticut’s legislative body…(left Philip Goffe House)

Men like Goffe found the land appealing because it stood high above the river whose flood plains narrowed down, just south of the long hill for which the town would be named ultimately. And because it seemed logical to these early settlers to cross the river along this tapered stretch, they helped establish a transport service in 1655. Later known as the Rocky Hill-Glastonbury ferry service, it remains the oldest ferry service in the United States. The settlers also realized that the land could be used for building ships and farming. A classic riverport was about to be born.

(read the rest of this interesting history on the “Rafaele Fierro..” Page in sidebar at the right)

Saturday June 9,,,

Anyone who wants to cross the Connecticut River on the nation’s oldest continuously operating ferry service can do it this Saturday for free.

The Friends of the Connecticut River Ferries along with the Department of Transportation will be hosting an open house day celebration on Saturday, which is part of a statewide event.

The state is offering Connecticut residents discounted or free admission, free gifts, special exhibits and activities at more than 175 destinations across the state.

In Rocky Hill, the open house, which will run from 10:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., will feature the following:

• Exhibits
• Activities
• Food
• Music

Continue reading at Rocky Hill Patch

Rocky Hill-Glastonbury Ferry

Grand Opening: Dividend Pond Trails-Old Forge Road, Rocky Hill CT

Obituary Hartford Courant