The Hebron Historical Society

Trails and Tales -- Meet Your Neighbors along Marjorie Circle

Welcome

Take a look at the surroundings from the Airdorondack chairs seasonally placed next to the Old Town Records building.

This section of the Hebron Green has been changed several times over the past 300 years. Originally the Hebron Meetinghouse stood where the traffic light is located. Further south was the Hebron elm planted in 1763 to commemorate the end of the French and Indian War. To the west stood the Post House and store as well as Fuller’s tavern.

Think about it

Change and time are interrelated. Often as time goes on, a given scene whether natural or man-made will change. Try to keep the image you see today of Hebron Center in your mind. If you visit this spot 5 or 10 years from now, see if you can remember things that were different. To a large degree this is what history is about, noting changes over time. Another part of history is explaining why those changes took place.

Meet Your Neighbors QR Tours funded by the Hebron Greater Together Community Fund in conjunction with the Hebron Historical Society

Hebron Center in 1830 by Reuben Rowley from a c 1910 postcard

William Annable sketch of Hebron Center c 1840 courtesy of the Douglas Library

Tennant postcard of Hebron center c 1903

Tennant postcard about 1910

Thinking about it

- Compare the four views of Hebron over time with what you see today. What has changed and what has stayed the same? Based on the views, in what time period would you like to live? Why?

Tennant postcard

Fuller’s Tavern stood until 1888 where Route 66 crests the hill before the traffic light. It stood to the left of the Tennant postcard view reproduced above. Today, not only has Fuller’s Tavern disappeared, but several other structures have also vanished as well. The Crane House and Conference House no longer remain (located to the left of the postcard view). This early 20th century photograph shows Marjorie Circle when it was the primary route to Marlborough before Route 66 was built. The Conference House served as a lecture hall for people in Hebron. In an age of rudimentary newspapers and without internet media, the Conference House provided a lecture room where speakers could talk about important topics, such as the effects of the Fugitive slave Act on New England’s Black population, the role of states’ rights, or Darwinian thoughts on evolution. Eventually the Conference House was turned into a garage and then demolished.

Think about it

Do you or your family ever attend special programs together? If so, what type? Do you ever watch a documentary program with your family on TV?

What other buildings do you see in the postcard that are no longer standing today?

Where to go next

From here continue to walk down Marjorie Circle

Meet Your Neighbors QR Tours funded by the Hebron Greater Together Community Fund in conjunction with the Hebron Historical Society

Courtesy Hebron Ct American Bicentennial Celebration publication 1976

This is one of the few “mansion Houses” remaining in Hebron Center. By the early 1800’s there were several similar houses along the north side of the Green. These houses featured their long side to the street with five windows over a central front door and might have one or two chimneys. This form of Georgian architecture was favored by local elites as a symbol of their status and economic position in town. In the 1700’s the term “mansion house” was a term used to describe a two story house. Since business transactions were based on credit, having a large house was a way of advertising one’s solid credit standing in a community.

Look at the gable of this house. There are two windows in the attic space and a smaller one above. This might be a characteristic of a builder in Hebron’s past named Joseph Trumbull Griswold who rebuilt the Jonathan Peters’ house at Burnt Hill Park in 1805 and built large houses in Hebron, Westchester, and Colchester.

Think about it

Can you think of any other old houses you have seen in Hebron like this? Most of the other large houses like this one would have belonged to prosperous farmers. However, a large house like this one in Hebron Center might have also been the home of a minister, lawyer, doctor or other professional who might run their farm with hired labor.

S. B. Pendleton c 1900

This is the oldest house still standing in Hebron Center. It is one of few houses in Hebron that would have stood before the American Revolution. Few battles of the American Revolution were fought in Connecticut. However, in 1780 Lebanon was the site where the French Cavalry units camped. In June of 1781, Lauzun’s French Hussar Troop marched by this house on their way to Yorktown, the last battle of the Revolutionary War.

From 1772-1775 this house served as a merchant’s store. By the early 1800’s, this house was home to two remarkable Hebron women who supported themselves independently. Jobs for women were scarce in the 19th century. In 1835, this was the home of Miss Bradford who ran an academy or finishing school “for select young ladies”. Later in 1854, it was the home of Sybil Gillett who made bonnets and sold them from this house. In the mid-20thcentury it was the home of Miss Marjorie Martin, Librarian at the Douglas Library and for whom the road was named.

Think about it

In the 1800’s there were few jobs for women. Most women were expected to marry. If not, they could sew or teach school. Do you know how to sew? Why would that be a valued skill in a time without sewing machines or ready-made clothing?

Name some jobs today that women might have. How are they different from sewing and teaching?

Where to go next

From here cross the street and walk toward the Gull Schoolhouse.

Meet Your Neighbors QR Tours funded by the Hebron Greater Together Community Fund in conjunction with the Hebron Historical Society