Enders Island facts for kids
Causeway to Enders Island, 2017
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 Enders Island
Location in Connecticut
Enders Island
Location in the United States
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| Geography | |
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| Location | Long Island Sound |
| Coordinates | 41°19′56″N 71°58′5″W / 41.33222°N 71.96806°W |
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United States
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| State | Connecticut |
| County | New London |
| City | Stonington, Connecticut |
Enders Island is a peaceful, 11-acre island located in Stonington, Connecticut. It sits off the coast of the Mystic area. The island is in Fisher's Island Sound, right where the Mystic River meets the sea.
You can reach Enders Island by a causeway that connects it to Mason's Island. Mason's Island is then connected to the mainland by another causeway. The island is home to a special retreat center and an art school. These are run by the Society of Saint Edmund, a Catholic group. Enders Island also hosts a writing program for students from Fairfield University.
The island is open to everyone! Visitors can explore a beautiful chapel, enjoy amazing views of the Atlantic Ocean, walk along pretty paths through flower gardens, and visit a gift store.
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Island History
Enders Island was bought by Dr. Thomas B. Enders in 1918. His father was the president of a large insurance company. Dr. Enders and his wife, Alys VanGilder Enders, designed and built a large private estate on the island. The main house was decorated in the Arts and Crafts style, which was popular at the time.
Even today, you can see the beautiful Italian tiles that the Enders family brought to decorate their house and gardens. There's also a strong wall made of large boulders around the island. This wall helps protect the island from strong winds.
Before she passed away in 1954, Alys Enders left the island to the Society of Saint Edmund. She wanted it to be a place for spiritual retreats and training for priests. Since 2003, the island has also offered its services to the public.
Programs and Activities
Enders Island offers different programs for visitors. These programs help people find peace and learn new skills.
Support and Retreats
Since the 1960s, the St. Edmund's Center has offered a special support program. This program helps people make positive changes in their lives. It focuses on prayer and quiet reflection. The center also hosts spiritual retreats for individuals, couples, and groups. These retreats are a chance to relax and think.
Sacred Art Institute
The Sacred Art Institute started on Enders Island in 1995. It offers fun classes and workshops to everyone. The focus is on religious art, teaching different styles and techniques. Some of the classes you can take include:
- Iconography (making religious images)
- Stained glass (creating colorful glass art)
- Mosaics (making pictures with small pieces)
- Calligraphy (beautiful handwriting)
- Wood-carving (shaping wood into art)
- Manuscript illumination (decorating old books)
The Institute also holds workshops where you can learn to sing Gregorian chants. Sometimes, these chants are even recorded live in the Chapel of Our Lady of the Assumption on the island.
Nearby Islands
Enders Island is part of a group of islands in the area. Some of the islands close by include:
