Peoples State Forest Nature Museum facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
|
|
Peoples Forest Museum
|
|
 |
|
 Location in Connecticut
Location in the United States
|
|
| Location | Greenwood Rd., Peoples State Forest, Barkhamsted, Connecticut |
|---|---|
| Area | 6.5 acres (2.6 ha) |
| Built | 1935 |
| Built by | Civilian Conservation Corps |
| Architectural style | Rustic |
| MPS | Connecticut State Park and Forest Depression-Era Federal Work Relief Programs Structures TR |
| NRHP reference No. | 86001737 |
| Added to NRHP | September 4, 1986 |
The Peoples State Forest Nature Museum is a special place in Barkhamsted, Connecticut. It's located inside the beautiful Peoples State Forest. This museum is all about nature and history.
You can learn about trees, plants, and animals that live in Connecticut. There are also exhibits on local history, cool rocks, minerals, and even insects! The museum building itself is quite old and has a rustic, natural look. It was built a long time ago by a group called the Civilian Conservation Corps.
Contents
Discover the Peoples Forest Museum
The Peoples State Forest Nature Museum is a great spot to visit. It's found in the southern part of Peoples State Forest. This forest is on the east side of the West Branch Farmington River. The museum is in a clear area right off Greenwood Road. This road helps cars get into the forest.
What You Can See Inside
When you step inside the museum, you'll find many interesting things. The displays teach you about different types of trees and how forests grow. You can also see examples of plants and animals that are native to Connecticut. This means they naturally live here.
The museum also shares local history. You can learn about the people and events that shaped the area. Plus, there are cool exhibits on rocks, minerals, and the fascinating world of insects. It's a fun way to explore nature and history all at once.
The Museum's Unique Style
The museum building is a single-story structure. It was built mostly from rough, natural stones. These stones give it a very rustic and sturdy look. The roof is covered with wooden shingles and has a special shape.
The main entrance faces southwest. Large windows are on either side of the door. Inside, the floor is made of a blue-gray stone. The walls are covered with chestnut wood panels. You can also see the wooden beams that support the roof. These beams are held together with iron straps. This design makes the museum feel like it's part of the forest.
Built by Young People: The CCC
The Peoples State Forest Nature Museum was built in 1934 and 1935. It was constructed by young men from the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC). The CCC was a program started during the Great Depression. This was a time when many people didn't have jobs. The CCC gave young men work building parks, roads, and buildings like this museum.
These young men lived in camps, like one across the river in American Legion State Forest. They worked hard to create many important structures. The museum was officially opened by Governor Wilbur Cross in 1935. It closed for a while in the 1950s. But it was reopened in 1992 after being unused for many years. Today, it continues to welcome visitors.
