Peoples State Forest Nature Museum facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Peoples Forest Museum
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 Location in Connecticut
Location in the United States
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| Location | Greenwood Rd., Peoples State Forest, Barkhamsted, Connecticut |
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| 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 cool museum run by the state. You can find it on Greenwood Road inside the Peoples State Forest in Barkhamsted, Connecticut. This museum is a great place to learn about nature and local history.
Inside, you can explore awesome exhibits about forestry, which is the science of managing forests. You'll also see displays about plants and animals that live in Connecticut. There are sections on local history, interesting rocks and minerals, and even insects! The museum is open during certain times of the year, usually from Friday to Monday.
The building itself is pretty special. It has a rustic, natural style and was built in 1935. A group called the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) constructed it. In 1986, the museum building was added to the National Register of Historic Places. This means it's an important historical site worth protecting.
The Museum Building's Story
The Peoples State Forest Nature Museum is located in the southern part of Peoples State Forest. This forest is on the east side of the West Branch Farmington River. The museum sits in a clear, open area next to Greenwood Road. This road helps cars get deeper into the forest.
How the Museum Was Built
The museum is a single-story building. It was mostly built using "rubblestone," which means rough, uneven stones. The roof has a unique shape called a "bellcast gable" and is covered with wooden shingles. The main front of the building faces southwest. It has large windows on both sides of the main entrance.
A small stone section sticks out to the right side of the building. It partly surrounds a stone chimney. Inside the museum, you'll see a floor made of "bluestone," which is a type of stone with a bluish tint. The walls are covered with beautiful chestnut wood panels. The roof is supported by strong timber beams, held together with decorative iron straps.
A Project by the CCC
The Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) built this museum between 1934 and 1935. The CCC was a special program during the Great Depression. It gave jobs to young men, helping them build parks, roads, and other important structures. The CCC crew that built the museum was based across the river in American Legion State Forest.
The museum was officially opened by Governor Wilbur Cross in 1935. It closed down in the early 1950s and stayed empty for many years. But don't worry, it was reopened in 1992, so people could enjoy it again!
Images for kids
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The Peoples State Forest Nature Museum building.
