Tolland Green Historic District facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Tolland Green Historic District
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 Location in Connecticut
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| Location | Roughly along Old Post, Tolland Stage, and Cider Mill Rds., Tolland, Connecticut |
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| Architectural style | Late Victorian, Federal, Colonial |
| NRHP reference No. | 97000832 |
| Added to NRHP | August 1, 1997 |
The Tolland Green Historic District is a special area in Tolland, Connecticut. It's called a historic district because it has many old and important buildings. This district includes the beautiful town park, known as the Tolland Green. It's a place where history comes alive!
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What is the Tolland Green?
The Tolland Green is a long, narrow park that stretches from north to south. Imagine a big, grassy rectangle! The historic district includes this park and all the interesting buildings around it. There are 55 important buildings here, plus one other special spot.
Where is the Green Located?
The district mainly follows Merrow Road, which is also called Route 195. It starts south of Cider Mill Road and goes past the Green. In the north, it gets wider to include Tolland Stage Road (Route 74) and the street called Tolland Green. Route 195 forms the west side of the Green, and the street named Tolland Green is on the east side. Route 74 even cuts right through the middle of the Green!
Important Buildings Around the Green
Many important buildings stand around the Tolland Green. They tell stories of the town's past. Most of these buildings were built in the 1700s and 1800s.
Town Halls and Public Buildings
At the south end of the Green, you'll find two town halls. The Old Town Hall was built in 1879. The current Town Hall was built a bit later, in 1909. Near where Route 74 crosses the Green, there are even more historic spots:
- The old Congregational Church is a beautiful historic building.
- The Old Tolland County Courthouse was built in 1822. It was home to the Tolland Public Library for many years, from 1899 to 1985.
- The Board of Education building used to be a home, built in 1830, before it became offices for schools.
- The Ratcliffe Hicks Memorial School was built in 1908. Today, it's known as the Hicks Memorial Municipal Center and Library.
- The Old Tolland County Jail and Museum is another fascinating place to visit.
Historic Homes
Most of the buildings in the historic district are homes. One very famous home is the Hicks-Stearns Family Museum. This house used to belong to Ratcliffe Hicks, a well-known person in Tolland's history.
Why is This District Special?
The Tolland Green Historic District is important for several reasons:
- Beautiful Landscape: The Green itself is a lovely park, making the area very scenic.
- Rich History: It's full of buildings that show how the town of Tolland grew and changed over time.
- Amazing Architecture: You can see different styles of buildings here. Many homes show off Federal and Victorian designs. These styles were popular in the 18th and 19th centuries.
This district helps us remember and appreciate the history of Tolland, Connecticut.
