MAP STORIES: Select Maps from the Cornwall Historical Society Collection

Waywiser

19th century surveyor’s wheel (also known as a waywiser) used by Cornwall resident George C. Harrison in his work as a surveyor and mapmaker; Collection of the Cornwall Historical Society.

Maps are visual history … they help to tell the story of people and places.

The Cornwall Historical Society’s summer exhibition “MAP STORIES” opens on Saturday, July 3rd. The exhibition draws from the CHS’s permanent collection and features a selection of maps both current and historical. The centerpiece of the exhibition is an eight-foot map of Cornwall compiled by George C. Harrison (1840-1907). Harrison was for many years Cornwall’s town clerk and also a judge of probate and a surveyor. He completed the map in 1896 after some 40 years of labor. His map is a reconstruction of Cornwall land grants made from written records. In addition to maps of Cornwall, the exhibition showcases other maps of interest, including a rare map from 1858 owned by Major General John Sedgwick.  Sedgwick was one of Abraham Lincoln’s generals during the Civil War. Hours for the exhibition are Saturdays only from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

West Cornwall Jigsaw Puzzle

Map your way around West Cornwall in our new 500-piece jigsaw puzzle!

 If you like difficult puzzles, this is for you! The completed puzzle is a reproduction of an original lithograph by Cornwall artist Ruth C. Gannett (1896-1979). In this beautiful, detailed illustration, Gannett captures West Cornwall’s quaint charm and spirit. As you piece the puzzle together, you’ll see travelers at the train station, a fisherman wading in the Housatonic River, locals walking around the neighborhood, and goats grazing near the covered bridge. These are some of the many “hidden” vignettes you can look for while assembling the 16 x 20-inch puzzle. Made in USA.

Price: $25.00

MAP STORIES: Select Maps from the Cornwall Historical Society Collection

Waywiser

19th century surveyor’s wheel (also known as a waywiser) used by Cornwall resident George C. Harrison in his work as a surveyor and mapmaker; Collection of the Cornwall Historical Society.

Maps are visual history … they help to tell the story of people and places.

The Cornwall Historical Society’s summer exhibition “MAP STORIES” opens on Saturday, July 3rd. The exhibition draws from the CHS’s permanent collection and features a selection of maps both current and historical. The centerpiece of the exhibition is an eight-foot map of Cornwall compiled by George C. Harrison (1840-1907). Harrison was for many years Cornwall’s town clerk and also a judge of probate and a surveyor. He completed the map in 1896 after some 40 years of effort. His map is a reconstruction of Cornwall land grants made from written records. In addition to maps of Cornwall, the exhibition showcases other maps of interest, including a rare map from 1858 owned by Major General John Sedgwick.  Sedgwick was one of Abraham Lincoln’s generals during the Civil War. Hours for the exhibition are Saturdays only from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Do-It-Yourself Activity

Explore Cornwall as a family!

For a fun DIY family activity come to the Cornwall Historical Society and pick up a copy of our Local History Activity leaflets. Created in conjunction with the current map exhibition, each leaflet includes activities that will help you explore Cornwall’s history using maps. Reading a Map encourages young people to discover what kinds of information are provided by maps, and Street Signs and Place Names emphasizes the clues about a community’s local history that often can be found in the names of street, roads and other places in the community.

Answers to Crossword Geography — ACROSS: 1. Housatonic, 3. Bantam, 5. Goshen, 7. Mohawk, 9. Rattlesnake Road, 11. Twixt, 12. Cathedral Pines. DOWN: 2. Hartford, 4. Litchfield, 6. Iron, 8. Stone Walls, 10. Cream Hill Lake.

West Cornwall Jigsaw Puzzle

Map your way around West Cornwall in our new 500-piece jigsaw puzzle!

 If you like difficult puzzles, this is for you! The completed puzzle is a reproduction of an original lithograph by Cornwall artist Ruth C. Gannett (1896-1979). In this beautiful, detailed illustration, Gannett captures West Cornwall’s quaint charm and spirit. As you piece the puzzle together, you’ll see travelers at the train station, a fisherman wading in the Housatonic River, locals walking around the neighborhood, and goats grazing near the covered bridge. These are some of the many “hidden” vignettes you can look for while assembling the 16 x 20-inch puzzle. Made in USA.

Price: $25.00