Town Of Bridgewater

All About the
Town Of
Bridgewater
Connecticut
July, 2014
Bridgewater Overview
Only 90 minutes from Manhattan, in the southern most tier of Litchfield County, is the quaint town of Bridgewater.
•Settled in 1722
•Incorporated in 1856
•Land area 16 miles
•Population - 1,800
•Bridgewater’s low taxes
When the outside world thinks of Connecticut, it tends to
think of places like Bridgewater. Small and extraordinarily
picturesque, the town sits away from the main highways in
the southernmost reaches of Litchfield County. The town
center is comprised of eight historic buildings and the
outskirts possess pleasant views, farms, rolling hills and
unspoiled beauty.
Location
•10 miles northeast of Danbury
•80 miles from New York City
•20 minutes to I-84
•Close proximity to shopping,
restaurants & transportation options
The name Bridgewater came from
“a bridge between two waters” as
it is bordered by Lake Lillinonah
and the Shepaug River
For more information: www.bridgewatertownhall.org
View of Lake Lillinonah in Bridgewater
About Litchfield County
Bridgewater is the nearest neighbor to Fairfield County
The county of Litchfield (a 920-square-mile
corner of Connecticut) consists of 26 towns
including: Washington, Kent, New Preston,
Roxbury and Cornwall. It encompasses the
foothills of the Berkshire Mountains and the
historic Housatonic Valley. The landscape is
classic New England with rolling hills,
preserved woodlands, farm fields, and pristine
streams. The most recent U.S. census marks
the area as the least densely populated CT
county.
For more information:
www.litchfieldhills.com or www.visitwesternct.com
A Little History…
Bridgewater has a storied and interesting past!
In the town’s historical records and books you can read about the characters of our past –
including Charles B. Thompson who founded the 1st mail order business and whose name is
still prominent on the façade of the Village Store. There was Captain Burnham whose
philanthropy made our school and library possible and also Connecticut’s first counterfeiter
who hid his “money” in Bridgewater caves.
Bridgewater was settled in 1722. At that time, it
was a part of New Milford known as Shepaug
Neck, commonly called "The Neck." The
separation from New Milford began on
ecclesiastical lines in 1803, and the town was
incorporated in 1856. Many of the homes date
back to the 17th and 18th century, showcasing
the elegance and distinction of period
architecture.
A sketch of the old Blacksmith shop
A 1939 description from the book, Homes of Bridgewater Connecticut:
"The charm of Bridgewater lies on the far away outlook over wooded hills and cultivated valleys, the
wild and natural beauty of the winding roads... the rustic beauty of the narrow back roads steep and
winding hemmed by sassafras, witch hazel, sumac, elder, golden-rod, brambles, ferns, vines and
creepers, and vocal with the bird notes, the well-kept New England homes, the friendly spirit of the
community, and not by any means to be omitted the moderate assessment rolls and low tax rate."
Our
Town
Culture
A small town with a big heart…
People come to Bridgewater to experience the natural beauty,
the privacy and quiet way of life it offers. Others come to
experience the small town, neighborly feel and partake in
community
events and activities.
.
Why Dry?
Bridgewater's prohibition on the
sale of alcohol goes all the way
back to 1935, just two years after
prohibition was lifted. No one is
sure why the town decided to go
dry, but the story around town is
that Bridgewater went a little wild
after prohibition was lifted.
Impromptu taverns sprouted up in
resident's barns and basements,
and farm work took a backseat to
late night carousing.
•True to its Yankee roots, it is also well known for being the last
remaining dry town in Connecticut.
•Despite Bridgewater’s small size, hardly a weekend goes by
without some activity or event sponsored by a local organization
and open to all residents.
•Volunteerism is commonplace as town
residents staff the fire department, town
boards and commissions, groups and
organizations.
•Bridgewater people vote in record numbers
and are known for standing up for what they
believe. In 2012 and 2013 Bridgewater won the
CT “Democracy Cup” for highest voter turnout
in the state.
• There is a very responsive government here
and always strong support for fellow citizens
in need.
Natural
Beauty
Bridgewater’s Got It!
There are over 1,900 acres of
preserved land here!
• There has always been a strong local
instinct toward historic preservation, and
by extension, farm and forest protection.
• There are working farms, vineyards and
forests across Bridgewater’s sweeping
hillsides.
• The Bridgewater Land Trust supports
conservation activities aimed at
protecting our natural resources. In
addition, The Nature Conservancy and
Weantinoge Land Trust have significant
preserved parcels and trail systems
throughout Bridgewater.
• Ultimately, it’s all about preserving and
enjoying a way of life in a beautiful corner
of the world.
Hiking/Outdoor Recreation
Bridgewater is most known for its open space, natural beauty, clean air and
water. Residents often take advantage of this as walking, hiking, horseback
riding and running are common pastimes for local people and their guests.
Also available for Bridgewater residents:
- Horse riding stables and trails
- Lynn Deming Park in New Milford for
beach/swimming
- Swimming Lessons at Shepaug High School
- Passes available for hiking/picnic at nearby
Roxbury Falls
- Roxbury Road Race series for runners
Sunny Valley Preserve (Nature Conservancy)
has several hiking trails in Bridgewater. These
trails are accessible from public roads and most
have designated parking areas. Sunny Valley
trail maps are available at the Bridgewater Town
Hall or from the Sunny Valley office in
neighboring New Milford.
For more information go to www.tnc.org, www.weantinogue.org, www.bridgewaterlandtrust.org
Lake Lillinonah
From its headwaters in the Housatonic River in
New Milford, Lake Lillinonah extends 12 miles
to the Shepaug Dam, covering 1900 acres.
• Bridgewater has a Town Park located on the lake
which has a maintained area to picnic, fish and
launch small boats
• The renovations to Lake Lillinonah Boat Launch
were completed in 2014. This is ideal for larger fishing
and recreation boats.
Lake Lillinonah’s Namesake - Lillinonah was a young Indian maiden and daughter of Chief
Waramaug of the Pootatuck Tribe. She died in the rapids of the Housatonic below “Lover’s Leap” three
centuries ago. When the lake was formed in the 1950's, townspeople insisted the lake be given her name.
The compelling and sad legend of Lillinonah can be found at the Bridgewater Historical Society.
To learn more about the Lake and its preservation go to www.friendsofthelake.org
The Town Recreation Center
Bridgewater boasts a beautiful Recreation Center! It’s known across the area for its
beauty, well manicured fields and wonderful recreational opportunities
The Recreation Center includes:
• The Pavilion, complete with kitchen and bathroom facilities, is available for
Bridgewater residents to rent for private functions.
• Well-maintained ball fields for baseball, soccer and softball
• New state-of-the-art tennis courts
• Playground
• Basketball court
• Handball court
• Skating and fishing pond
• Walking Path
• Dog Park
Center Activities
• A town sponsored summer
camp and sports camps
• Annual Fishing Derby
• Town events at the Pavilion
including concerts, wine
tastings, and parties
• Games, practices. lessons
and activities
A view of the Recreation Center
For more information go to: www.bridgewatertownhall.org
The Village Store
The Village Store on Main Street has been the
veritable heartbeat of Bridgewater for
generations. It is housed in the Thompson
Building, a Victorian gem completed in 1899.
This village store
epitomizes smalltown living at its
finest.
“There is a great feeling in this town of caring
and love.” – Eleanor Gowan Village Store owner from 1954-1983
The store is now celebrated for its heavenly
homemade chocolates and is a terrific place to
enjoy breakfast or lunch or to sip coffee, read the
paper and get to know town happenings. It
offers an in house bakery, gourmet coffee and a
full-service deli for lunch. Local products
include Maywood maple syrup, honey and
organic produce .
The now famous and delicious Bridgewater Chocolate
For more information go to www.bridgewatervillagestore.com
Our Schools
The public education system is under the auspices of Region 12. This includes Burnham Elementary
School(K-5) in Bridgewater, and Shepaug Valley Middle High School in nearby Washington.
Burnham School
• Located in the town center, it is the heart of our
community!
• Consistently ranks high on Connecticut Mastery Tests.
• Received the highest designation in 2012 - A School of
Distinction Rating by State Department of Education
• A very active PTO that sponsors numerous enrichment
programs for students
• Before and After Care available on site.
• Low student to teacher ratio
Shepaug Valley Middle High School
A front view of the Burnham School
For more information go to www.region-12.org
• Regional 6-12 school combines students from
Bridgewater, Roxbury and Washington
• NEASC (New England Association of Schools and
Colleges) rating – Shepaug designated a model,
showcase school in 2011.
• 11 AP classes in house and unlimited on-line
• Athletic Program was honored as a "Michael's
Achievement Cup Exemplary Program" at the 2013
CIAC Sportsmanship Conference.
• After School Arts Program available to all students
The Burnham Library
Situated on historic Main Street, the library serves to foster the educational,
personal and cultural interests of the community.
The Burnham Library has been serving the town
since 1904. It is also a hub of the community and
hosts art shows and openings, fundraising events,
educational programs and group meetings. The
children’s program, run by the Children’s Librarian,
offers year round activities, including summer
programs and partnerships with the Burnham School.
An early sketch by Shirley Devoe
Library Services
For more information go to www.burnhamlibrary.org
• Inter-library Loan
• Book Sale Room
• Public Computers
• WiFi
• Public Internet Access
• Meeting Spaces
• Homebound Service
• Copy/Fax/Printers
Bridgewater Senior Center
A casual and inviting place, residents go to the center for mahjong, yoga, canasta, a
special luncheon, computer class or just to have cup of coffee and good conversation.
The Senior Center opened in 2008 and is an active center for our town’s older residents.
It is located across from the town’s Recreation Center and sits on a beautiful parcel of
land on top of a hillside with wonderful views.
The Centers offerings include:
• Themed luncheons
• Informational Speakers
• Variety of classes
• Exercise Programs
• Social activities such as card games,
bingo, birthday celebrations
• Blood Pressure screenings
• Town van for transportation
• Services to help with insurance and
medicare, medicaid etc.
• Computers and WiFi
• Medical equipment available
The event that puts Bridgewater on the map!
The Annual Bridgewater Country Fair
Sponsored by the Volunteer Fire Department
The Bridgewater Country Fair is a long standing
tradition, preserving the character of the country fairs
of yesterday, when farmers and other country folk
congregated to compete with their prized livestock,
produce, and arts and crafts. The fair takes place each
year on the third weekend in August. Besides the
displays, there is a fantastic midway featuring rides, as
well as food tents throughout the fairgrounds including
famous roast beef sandwiches, chicken breasts from the
grill, and delicious hot dogs (found at Howie's hot dog
hut). Visitors can kick off the weekend at the fair
parade. The parade features area volunteer fire
companies from Connecticut and New York, all
carrying their colors and displaying their newest trucks
as well as antique fire equipment. Marching bands,
color guard, and many other attractions ring in the fair
as they make their way down historic Main Street.
Active Volunteer Firemen receive a tax break each year.
Learn more about the Fire Department at www.bvfd.org.
For more information go to www.bridgewaterfair.com
Kids and Town Traditions…
They almost always go together
Bridgewater traditions are fun for kids and adults alike. Annually the Town holds a
Memorial Day Parade, Easter Egg Hunt, Holiday Tree Lighting, Tractor Parade on Labor
Day weekend, Fishing Derby and Trunk or Treat on Halloween! In addition, we celebrate
our school children and honor their awards and accomplishments.
Groups & Organizations
The town publishes the “Our Town” newsletter once per quarter and produces an
on-line calendar so that residents are fully informed of all events and activities
• Two active churches - St. Mark’s Episcopal
and Bridgewater Congregational Church
• Grange based in Bridgewater and serving
surrounding communities
• Roxbury/Bridgewater Garden Club
• Historical Society/Museum located in the
Elijah Peck House on Main Street
• Volunteer Fire Dept. & Women’s Auxiliary
• Community Caring in Bridgewater
Active Farms & Farm Stands
There are several farms in town that
produce vegetables, fruits, maple syrup,
eggs, all-natural beef and pork.
Look for this fresh food at our farm
stands and in our local stores!
A spring view of the Grange Hall
Find links to all of these organizations at
www.bridgewatertownhall.org