Hidden Gems Of Hartford And Tolland Counties: MLK Edition 2022

Manchester CT

14 January, 2022

6:51 PM

Description

MANCHESTER/SIMSBURY, CT — This week, we make two stops at Hidden Gems that pay tribute to Martin Luther King Jr. Here they are: Simsbury The MLK Memorial includes a series of glass panels that each discuss different aspects of Dr. King's life. The panels represent King's family history, his journey to Simsbury, his time in Simsbury and the impact it had on his life, his departure and return to the segregated South and MLK's legacy. The memorial is not just a monument but rather a place where people can sit, reflect, and learn about Dr. King. It serves to educate people about the struggle that MLK dedicated his life to then, and continues today, to obtain equal rights. King was a young student when he worked in Simsbury and was heavily impacted by the integrated community. The memorial is located in the center of town, on the grounds of Simsbury Free Library. See more about the MLK memorial here. Manchester In Feb 2021, the town partnered on the project with CT Murals to fashion an MLK mural. It now takes up an entire exterior wall of the Mahoney Recreation Center. CT Murals is a project started by the non-profit The RiseUP Group in 2015 to create public art that is "inclusive and accessible for all." The artist is Ben Keller, a young professional painter/mural artist who launched his own business in 2018. He started painting at the age of 12. Keller's vision for "Birthing of a Legacy" depicts MLK "as a man bringing light to darkness and represents a symbol for more equal and positive times ahead. While the work will always continue, this mural is a reminder that the light is shining on 2021." ____ The Hidden Gems series features out-of-the-way mom and pop restaurants, small specialty stores you may have never heard of, little-known historical markers or beautiful nature spots that may be a bit off the beaten path, all located within Hartford and Tolland counties. Do you have a favorite "hidden gem" in the area that you wish to see featured in this column? Email your ideas to [email protected]. Other columns in this series: 2022 The Connecticut Historical Society 2021 and earlier: The Bridge At Bolton NotchCivil War DrumCivil War Powder KegMile 4, Manchester Road RaceThe West Hartford ArmoryThe Capitol's Nooks and CranniesWickham Park Aviary55 West Main, New BritainBottle and Can Redemption CentersThe Dodd Center for Human Rights at UConnManchester Ropes Challenge Course4-H Education Center at AuerfarmFuego Picante Food TruckThe AmistadThe 9/11 memorialsClub Champion Golf FittersGolden Irene RestaurantAvery's SodaPetersen Flower FarmR Dee WineryGolden Gavel Auction HouseThe Cogswell Temperance FountainThe Old State HouseBouNom BakeryUnion Pond Park/Jay Howroyd Fitness TrailCedar Knob Restaurant & BanquetsUConn Dairy BarTopstone Golf CourseBackwoods Smokin' BBQThe Ranch HouseFoster Hill FarmEmma Hart Willard BirthplaceConnecticut Parachutists Skydiving ClubJust Be SalonTail Winds Ice Cream ShopThe MLK MuralThe Hilltop Restaurant and BarFrancesco's RistoranteThe Modern MilkmanCotton Hollow KitchenFearless Cards, Toys and CollectiblesFork & FireLena's Italian KitchenSouthwood Antiques & MarketplaceSwank PearceVernon Depot Historic ParkFarr's Sporting GoodsRobs Drivin DinerPowder Mill BarnAt the DamLena's RestaurantThe Genius of ConnecticutThe NotchLuAnn's BakeryEcker Hill Disc Golf CourseThe Kona Ice TruckOlympia DinerMountain DairyAnthony Jacks Wood-Fired GrillPabs African RestaurantHenry's PizzeriaSouth Windsor Wildlife SanctuaryThe Country ButcherAby's BakeryLiberty Street Market & DeliWilderness Lake Campground and ResortTime Machine toy and hobby storePaul Gregory's Bistro CafeThe ScoopCheney Brothers National Historic Landmark DistrictFaddy's Donuts and Ice CreamRiverfront Miniature Golf & Ice CreamThe Historic Babcock TavernHigh Grade FinishingCraig's KitchenSikorsky S-16 Bi-Plane FighterNavy ZNP-K Airship Control CarRosedale Farms & VineyardsNathan Hale HomesteadBurke Ridge FarmsNecker's ToylandCivil War Monument at Mt. Hope CemeteryGene Pitney Memorial BenchesJoe McCluskey/Manchester Road Race StatueSamuel Field Knight Historic MarkerCarol's LunchboxCountry CasualsDakota RestaurantCountry CobblerBeau's Burger ShackDaniel Glazier TavernMount Southington Ski SchoolAwards & MoreMarquis de Lafayette MonumentThe Little Red StoreRiver Bend BookshopGerry's DonutsTraveler RestaurantFirst Decorated Christmas TreeThe Stanley-Whitman HouseVernon's Santa HouseVintage Radio and Communications Museum of ConnecticutOld Country Banquet HallBrazilian Gula GrillThomas' Smokey Pit StopCongregational Church of Burlington labyrinthNoah Webster HouseThe Bushnell's Green Room WallBelding Wildlife Management AreaThe Aborn CastleHeublein TowerBirthplace of Jonathan EdwardsGrave of Revolutionary War Soldier Heman BakerJessica's Garden, Lobster and Ice Cream ShackShade Swamp SanctuaryKen's Corner Breakfast & LunchTolland Red and WhiteThe Packing HouseCold Harbor SeafoodNye Holman State Forest/Heron Cove ParkHosmer Mountain Soda ShackConnecticut Trolley MuseumMatterhorn Mini GolfWood Memorial Library & MuseumHastings FarmLiquid NirvanaIwo Jima Survivors Memorial ParkAcademy HallSouthington Drive-InLittle Theatre of Manchester at Cheney HallSomersvillage Gifts & Gourmet BasketsNew England Civil War MuseumThe Pinchot SycamoreStafford Palace TheaterMansfield Hollow State ParkOld Tolland County Jail and MuseumHill-Stead MuseumMark's Restaurant