On May 6th this year Gertrude Chandler Warner will be recognized on a WALL OF FAME at the Putnam High School. I need not elaborate on her as she has been recognized the world over for the Box Car Children series. I have blogged her previously and spearheaded the drive to acquire, move, and refurbish an original rail road box car which is now a popular museum in Putnam.

A few days ago I gave thought to others who have attained the same notoriety and thought a blog would be appropriate.

When I visited England my wife said we had to visit High Top the home of Beatrix Potter in the village of Near Sawrey in the English Lake District. A well recognized author she is noted for series of little books and most noted for her stories of Peter Rabbit and Mr. McGregor’s garden. And, yes her home had a garden belonging to Mr. McGregor.

Then I remember my wife telling me about her visit to the home and gardens of a Vermont woman who was also extremely well known in the children book genre, She was born in Boston as Starling Burgess, the daughter of W. Starling Burgess, a Naval architect. She was named after her father who was an admirer of the WAR AND PEACE character Natahsa. She was soon re-christened Natasha and the name was shortened to Tasha. Her mother was a well-known portrait painter under the name of Rosamund Tudor which led others to think Tasha’s last name was Tudor.

Tasha Tudor illustrated nearly100 books the last being Corgiville Christmas released in 2003. I have several of her books and actually have a signed copy of the Corgiville Fair. She received many awards among them the Regina Medal, and Caldecott Honors. Her books are highly valued possessions filled with intricate drawings and details such as flowers, birds or other charming objects and animals. She also created many original works of art which appeared on greeting cards and calendars.

Her connection to our area was through Logee’s Greenhouse as she was a friend of Joy Martin and paid a visit there many years ago. Tasha is known for her 19th century lifestyle. She was featured on PBS but never owned a television. She raised her four children on a 450-acre farm in New Hampshire without electricity, running water or central heat. It was after her children were grown that she moved to Vermont where she spent her final years.

Her home in Vermont is open to visitors and I was told that much of her possessions are still on view. I’m sure it includes her tea sets as she was a lover of good tea. This was also Ms. Warner’s favorite drink and both loved flowers. Tasha’s other pride were her gardens of which she was extremely proud and tended to daily. Worth a visit? Yes indeed.

It’s Friday April 14th and thoughts of a blog underway. Hey guess what? One hundred and fifty-six years ago this day in three and one half hours back then Capt. Robert Anderson, Commanding officer of Fort Sumter will commence abandoning the fort to CSA Brig. General P. G. T. Beauregard following a 3,000 round bombardment.

The attack is what actually started the Civil War. New England was quick to respond to President Lincoln’s call for recruits with Connecticut the leader in the number of volunteers per eligible young men. Many New England men served with State regiments and one is the popular Ct 9th Regiment.

The assault on Ft. Sumter began at 4:30 am. on the 12th of April The first return fire was under Capt. Abner Doubleday. After hours of pounding the fort with shells not one Union soldier was killed. The only tragedy was a gunnery Sargent who died when the cannon he was firing exploded. Two well-known secessionists were offered to make the first shot. One declined the other accepted. This has led to the story following the war the man who fired the shot was so depressed over the carnage, blaming himself for starting the war, he took his own life.

My family visited Ft. Sumter years ago and a portion of the original section showed the shelling scars of the assault. As we were heading to see about gifts, etc, a teenager walking with his parents was asked if he liked seeing the fort. He said it was awesome turning to his mother he asked if she was happy they hadn’t shelled the gift shop!

New England has a deep place in the manufacturing of weapons and gunpowder. If you look at a map of the northern border of Connecticut you will see what looks like a tab that inserts the state with Massachusetts. It was there in 1835, that the first black powder company was established. The town is now called Hazardville and not all due to its product. It was really named after Augustus Hazard who with partner Allen Loomis owned the Loomis – Hazard Company.

Today the Company operates a military museum housing a grand collection of military uniforms and military pieces including four bronze cannons cast by Paul Revere in 1798. Artifacts are also on display. There is a letter by George Washington dated 1794 to his men of Artillery Company and an original portrait of Washington by Rhode Island artist Gilbert Stuart whose parents ran a snuff mill in what is now called Saunderstown a section of North Kingstown in the Southern part of the state.

Connecticut had its share of weapons manufacturers too including Samuel Colt and The Marlin Firearms Company in New Haven and OF Mossberg of North Haven. The greatest innovation was to make repeating rifles such as the Spencer that President Lincoln test fired. Just before the battle of Gettysburg Lincoln insisted on arming Union Troops with this weapon. It was a 7-shot repeating rifle that the Southern Soldiers said Yanks could load on Sunday and shoot all week without reloading.

Newport, RI is also known for the Artillery Company of Newport, chartered in 1741 by King George II of Great Britain. Proud of its history of over 271 years, the company has served in many wars including the French Indian Wars, the War of the Revolution, War of 1812 and the first battle of Bull Run in the Civil War and also the Spanish-American War.

Might I suggest a visit to the Gilbert Stuart Museum on your way to the Newport Artillery Company. It is located a short distance before the entrance to the Jamestown Bridge. And while I’m at it, a lunch or dinner following or in between at the Coddington Brew Pub is recommended.

In Bristol, RI is a State park called Colt State Park and is named for Samuel Pomeroy Colt born January 10, 1857 in Paterson, NJ, the youngest of six children. His father Christopher is the brother of Samuel Colt the arms manufacturer of Connecticut fame.

Growing up his family and friends called him “Pom” At the early age of 23 he he was appointed aide-DE-camp to RI Governor Henry Lippitt later receiving the commission of Colonel in the RI Militia.

In 1876 he graduated from Columbia Law School and five years later he was elected to represent Bristol (RI) in the Rhode Island House of Representatives. He became involved in efforts to regulate Child Labor laws and woman’s property rights. In 1879 Colt was elected Attorney General of Rhode Island and re-elected to three one-year terms.

In 1886 Colt founded the Industrial Trust Company later to become Industrial National Bank and then Fleet Bank which merged with Bank of America.

A prosperous man, Samuel married Elizabeth Bullock in 1881 and they had three sons: Samuel Pomeroy Jr., Russell Griswald and Russell Christopher. His son Russell Griswald married actress Ethel Barrymore.

Colt ran unsuccessfully for Governor of Rhode Island. He died in August 13, 1921 and his estate, Linden Place, was purchased by the State of Rhode Island and is now Colt State Park. The home is a museum while the sweeping lawns offer fantastic ocean views. Warm weather is coming so pack a picnic lunch and plan a visit!