Stormfield & Mark Twain Lane in 1915

I recently received some great photos from Susan Durkee. They are photos from a March 1915 trip to Stormfield.

The first photo was a mystery for sometime that Susan and I worked on together. Via the Stormfield Guestbook I believe I found out where it was and who lived there...Angelfish Majorie Breckinridge lived "over on the hilltop, the cabin in the Glen." according to Sam's note next to her name in July 1909.













Clemens 1910 Redding, CT Estate Tax Assessment:
Grand List: $36,480:
Dwellings and Buildings: (2) Value $26,500; Acres: 270, Value $6,750; Horses (3) $200; Cattle (1) $30; Coaches,Carriages, Wagons, Autos and Bikes $100; Musical Instruments $100; House Furnishings/Library $300; All stocks liable to taxation: $2,500.

Update...finally

A month of silence has not been due to lacking interest, I promise!! It has been due to a poorly planned kitchen renovation...I mean, who plans a kitchen renovation in the middle of an economic downturn? Answer- me.

The good news is I'm not broke...yet. Okay, okay enough about me, I know you all tune in for Stormfield news. The Stormfield project is having a very positive impact in 2008. Kevin MacDonnell came to town last month and really was a huge boost to the 100th anniversary celebrations. I met with Kevin,his wife and Heather Morgan the day of his slideshow and had an amazing day exploring the grounds of Stormfield. Stormfield has changed quite a bit but there is something about being on those grounds that really make you appreciate nature and its ability to re-establish itself so quickly. Reviewing Kevin's historic photos and visiting Stormfield in the present day is a real eye-opener. It looks nothing like the Stormfield Sam knew, not even close.



This view is walking East on Mark Twain Lane. The house ahead is Isabel Lyon's Lobster Pot... you can't even see the rebuilt house on the grounds of the Lobster Pot today. Too many trees!

As we head into the new year I'm gearing up toward a grant writing frenzy...grants are going to be scarce in 2009 but I am confident this is a worthy
effort. If you'd like to help, all I need is comments that state this is a project the World needs...send them to bcolley@snet.net