West Hartford’s ‘Monday Memory’

Test your knowledge of West Hartford history with this ‘Monday Memory,’ courtesy of the Noah Webster House and West Hartford Historical Society.

By Ronni Newton

It’s time to take a look back into West Hartford’s past to either stir up some memories, reflect on how much things have changed, or both. And if you have no idea, we love the photo captions, too!

Last week was kind of a crazy news week, and with the Town Council meeting on Thursday rather than its usual Tuesday, well, we [meaning “I”] kind of lost track of what day it was and completely missed Throwback Thursday. So just like Thanksgiving week – although there was a really good reason that time – we bring you “Monday Memory”!

Courtesy of Noah Webster House & West Hartford Historical Society

The Throwback Thursday image from Dec. 3 (shown at right and in larger size below) of a stately stone church was a tough one. Frequent commenters Amy Frey and Liz Gillette thought perhaps it was the Episcopal church near Prospect (St. John’s). “They had a big fire a while ago, so some of the small differences may be that. I think you can see the huge beech tree on the edge of the right side of the picture. Corner of Farmington and South Highland…” wrote Liz.

However, Andy Taylor had it right. “Looks like the old First Church of Christ Congregational and was located cross corner to where it is located now on the corner of Farmington Ave. and Main St. It’s the Old Greystone Church that burned down Jan. 3, 1942,” he wrote.

Thanks to Liz for her comment in response, which included a link to some additional information about the Greystone Church: “Andy, you’re right! Here is a link to some pictures http://cslib.contentdm.oclc.org/cdm/singleitem/collection/p128501coll0/id/2225/rec/12. What a shame that beautiful building isn’t still there.”

From Facebook

On Facebook there were also some who thought the photo was of the former St. John’s Episcopal Church building and one who thought the site was where the Unitarian-Universalist church is located today, but Lisa Petersen, Donna Morrison, Nancy Ball, and John Hogan correctly identified it as the former First Church. Giovanni Seccareccia not only correctly identified the church, but also provided an additional photo of the building taken from a slightly different angle and with a bit more detail.

The Greystone Church, built in 1882, was actually the fourth building for First Church. The current building, on the southeast corner of Farmington Avenue and South Main Street, was dedicated in 1947.

Courtesy Noah Webster House & West Hartford Historical Society

This week’s photo (at right and in larger size below) may be a tough one, but we will give a little hint: A good number of you have probably been, or will be, in this area during the month of December.

Who knows where this is?

When was this photo taken?

What was this property at the time the photo was taken?

If it’s something different now, what is it?

Please share your memories below.

Thank you to the Noah Webster House & West Hartford Historical Society for providing us with the images. For more information about the organization, visit www.noahwebsterhouse.org.

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Courtesy Noah Webster House & West Hartford Historical Society

First Church’s “Greystone” building was destroyed by fire in January 1942. Courtesy of Noah Webster House & West Hartford Historical Society