The Noah Webster House & West Hartford Historical Society will host a discussion with Dr. Tracey Wilson and Finn Ashworth.

Finn Ashworth. Courtesy photo

By Ronni Newton

In the age of GPS, many may find maps obsolete, but teenager Finn Ashworth is fascinated with maps and the patterns they convey.

Ashworth, a 2019 graduate of Conard High School, took on the role of an old-fashioned cartographer and hand-drew a complex, full-color 4-foot by 4-foot map of a section of West Hartford bounded by Fern Street, Sedgwick Road, Mountain Road, and Raymond Road.

The dates of construction for each home and building are noted on the map.

Ashworth, and former Conard history teacher, West Hartford Historian Dr. Tracey Wilson, will explore West Hartford’s evolution, development, population growth and geography at a discussion at the Noah Webster House & West Hartford Historical Society at 227 South Main St., on Thursday, Aug. 15 beginning at 6:30 p.m.

According to the announcement of the event, Wilson “will briefly review the development and population growth of West Hartford that transformed a small farming region into the largest suburb in New England. A discussion with Dr. Wilson and Finn will follow exploring the evolution of the town center. Come and learn about the oldest surviving house in the area, which homes were physically moved once (and sometimes twice), and what the map can show about waves of population growth.”

Additional maps drawn by Ashworth will also be on display, and there will be a question and answer period.

The discussion is free and open to the public, but there is a suggested donation of $5 to support this event and other museum programs..

For more information, visit www.noahwebsterhouse.org or call 860-521-5362.

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