The Noah Webster House has launched a summer scavenger hunt with puzzles to entertain people of all ages.

By Ronni Newton

Noah’s Navigator challenge – a family-friendly activity just launched by the Noah Webster House & West Hartford Historical Society – will offer both adults and children a chance to solve puzzles in order to take part in a scavenger hunt throughout town this summer.

“Noah’s Navigator” booklets are available now at the museum shop at the Noah Webster House & West Hartford Historical Society.

Puzzles include word searches, cyphers, riddles, fill in the blanks, mazes, even some math problems. Once those are solved, a location somewhere in West Hartford will be revealed, and once you go to that location, you’ll find a sign confirming you’re at the right spot.

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The following is from an announcement of the event: “There are 10 locations to find. Start or end at the Noah Webster House (hint, hint) and the remaining locations are all within walking distance of downtown parking areas. While you solve and explore, you will also learn more about colonial pastimes, schools, trades, and what it was like for Noah Webster to be a kid in West Hartford in the late 1700s. Times sure have changed since Noah was alive. You will learn even more about select locations, and changes they have experienced over time, on the museum website. Name changes, new additions, and more are covered. Spoiler alert! Complete the puzzles before going online or you will get puzzle answers and scavenger hunt locations before you are able to find them yourselves.”

While “cheating” is not recommended, each booklet does have an answer key to assist those who get stuck.

Noah’s Navigator puzzles are intended for kids ages 10 and up to be able to work independently, and younger kids should be able to participate with adult assistance as well.

“Shhhh! Don’t tell your kids that they are learning while they have fun. Noah’s Navigator is a great way to keep literacy and math skills sharp over the summer vacation and to prevent ‘summer slide,'” the announcement said.

Those who solve the puzzles and find all of  the “Noah’s Navigator” signs will also be able to claim a prize at the Noah Webster House.

The Noah’s Navigator booklets are available in the museum gift shop for $20, and are discounted 10% for museum members. The purchase of 10 or more booklets – the challenge can be a great scout troop, youth group, or extended family activity – will also be discounted 10%. The Noah Webster House asks that those who wish to obtain the booklets in bulk call ahead (860-521-5362) and give a week’s notice to ensure enough are available for all.

The museum gift shop is open Tuesday through Saturday, from 1-4 p.m., at the Noah Webster House & West Hartford Historical Society, 227 South Main St., West Hartford.

Program sponsors for Noah’s Navigator include Keating Agency Insurance, Petcare Veterinary Services, Macca Plumbing & Heating, Link Mechanical Services, First Church West Hartford, Cricket Press, Future Leaders of West Hartford (a division of the West Hartford Chamber of Commerce), and Eye Disease Consultants.

Anyone interested in more information about sponsoring future scavenger hunts and other museum programs should contact Amy Boulton, Development Manager, at 860-521-5362 x15.

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