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

By Ronni Newton

It’s Throwback Thursday (#tbt), and 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!

Courtesy Noah Webster House & West Hartford Historical Society

Everybody seemed to really enjoy last week’s image (at right and in larger size below).

The Cow Parade was so much fun – a combination of whimsy, incredibly creative art, and a fundraiser. It wasn’t a challenge to figure out what the photo was, but it gave people a great opportunity to reminisce.

Public Relations Specialist Renée McCue couldn’t help but comment: “It is probably not fair that I reply but, it is too much fun not to jump in. West Hartford’s first Cow Parade came to town in 2004 [Editor’s note: this was probably a typo because it was actually 2003] and then again in 2007. The cows on the trailer are (from left) Amazing Grace, Moove Over Jackson Pollock, Bedazzled Bovine, Cow Barn, Udderly Exotic and Rising Star. Cows still roam West Hartford and are seen at Duffy School, Wolcott School, Farmington Savings Bank, and Town Hall.”

Beverly Truebig had some fond memories: “This was the first Cow Parade in town (or getting ready for set-up)in 2003. I took photos of some of them in October. The next one was in 2007.”

“LOVED the Cow Parades! Renee so glad you chimed in. I have a china cow dressed as rooster to remember them by,” added Liz Gillette.

Some of those who commented on Facebook also had fond memories of the Cow Parade. “I actually helped direct the set-up of some of those cows, and got my very own ‘Moo Crew’ shirt!” wrote Jody-Marie Frankovits.

“I recall putting up split rail fence corral on Goodman Green with bark mulch covering the grass to create a ‘farm type’ look for the cow parade,” commented former Town of West Hartford employee John Maloney.

“They were beautiful. I enjoyed the exhibition in the center before they were placed around town. Still wish I was able to buy one. I do have a few miniatures which increased in value,” wrote Beverly Cashman-Fournier Miller.

Gail Harel said her children wanted to buy one for their lawn.

“Finally! It’s the first time I can say ‘I remember that!'” commented Jon Moss. “I remember when the Cow Parade first came to West Hartford. I thought it was so goofy, up until my girlfriend (now wife) took me and I actually started looking at the cows. It was so interesting to see how the artists worked the different themes into the cows! I remember going to Bookworm to pick up the official Cow Parade book. It was a fun day! We have several of them (miniature, of course) in our house now.”

“Am I the only one that noticed those cows all had horns AND udders?” asked Rocky Holland. Bonnie MacKenzie, who noticed because she painted the cow at the end, said that she learned that there actually is a breed of cow that has both horns and an udder.

Sam Newton at the West Hartford Cow Parade, 2003. Photo credit: Ronni Newton

And because I can’t resist chiming in either … I clearly remember the day the cows first came to town because it was my son’s first day of kindergarten. (He’s now a senior in high school.) My son, daughter (then a third-grader, and I rushed over to Town Hall right after school got out to see the parade, and I snapped this photo!

We’re going back a little further in time with this week’s image (at right and in larger size below).

It’s not hard to figure out what this is, but who knows when it was taken?

What’s the make and model of this vehicle?

Courtesy Noah Webster House & West Hartford Historical Society

What’s on the roof?

Does anyone recognize the police officer in the car?

Please share your memories below.

Thank you to the Noah Webster House & West Hartford Historical Society for providing us with the images. They are always looking for new images to add to the collection. Visit their website at www.noahwebsterhouse.org for more information about membership and programs.

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Courtesy Noah Webster House & West Hartford Historical Society

Cow Parade West Hartford, Fall 2003. Courtesy Noah Webster House & West Hartford Historical Society