The Thompson Historical Society

08/24/2026

REMINDER... hope to see you tomorrow, 8/25.

08/24/2026

Sharing this community good news as we love to hear about ongoing improvements at the Air Line Trail Park. A big thanks to the Thompson Trails committee for their ongoing efforts (we see you Paul and John K!) and for their commitment to these worthwhile projects at some of our favorite outdoor places. If you'd like to learn more about the Train Wreck Park - visit this page of our website... https://thompsonhistorical.org/train-wreck-park/

08/22/2026

Sharing this updated info due to weather on a community event.

⚠️We have changed the location due to the weather! ⚠️

📍🌟The old Town Hall 1 Chase Road, Thompson CT 🌟 up at the Thompson Common!!

(Tomorrow) Sunday August 23rd 2pm Atwater-Donnelly Concert

Thompson Congregational, United Church of Christ
WINY Radio

08/20/2026

Next Tuesday, August 25th at 6:00, the Thompson Public Library and The Thompson Historical Society welcome CT author and historian Marty Podskoch to speak about the Civilian Conservation Corps Camps in Connecticut. This program is generously sponsored by the Thompson Historical Society. Continue reading below for more information about the CCC Camps:
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The Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) began on March 31, 1933 under President Roosevelt’s “New Deal” to relieve the poverty and unemployment of the Depression. CCC camps were set up in a few Connecticut towns, state parks, & forests. Workers built trails, roads, campsites, & dams, stocked fish, built & maintained fire tower observer’s cabins & telephone lines, fought fires, & planted millions of trees. The CCC disbanded in 1942 due to the need for men in WWII.

In Connecticut there were 21 CCC camps. In the first year 13 camps were set up in these Connecticut towns & state parks & forests: West Cornwall, Housatonic Meadows; Niantic, Military Reservation; Hampton, Natchaug; Haddam, Cockaponset; Union, Nipmuck; New Fairfield, Squantz Pond; Cobalt, Meshomasic; Voluntown, Pachaug; Thomaston, Black Rock; East Hartland, Tunxis; West Goshen, Mohawk; Clinton, Cockaponset; and Burrville, Paugnut. The Army Government Dock in New London was the supply depot for all the CT camps. In the following years these eight camps were added: Winsted, American Legion State Forest; East Hampton, Salmon River; Danbury, Wooster Mountain; Stafford Springs, Shenipsit; Portland, Meshomasic; Windsor/Poquonock, Experiment Station Land; Kent, Macedonia Brook and Madison, Cockaponset.

Enrollees signed up for 6 months and worked a 40-hour week for $30/mo. The government sent $25 to the enrollee’s family and the enrollee received $5. The young men received good food, uniforms, and medical care. At first they lived in tents; later they lived in wooden buildings. These young men and special camps for war veterans were able to help their families and now had a sense of worth.

In Connecticut, enrollees built trails, roads, campsites & dams, stocked fish, built & maintained fire towers, observer’s cabins & telephone lines, fought fires, and planted millions of trees. The CCC disbanded in 1942 due to the need for men in WW II. Nationwide, enrollees planted nearly 3 billion trees to help reforest America, constructed more than 800 parks nationwide, updated forest fire fighting methods, and built a network of service buildings and public roadways. In nine years, 2.5 million young men participated in restoring public appreciation of the outdoors.

About the author:
Marty Podskoch is a retired teacher and the author of 11 books. He also writes a weekly column called “Adirondack Stories,” in five Adirondack newspapers. He has written three travel books: The Adirondack 102 Club, The Connecticut 169 Club and the Rhode Island 39 Club. Marty and his wife Lynn raised their three children in an old farmhouse on the West Branch of the Delaware River in Delhi, NY where he taught 7th grade Reading. He and his wife now live in Easton, Conn.

08/17/2026

Hope to see you at this program next week!

08/13/2026

Happening this evening, hope to see you there! [Thursday, 8/13]

08/09/2026

Be sure to save the date for this one!

08/09/2026

It's not too late to pay your dues! If you’d like to send a check made out to The Thompson Historical Society Inc., PO Box 47, Thompson CT 06277.

Visit our website for more details.

It's that time of year again! Your support is very much appreciated - and vital to the Society's success. Details can be found online here - thompsonhistorical.org/membership , including how to pay by credit card and the address to mail checks to. A reminder that we do not mail out notices on renewals.

07/24/2026

Our Christmas in July sale is happening tomorrow only... hope to see you there!! Saturday, July 25th from 8am-2pm. Who's going?!

07/21/2026

We've got a great shopping opportunity coming up soon! Your support of this pop up fundraising event is much appreciated.