Visit Chester CT

Chester is first on the list!

Go Off the Beaten Path in These Connecticut Villages Some of Connecticut’s smaller, less well-known towns have been described as “sleepy” or “undiscovered gems.” But the people who live there, and the people who visit, know differently. These towns might be overshadowed by a larger town or city, or maybe they are not easily reached by the in...

Sunday, Oct. 26, 5 p.m., Chester Meeting House, “Saybrook’s Witchcraft Trial of 1661”

The year was 1661, and Saybrook (of which Chester was a part) faced the greatest crisis in the fledgling community. For three years, the settlement had been rocked by a series of events that threatened their very existence. As these events unfolded, accusations of witchcraft were being hurled around. Historian Don Perreault talks about the ensuing witchcraft trial, a town in crisis, a population looking for answers and victims who were the perfect target. Free, but donations welcome.

𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐓𝐨𝐰𝐧 𝐨𝐟 𝐂𝐡𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐡𝐚𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐧𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐜𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐨𝐟𝐟𝐢𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐥 𝐨𝐩𝐞𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐨𝐟 𝐚 𝐧𝐞𝐰 𝐛𝐢𝐤𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐩𝐞𝐝𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐢𝐚𝐧 𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐜𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐥𝐨𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐚𝐭 𝟐𝟎 𝐖𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐒𝐭𝐫𝐞𝐞𝐭. 𝐀 𝐛𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐟 𝐫𝐢𝐛𝐛𝐨𝐧-𝐜𝐮𝐭𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐜𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐦𝐨𝐧𝐲 𝐰𝐢𝐥𝐥 𝐛𝐞 𝐡𝐞𝐥𝐝 𝐨𝐧 𝐎𝐜𝐭𝐨𝐛𝐞𝐫 𝟔, 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟓, 𝐚𝐭 𝟒:𝟑𝟎 𝐩.𝐦. 𝐭𝐨 𝐜𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐛𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐧𝐞𝐰 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐚𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐲.

The concept for the rest center was developed by the Town of Chester’s Economic Development Commission (EDC) as part of its long-range plans for the Lower Connecticut River Valley Heritage Recreational Trail, a nearly 18-mile pedestrian and bike loop that connects East Haddam, Haddam, and Chester, along with their numerous destinations and attractions.

The amenities include:
- Benches for resting
- A bike rack to keep bikes safe, secure and upright
- A public bike repair station with essential tools and an air pump
- Electronics charging station
- Outdoor restrooms
- Information board detailing local events and points of interest

A former bank, the building’s interior provides community space available to Chester town and community organizations.

"This is a great use of an existing, underutilized town building,” said Chester First Selectman, Cindy Lignar, "This project is a reflection of Chester’s commitment to creating a more walkable, bikeable community for recreation, shopping, dining, or commuting. The new rest center will be a valuable asset for both residents and visitors, providing a safe and convenient place to take a break, use the restroom, perform quick maintenance on their bikes, or learn more about the many events and attractions in town.”

The ribbon-cutting ceremony will recognize the collaborative efforts of the Chester EDC, Tourism, Public Works, Parks & Recreation, and the Chester Library in making this proposal a reality. One hundred percent (100%) of the funding for this initiative was made possible by generous donations from the Community Foundation of Middlesex County, including the Chester Leadership Fund and the River View Cemetery Fund, as well as the Friends of the Chester Library.

Chester CT Historical Society is open for the season! Come see what’s new! Saturday 1-4, Sunday, 10-4

Opening tomorrow night!