All Aboard for a Trip into the Past

Every building has a story to tell. Those stories may be connected to a building’s design or location, or the building’s architect. It may emanate from the first brick laid or could have evolved from the people and families who lived within the walls.

As it stands, North Haven has an impressive number of period buildings, which house an equally impressive number of stories and tales.

An opportunity to learn about the town and uncover its rich and interesting history and architecture comes up on October 16 when the North Haven Historical Society hosts its Annual Town Trolley Tour.

What began as an idea for a one-time event has become so successful that it’s now in its third year. The tour’s popularity did not go unheeded by the new Superintendent of public schools, Dr. Robert Cronin. The superintendent and new teachers in the district signed up and were treated to a preview of the Historical Society’s tour a few weeks ago.

The Superintendent said, “It was a perfect way for all of us to become familiar with the district. I'm hoping to make this a part of our new teacher orientation every year."

A contributing factor in the popularity of the tour might well be the guide. North Haven’s Pat Buonpane, an active member of the Historical Society, serves as storyteller and guide of the annual outing.

“She’s a natural,” is how Sue Iverson of the Historical Society describes Buonpane. "She’s gets so jazzed about it. She’s a real people person.” Iverson notes that Buonpane is a life-long resident, and likes to share her own personal experiences from growing up in the town. Buonpane uses some of those stories during her trolley tour presentation, which brings to life the families who lived in town, as well as the connections between the places, events and people.

Buonpane herself loves the reactions of the trolley passengers when the tour is underway, mentioning the surprised faces and appreciative looks of the passengers as she talks about a particular builder or style of architecture, or recalls a prominent family or house from the past. Trolley passengers can expect to make a number of discoveries along the way, in the form of little known historical facts about the town, including famous people who have connections to North Haven.

Altogether the tour runs 90-minutes, and showcases a remarkable collection of architectural styles such as Victorian, Italianate, Georgian, Colonial, Greek Revival, and Federal. Passengers take a comfortable 1920s replica street trolley which winds its way through most sections of town: the Pines Bridge Historic District, which is on the National Register of Historic Places; Upper State Street, and the Clintonville section, which was the chic place to live in its time. Plus, travelers are treated to a stop and short tour of the Rising Sun Tavern. Back in the day, it served as place for meals and horse changes.  

When you go on the trolley tour, said Iverson, “It’s like being a tourist in your own town.” 

You go past these places every day and you don’t have an idea about their history. After you take the tour, it’s agreed, you’ll probably never look at the buildings or think of the town in the same way.

The North Haven Historical Society Town Trolley Tour will depart from the Cultural Arts Center at 12 noon, 2 pm and 4pm on October 16th.   Each tour runs approximately 90-minutes. Tickets for the tour are $15.00.

To purchase tickets or for more information: 203-239-3523 or 203-239-7722.

Deadline for ordering tickets is October 10.  Space is limited.