Experience 300 Years of Norwich History
The primary goal of this website is to educate the public about Norwich, Connecticut’s rich heritage and history spanning the 300-year period from 1659 to 1959. The site offers quick and easy access to an extensive collection of media, focusing on Norwich’s historical events, places, and other interesting tidbits.
This site is entirely free of charge
IconicNorwich.org features over 3,000 concise articles and numerous historical maps of Norwich. The articles are organized into more than 30 categories. The Media Library connects you to thousands of historical web-based links from Norwich. Several quizzes, prepared presentations, and crossword puzzles are provided to enhance the learning environment.
You are invited to add or contribute to new or existing placemarks by filling out the form in the “Contribute Article” section.
Recent Updates to IconicNorwich.org
Added Book: Norwich History Never Gets Old: Click Here
Updated: 1803 Map of Norwich: Click Here
Added St. Patrick’s Cathedral Pamphlet: Click Here
Added: Photo of Yerrington’s Temple of Music: Click Here
Added: Photo of the Bacon Arms Company: Click Here
1823: Foul Weather Trouble
Norwich History … It Never Gets Old
Residents of Norwich have good reason to be concerned about the consequences of foul weather.
During the 1823 flood, several buildings on Norwich’s Wharf Bridge shifted their position or partly turned round. Most notably, Reverend Bentley’s Methodist Chapel, which stood on the Bridge, was entirely swept away.
Reverend David N. Bentley and his wife Letitia were regarded as the pillars of the Methodist Church in Norwich for more than 50 years. He organized a church at his home in 1811. In the early spring of 1816, Rev. Bentley requested assistance from others, but meeting no success, contracted, upon his own responsibility, for the erection of a church, 36×30 feet, to be located on the north side of Wharf Bridge. In order to complete the undertaking, after having expended his personal means, he mortgaged his house upon a loan of six hundred dollars.
Click HERE to learn more about the Methodist Church floating down the Thames River.
Reverend David N. Bentley
1785-1884
NOTE: “Norwich HIstory … It Never Gets Old,” article shown on this page is updated on Fridays
An historical fiction novel by Bob Dees about Norwich's 1850s Gold Mining Co.
Click On Image To Learn More