Middletown Open House to Celebrate 70 Years of Service to the Community

            The Rockfall Foundation of Middlesex County is holding an Open House Reception on June 7, 5:30 pm to 7:30 pm to celebrate the 70^th anniversary of the deKoven House Community Center. 

The celebration will include a children’s outdoors “green activity” hour, refreshments, a proclamation from the City of Middletown and an architectural tour by historical architect, Jeffrey  Dale Bianco, AIA,  of Northeast Collaborative Architects.

The deKoven House was built between 1791 and 1797 by Captain Benjamin Williams, a Middletown trader to the West Indies. The property was passed to Rockfall founder Clarence Wadsworth (1872 – 1941) by his mother. Colonel Wadsworth and his family occupied the house until 1917, when it became his business office. The deKoven House was accepted on the National Register of Historic Places in 1977 (listed as the Captain Benjamin Williams House.)

“Colonel Wadsworth bequeathed the house to Rockfall after his death in 1941,” according to Rockfall President, Jane Harris. “Rockfall oversees operation and management of the deKoven House as a Community Center, preserving it and ensuring that it is used for the benefit of the community, according to the wishes of Colonel Wadsworth .”

  

Since 1942, Rockfall has provided subsidized office space in the deKoven House to a variety of nonprofit service groups.

“Today the house serves as a mini “greenhouse” hub for environmental organizations and their staff and volunteers,” says Harris. “Its offices are occupied by groups whose missions are concerned with natural resource education, research and conservation in Middlesex County.”

In addition two meeting rooms are available to Middlesex County community groups for use during the day and evenings. Each year social service, municipal, educational, nonprofit and volunteer organizations hold up to 150 meetings at the Community Center, throughout the day and evening. Many groups rely on the house as their venue for regular weekly or monthly meetings.

               

            No reservations are required, but R.S.V.P.s (for those who know they will be dropping by) are appreciated. Please contact Tony Marino, tmarino@rockfallfoundation.org, or call the office (860) 347-0340. The deKoven House is located at 27 Washington Street in Middletown. There is limited parking in the Center’s small lot, as well as parking in the City lot next door. For more information and directions go to www.rockfallfoundation.org .

                The Rockfall Foundation supports environmental education, conservation programs and planning initiatives in Middlesex County. Established in 1935, it is one of Connecticut’s oldest environmental organizations whose mission is to be a catalyst-- bringing people together and supporting organizations to conserve and enhance the county’s natural environment. Rockfall awards grants each year to organizations, schools and municipalities, and continues to hold and manage open space property in the county.