In conjunction with our Rediscover Greenwich / Re-Framing 95 art installation and its focus on the impact of the Connecticut Turnpike on the visual landscape of Greenwich, join us to celebrate and explore the history of another iconic roadway and the necessities that led to the building of I95 with local author Laurie Heiss, co-author of The Merritt Parkway: The Road that Shaped a Region.
Decorated with a breathtaking landscape and a treasured collection of diversely styled bridges, the Merritt Parkway runs thirty-seven and a half miles through Fairfield County, and continues as the Wilbur Cross Highway. From its complicated beginnings to the present, this talk will navigate the hard-fought yet picturesque path of this beloved road. You will meet the bridge artist, the landscapers, the politicians and the activists whose involvement in the Merritt transformed Fairfield County from farms and country estates to one of the wealthiest counties in the nation. With the dedication of preservationists and conservationists, led by Greenwich residents Peter Malkin and Dee Winokur, the Parkway remains both functional and beautiful, as one of the key roads alongside I-95, I-91 and I-84 that traverse the state. However, the Merritt holds a unique place in the heart of Connecticut’s drivers.
Books may be purchased at the Museum Store in advance or on the day of the program for signing by the author. Admission to the talk is FREE, but space is limited and registration is recommended.
