Then And Now: Avery Point Boathouse, Ocean of Time Walk

Places shift and change. Storms of life will happen. A somewhat squatty castellated tower captivates the imagination on a weekend walk. What is it?

Like a barn, also similar to a lighthouse. Tell me your story.


Some stories are hidden in plain sight. On a walk, sighted a barn-like building with what looks like a small silo. Wait. Adjust the brain filters. This is near a dock, waterfront, a maritime environment. A bit battered, yes, but look at it. Did this serve as a lighthouse? How old is it?

Imagine the delight when finding (remember, in 1903/4 who had a camera and the means to take many, many photographs of a place, especially of construction and the grounds?)

When it was new, 1903. Note the weathervane or decorative finial on top. Where did it go? What does the interior look like. One image from a fascinating collection of UConn Library Archives.

Stepping away from the Connecticut River valley and those beloved basalt ancient hills — but not going far. (Far is a word that means something different depending on where you live or have lived. In Florida and Virginia, an hour's drive to get groceries and visit the library was something normal. In Connecticut an hour will take you to other states.)

And there will be water, the scent of ocean and Long Island Sound sounds. Bell buoy rocking with the wake of boats, seagulls, distant conversations, slapping of waves on breakwater. Wrack lines along the shore, seaweed and shells. People fishing. Sailboats on the horizon. Dog walkers, only two and one walker. All keep their distance, relief that they do.

During construction, 1903. Laborers complete roof on tower of boathouse. Man on scaffold works on shingles of main portion of boathouse. Others working at base of tower to complete exterior. UConn Library Archives.

Look again. Compare details that have eroded.

Ah, have missed this. Inhale. Exhale.

A quote for the ages, slightly paraphrased.

Then, now. Time flows and carries much away, burnishes all as it flows, takes and gives. Life is finite. Here is a building with character. Captivated, must know more.

Avery Point history. Shennecossett Road (now there's a word/place name worth learning about) and finding more.

Rain. Wind. A storm approaches. It's July 2021 and turbulent times are here, though the nation has already weathered much. With an eye on voting rights and changes for humans across the continent happening in a global pandemic, walks help. My faithful bicycle is gone now, an artifact of being in the USAF when those two wheels provided a faster commute in a flat-world Florida panhandle. Yes, a borrowed motor vehicle was loaned from friends now and then to get to isolated beaches after 12-hours on, 12-hours off duty that was life in a rescue and recovery squadron. Summer meant work in the confined space of a nose wheel well (reflected heat upward from the flightline, added bonus degrees) and other cramped spaced – working in long pants, T-shirt, socks, combat boots. The short-sleeved fatigue shirt has to be worn along with the hat everywhere else. Riding that silver 10-speed provided a breeze. But that was then, this is now.

Seeing that quote in stone on an Avery Point bench sparked thoughts of meeting Stephen Jones and touring Schooner Wharf and tugboat, Anne, for a story about the history of another building in Mystic — the former Lathrop Marine Engine complex on Holmes Street.

Related story via Town Dock (NC 2015) linked here.

Jones is a multi-dimensional human — emeritus “Professor of English and Maritime Studies. Avery Point. Chair, Maritime Studies Curriculum Research specialties: Fiction and nonfiction literature of the sea; American nature writing; Shakespeare; short story; modern British novel; journalism.” That's from his official page, which includes a link to his books. So add publisher, founder, author, historian, and lively storyteller of people, places, regions. Here's another story link that includes him as co-author of a book about the Connecticut River, ferries. Following him on a tour of the building that houses Mystic River Yarns, offices, a restaurant, bookbinder, meant seeing hidden features and back passages, vintage photographs.

What a word. “Noank; village in New London County, Connecticut. Derived from the Indian word, naytmg, ‘point of land.' — page 225, Bulletin No. 268 Series P, Geography, 45, Department of the Interior United States Geological Survey. Charles D. Walcott, Director. THE ORIGIN OF CERTAIN PLACE NAMES IN THE UNITED STATES (Second Edition) BY Henry GANNETT WASHINGTON Government Printing office 1905.

Should you want to stretch your mind, browse the listings and view word origins. Many are indigenous, named for land and water features, events.

A book by Stephen Jones, Drifting.

Avery Point is where a chance meeting at a small business seminar led to a life-long friendship, thanks to the advice of a SCORE counselor whose office in the vault of the Middlesex Chamber of Commerce is unforgettable. (The building was once a bank.) Though his name is forgotten, seeking his advice on a patent led to other venues. His own journey from operating a jackhammer and seeing men in business suits walk by fueled his path to get a job like those guys had – and work using his brain. He succeeded, then reached out to others by becoming a SCORE counselor. Thank you, sir. Your words have stayed with me and led to so much more, including two LLCs, business, thinking bigger. Then connecting people who can also benefit from information shared.

For water-related excursions, there are many choices, including Sea Mist Thimble Island Cruise, Thames River Thames River Heritage Park & Water Taxi, ferries that cross rivers or Long Island Sound, and/or the Onrust which leaves from the Connecticut River Museum in Essex. (Related story, here.) A ride on a ferry, water taxi or other vessel is a big deal to a small child and will be long remembered. Stop at farm stands or farm markets.

Hollyhocks. Where are all the pollinators?


And although the Yale Peabody Museum of Natural History in New Haven is closed for expansion and renovation, you can watch the transformation happen via social media.


Bank Square Livery in Mystic, seen in a photo at Schooner Wharf .

Noteworthy for anyone looking for field trips with children (also to combine with walks, state park visits, woodland rambles, exploring new places and re-visiting well-loved sites): now through Sept. 6, 2021 — Connecticut children ages 18 and younger with one accompanying Connecticut resident adult can visit participating museums free. The CT Summer at the Museum program includes museums and historical sites, zoos, aquariums, science centers. Respect COVID-19 protocols in place; call for details and updates.
“The children and the accompanying adult must be Connecticut residents. Proof of residency may be required (CT driver's license or ID Card). (Not for groups.) Tickets may be limited. Be sure to visit the museum’s website to secure tickets in advance as certain days may sell out. Connecticut Summer at the Museum is made possible through an investment from the federal COVID-19 recovery funding the state is receiving from the American Rescue Plan Act. Program administered by the Connecticut Department of Economic and Community Development’s Office of the Arts in partnership with Connecticut Humanities.”

Horse, tree fort. CB/MDP

Water dog.


Note: Still wearing masks in public group settings and when meeting people. Too much still unknown about virus variants. When a virus replicates, a tiny change can result in a variant — think of making copies on a machine. Most are perfect replicas, one is not. That imperfect copy could result in a more aggressive virus. So more copies, more rolling the dice. No thank you, will not consciously contribute to growth of a worldwide pandemic. Update: This story led to a book, an author, ocean science and history, more facets to be explored.

“You've done it before and you can do it now. See the positive possibilities. Redirect the substantial energy of your frustration and turn it into positive, effective, unstoppable determination.” — Ralph Marston

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