01.19.2018

History & Cultural Heritage of New England

[outfit_details] New England is deeply rooted in history and cultural heritage, which has made capturing it on the TCC all that more fun. I mean, from the pilgrims that came ashore in Massachusetts to the summer homes of America’s infamous […]

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History and High Culture of New England | The Coastal Confidence Aubrey Yandow

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New England is deeply rooted in history and cultural heritage, which has made capturing it on the TCC all that more fun. I mean, from the pilgrims that came ashore in Massachusetts to the summer homes of America’s infamous business moguls and heirs of the Gilded Age in Newport; New England is bursting at the seams with untold stories and colonial homes to be explored. The historical towns of New England, with each passing photoshoot, have proven to be deeply rooted in the start of our nation and the hopes of a new life.

To be honest, I always use to take these old colonial homes for granted but now I see them as a way to bring a little piece of historical insight, and perspective, into what living a rural New England lifestyle meant for colonial Americans. Between cooking on a hearth and tiny stairways, I can’t even imagine the number of daily struggles, these New Englanders had to endure. Anyway, I’m lucky enough to live close to several historic districts with homesteads to tour and fires to be stoked. 

History and High Culture of New England | The Coastal Confidence Aubrey Yandow
History and High Culture of New England | The Coastal Confidence Aubrey Yandow
History and High Culture of New England | The Coastal Confidence Aubrey Yandow
History and High Culture of New England | The Coastal Confidence Aubrey Yandow
History and High Culture of New England | The Coastal Confidence Aubrey Yandow

One of my favorite colonial homesteads to visit is that of an American hero, Nathan Hale’s. The Nathan Hale Homestead in Coventry, Connecticut was home to one of the most renowned patriots of his time. Nathan Hale was an American soldier and spy for the Continental Army during the Revolutionary War, both a Yale graduate and a colonial elite, his homestead allows you an insight like no other. Tragically he was hung before the British in 1776 at the age of 21, for his work as a Continental Army spy, and is famously known for saying “I only regret that I have but one life to lose for my country”. 

I’ve always admired how New Englanders go the extra length to preserve the history and cultural heritage of such homes. A ton of care goes into maintaining historic properties and still to this day The Nathan Hale Homestead is open to the public for tours and hearth cooking sessions, giving visitors a glimpse into New England’s history. So I often find myself in the car with my youngest sister and TCC photographer, Tessa, driving to the town greens of the oldest New England towns. 

From Old Wethersfield’s quaint town green, established in 1634, to Litchfield’s busy town green, established in 1720; there is no short of inspiration and architectural ingenuity on the town greens of small Connecticut towns. I often stroll down these greens to take images for our Instagram and get inspired by the untold stories and successes of our founding colonial families. 

History and High Culture of New England | The Coastal Confidence Aubrey Yandow
History and High Culture of New England | The Coastal Confidence Aubrey Yandow
History and High Culture of New England | The Coastal Confidence Aubrey Yandow
History and High Culture of New England | The Coastal Confidence Aubrey Yandow
History and High Culture of New England | The Coastal Confidence Aubrey Yandow

To this day, I’ll always be inspired by the history and cultural heritage of New England. It’s something that really adds perspective to my life and it’s the main reason why I love New England so much. I’ve been lucky enough to have visited most of Connecticut’s historical homesteads and town greens but I’d love to hear from you all. Are there any town greens we need to explore or colonial homes in your town that are just too good to pass-up? 

I love hearing what parts of New England inspire you, so leave a comment below with a place our Crew needs to head next. We love bringing you all along for the journey and we can’t wait to capture even more of New England as Matt and I gear up for our move back to New England hopefully this year. As always we’ll keep you posted, but until then have a great weekend. 

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  1. You should visit Ridgefield, CT! The Main Street has such a quintessential New England vibe, with gorgeous colonial houses flanking either end and shops and restaurants in the center. There is also the Keeler Tavern House, a preserved historical house that now acts as a museum. People stayed in the tavern during the Revolutionary War, and the Battle of Ridgefield took place there! If you can, would definitely recommend you come around Christmas. Time (the Christmas Stroll is amazing!)

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