Voluntown is number 18 in my project to visit all the small towns in CT.
Lying on the border of Rhode Island, Voluntown was was named for the colonial volunteers in the 1675 King Philip’s War who stayed to fight “and went not away”. Established in 1721 and encompassing 38.92 square miles, 2,570 souls now call Voluntown home.
King Philip’s War took place from 1675 to 1678. It pitted the Indigenous peoples of the Northeastern Woodlands against the English New England Colonies and their Indigenous allies. The Indigenous forces were led by the Wampanoag leader Metacomet, whom the colonists also called King Philip. The colonies assembled the largest army that New England had yet mustered, consisting of 1,000 militia and 150 Native allies. At the time, New England was populated by 50,000 European settlers and 20,000 Natives. By the end of the war, 10% of the adult male colonist population were killed, while the native population was reduced by roughly 50% through combat, starvation, and displacement. King Philip’s war was the deadliest war in Colonial American History.
An interesting footnote for people who live in the Simsbury area, there is a small cave in the face of Talcott Mountain, quite near the Heublein Tower, called King Philip’s cave. Legend has it that it was from this cave that Metacomet watch the burning of the town of Simsbury.
The drive to Voluntown was about 1h 20m, so by the time I got there lunch was a priority. I chose Town Grill & Pizzeria, and I was not disappointed. They are pretty normal American fare, and like most restaurants of their type, they have a side focus on pizza as well. Honestly, I was surprised by what a nice little restaurant this was, especially for a place next door to a tattoo parlor. There is even an outdoor seating area. When the weather is warm, it must be nice to sit out there and have dinner accompanied by the screams from the tattoo parlor.
My beer came in a Whalers glass, which is apparently a brewery in Rhode Island, and not a hockey team from Connecticut.
Next stop was Lavender Hill Farm Alpacas. My pre-trip research told me they had a little gift shop and some alpacas out back; I knew what to expect, but they exceeded my expectations. The woman running the gift shop, who I assumed to be the owner, could not have been nicer or more convivial. We got to talking about any number of things, including the weaving classes they offer, for which I plan to return.
The gift shop was wonderful. Everything was of exceptional quality. I could easily see this place being a favorite stop to pick up Christmas and birthday presents. They had sweaters and hats and socks, local pottery, candles, you name it.
And of course, there were alpacas!
Thank you Voluntown for another great day in Connecticut!