Discoveries...America Collection: New England States

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6 DVD Collection of "Discoveries…America" New England States: Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, Rhode Island & Connecticut.

Connecticut: Connecticut is an historic collection of treasures with deep connections to the sea and proud agricultural traditions. The Brooklyn Fair is one of the best in New England where visitors learn about farming, animals and hot-rod tractors at the tractor pulling competition. At the Rich’s dairy farm, the family pre-dawn ritual is milking, and sometimes they work their land the old-fashioned way with horse drawn machinery. When they’re not milking cows they’re making gourmet ice cream in their roadside stand. With the arrival of the Antiques Marketplace in Putnam, the community was transformed from a mill town on the skids into a booming antiques mecca that draws visitors from around the region to purchase everything from postage stamps to vintage pieces of furniture selling for thousands of dollars. Mystic Seaport is a maritime historic village with authentic wooden ships and an opportunity to discover the region’s connection to the sea. In Groton, the “Submarine Capitol of the World," the US Navy’s Submarine Force Museum and Library preserves the heart and soul of “the silent service." Project Oceanology brings high school students out to sea to conduct water quality research in a real life setting. It looks like a mediaeval fortress but in reality the stone castle overlooking the Connecticut River is one of the Connecticut’s most popular and intriguing attractions - the home of William Gillette, the original actor who played Sherlock Holmes. In 1968, a bulldozer operator accidentally uncovered 2000 dinosaur footprints from 200 million years ago. Today they are preserved underneath a geodesic dome at Dinosaur State Park where visitors learn about the creatures who once walked on this very spot. In Hartford, take a peek inside America’s oldest public art museum, the Wadsworth Atheneum, and step back in time to the gilded age in the house where Mark Twain created “The Adventures of Tom Sawyer” and other tales. Nearby Bristol, is home of the new High Definition production studios of ESPN. It’s all here in the small state of Connecticut, rich in culture and remarkable because of its people.

Massachusetts: America’s first settlers arrived in Provincetown. Monuments to the pilgrims abound in this seaside community. The Dolphin Fleet was the originator of East Coast whale watching and is home to such species as Humpback, Finback & Minke whales. Arts Dune Tours has guided visitors on historic sand dunes of Cape Cod National Seashore for over 50 years. Captain Bob Luce guides Striper Fishing off the Cape. The Cape Cod Canal is a crucial waterway. In Plymouth, the Pilgrim Hall Museum provides collection of original pilgrim possessions and artifacts. Cranberries are an important crop with interesting harvesting. Salem is colorful, coastal city known for its Witchcraft Trials in 1692. Boston’s Old North Church played a significant part in this country’s history. Change Ringers keep the bells ringing today. Boston’s Crane Paper is the only supplier of US currency paper in the country. In the hills of Western Massachusetts visit Monterey Chevre Cheese and watercolorist Alan James Robinson. Enjoy America’s favorite artist at the Norman Rockwell Museum & Studio. The Big E is largest fair in Northeast with attractions, Super Circus, Avenue of the States, agriculture, animals, rides & a cream-puff bakery.

Maine: Maine is a visual feast of cultural and scenic highlights of a state whose wilderness, lakes, rivers and dramatic coastline form a rugged, beautiful environment. An early morning trip to sea with two lobstermen is a lesson in the importance of crustaceans to the state’s identity and economy. Local lobster pounds like Trenton Bridge Lobster Pound and Red’s Eats are two of the places to enjoy this traditional delicacy. In Wiscasset, an unexpected peek into the Musical Wonder House reveals an astounding collection of beautifully preserved music boxes. In Freeport, you’ll find the Desert of Maine, the only desert east of the Mississippi. Bar Harbor & surrounding Acadia National Park are charming, scenic and beautiful even on the most blustery day, which makes them two of the largest tourist draws in the state. In Eastport, tour a salmon aquaculture facility where they monitor the fish with cameras for an effective way to insure proper feeding. A longtime condiment for the area’s sardines, Raye’s Mustard is still popular enough to be made using the old-fashioned stone ground method from one hundred years ago to produce delicious gourmet mustards. Near Mt Katahdin a group of Appalachian Trail hikers who are almost finished with the trail reflect on their 2000-mile, 6 month journey. The historic Katahdin Steamboat has plied the waters of Moosehead Lake since the early 1900s, during which time it has hauled everything from tourists to logging equipment, and sometimes both. Maine used to be the number one potato producing state in the country and potato farming is still big business here. Although economies of scale have changed it somewhat, potato farming is still a family business and important enough to have its own television show, the Potato Picker’s Special, each morning. The Maine Military Authority is responsible for saving the government millions of dollars by refurbishing a variety of military vehicles including the Humvee. A tour of their facility shows what goes into bringing Humvee’s back to life with everything from improved suspensions to engine replacement and bodywork. Gene Bahr is a wildlife artist who uses the local basswood to create very unique “catch and release” carvings - amazingly detailed sculptures of fish that are intended to replace the trophy with a beautiful, artistic replica that won’t suffer the ravages of time.

New Hampshire: “New Hampshire is what New England was” or so say the local residents in this part of the country. Quintessential New England is reflected in charming and historic Portsmouth, a small city that Money Magazine frequently calls “one of the ten best places to live”. In the autumn, the Fall Color Report gives thousands of visiting ‘leaf peepers’ a chance to find the very best foliage in the state. Take a ride on the Cog Railroad to the top of Mt. Washington and experience the worst weather in the United States. Learn about the history of New Hampshire’s Grand Hotel Resorts and their comeback in contemporary times. Pull off the highway into one of America’s original roadside attractions - Clark’s Trading Post. Run by the Clark family since the 1930’s, it began with Eskimo dogs and now features trained bears and a variety of other attractions. All aboard the Café Lafayette Dinner Train – a restaurant with a constantly changing view. Meet Peter Limmer who’s customs boots have been on top of nearly every major mountain peak in the world and if you want to order a pair you’ll have to wait 42 months! Take a tour of Canterbury Shaker Village and step back in time to America’s oldest general store in Bath, NH. Since 1792 it’s been one of the most recognized periodicals ever published. Visit Yankee Publishing and learn the hidden secrets of The Old Farmer’s Almanac.

Rhode Island: Rhode Island has a proud tradition of independence and a number of historic firsts. The smallest state in the union is one of America’s precious gems and a microcosm of New England. The first armed conflict with the British took place in Warwick, Rhode Island with the burning of the Gaspee, and the Industrial Revolution has its origins at Slater Mill. Preservation of history in the form of 18th century architecture is a major concern in Newport. Twentieth century mansions line the bluff in the Bellevue District including Astors Beechwood Speakeasy, which brings to life the past through entertainment, music and acting. Visitors to Rose Island can step back in time by staying at a lighthouse, in the process learning about stewardship and the responsibilities of being a light keeper. Providence, the state’s capital, has gone through a major transformation in the last decade. The city has become revitalized through a combination of development and civic pride. Barnaby Evans’ WateFire Providence is a moving work of art and a symbol of the city’s transformation. Providence also supports a tasty tradition of culinary excellence nurtured by institutes such as Johnson and Wales University and the Culinary Archives & Museum. The Federal Hill district known as “Little Italy” is famous for its restaurants, boutiques and gourmet food shops. A glimpse into the world of jewelry manufacturing shows the origins of some of the local wealth that was used to create some of the beautifully preserved architecture on Benefit Street. Outside of the capital, small villages and businesses have changed little over time, including historic Coggleshall Farm and Kenyons Grist Mill. Block Island draws thousands of summer residents each year who come to experience the pace of island life and its beaches, boating and fishing. Rhode Island might be small in size but it is a state rich in history, culture and color.

Vermont: "Maple syrup is Vermont’s most recognizable product and is produced at Dakin Farm. At the Covered Bridge Museum in Bennington learn about their history. Moosefest is where dozens of moose art sculptures appear around town. Orvis Company in Manchester was founded in 1856 - they still create legendary fly rods. Learn to handle hawks at The British School of Falconry. Vermont Teddy Bear Company produces the only teddy bear still made in the United States. Artist Max Osorio creates art using his chainsaw like a chisel. Tour cider making at Cold Hollow Cider Company. Spiritual life and music are priorities of the Benedictine monks at Weston Priory. Community of Derby Line has several buildings that straddle border with Canada. Knights Spider Web farm is original “web site” where art is made using spider webs. Fine granite comes from mountains in Vermont at Rock of Ages Granite Quarry in Barre - a local cemetery is a showplace. Every Halloween, Ellie’s Farm Market puts on roadside display with 1000 carved pumpkins."

Please see Discoveries... America individual states for complete descriptions.