Podcast
Trout Brook Tales
Hosted by Chuck Coursey · EN
Exploring people, places and events throughout West Hartford's rich history.
10episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
Episode 15: West Hartford & The Civil War
4w ago01:00:07Tap to summarizeWhen President Lincoln called for volunteers in April 1861, West Hartford answered. In this episode, host Chuck Coursey is joined by Town Historian Mary Donohue and CCSU History Professor Matt Warshauer to explore how this small Connecticut community was shaped by the Civil War - from its first enlistee to the monument that still stands today.
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Episode 14: Rooted in Verse: The James Wallace Pine Family Legacy in West Hartford
Mar 2900:38:51Tap to summarizeJames Wallace Pine - laborer, lay preacher, Civil War organizer, and published poet - lived a life that defied the narrow margins history often assigned to Black men in nineteenth-century New England. Join Brett Freiburger, Local History Librarian at the West Hartford Public Library and Trout Brook Tales host Chuck Coursey as they explore the Pine Family and learn about one family's quiet story of loss, resilience, creative spirit, and deep roots in a place that doesn't always remember them.
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Episode 13: The Life & Legacy of Bristow with Dr. Booker DeVaughn
Feb 2200:55:25Tap to summarizeIn this episode of Trout Brook Tales, we sit down with Dr. Booker DeVaughn for a powerful conversation about Bristow, a remarkable figure in West Hartford's history. Born in Africa in 1731, Bristow was enslaved by the Hooker family before purchasing his freedom in 1775 and becoming a respected agricultural expert and community member. Dr. DeVaughn has dedicated over four decades to bringing Bristow's story to life, a commitment that led to the 2005 naming of Bristow Middle School.
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Episode 12: West Hartford in World War I - The Heroic Lives of Francis Velhage and Waldo Hayes
Jan 1901:12:35Tap to summarizeWorld War One transformed American communities in profound and lasting ways, and West Hartford was no exception. In this episode of Trout Brook Tales, host Chuck Coursey and special guest Kathryn Coursey (Chuck's niece and fellow history enthusiast) explore the heroic yet tragically brief lives of two young West Hartford soldiers—Waldo Hayes and Francis Velhage. Their courage and sacrifice would be memorialized in 1922 with the establishment of West Hartford’s Hayes-Velhage Post 96 of The American Legion, forever linking their names to the town's history.
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Episode 11: From Talcott Elementary to the Cabbage Patch Craze: How Coleco Turned a West Hartford School into Toy History
Dec 2200:36:51Tap to summarizeIn the 1980s, Cabbage Patch Kids weren't just a toy—they were a cultural phenomenon that sparked shopping frenzies, made headlines, and became one of the most sought-after gifts in American history. But few people know that the epicenter of this craze was right here in West Hartford.Join West Hartford Town Historian Mary Donohue and me as we explore the fascinating story of Coleco, the toy company that transformed the former Talcott Elementary School into its bustling headquarters. We'll uncover how a West Hartford company became the manufacturer behind America's hottest toy and relive the wild days when parents lined up for hours—sometimes even fought—to get their hands on a Cabbage Patch Kid.Discover how West Hartford played a starring role in one of the greatest toy success stories of all time.
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Episode 10: The Life & Times of Inez Temple (1880-1945)
Aug 200:45:40Tap to summarizeJoin West Hartford Public Library Local Historian Brett Freiburger and I as we discuss the life of Arnoldale Road resident Inez Temple, visionary designer and producer of pageants, dedicated teacher, world traveler, accomplished artist, historic preservationist and published author.
Transcribe →Episode 9: West Hartford Immigrant Teens share their Experiences
May 18, 202500:50:18Tap to summarizeWest Hartford immigrant teens and Hall High School students Ana Veriienko and Yimin Wu share their experiences, challenges, and triumphs as they navigate the journey from their homelands to a new life in the United States.
Transcribe →Episode 8: The History of AC Petersen Farms Restaurant & Andrew Christian Petersen
Apr 6, 202500:52:14Tap to summarizeAndrew C. Petersen left his home in Denmark for better opportunities in America. He began peddling milk on the streets of Hartford in 1913 and over the next 60 years built one of the most popular businesses in Greater Hartford.
Transcribe →Episode 7: The Stacks to Nowhere & West Hartford's Unbuilt Interstate 291 Highway
Dec 6, 202400:40:28Tap to summarizeAs modern interstate highways were being built throughout the United States in the 1950s, 60s & 70s, plans were made for a beltway around the City of Hartford, with a significant portion traveling through West Hartford's two reservoirs. Town Historian Tracey Wilson joins us to discuss the proposal and how it was defeated.
Transcribe →Episode 6: The History of Elizabeth Park
Nov 22, 202400:55:43Tap to summarizeWhen Charles Pond died in 1894, he left his 90 acre "Gentleman's Farm" to the City of Hartford for the purpose of providing a new public park for the city's growing population. His will stipulated that the park was to be named for his beloved wife, Elizabeth. Today's episode will look at the lives of Charles and Elizabeth Pond and the rich history of Elizabeth Park.
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