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NEWS & EVENTS
July 2023
Restoration of Bushnell Farm Subject of Event
One of Connecticut's oldest houses will be open, free, to the public on Saturday, July 1, 2023 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. The 1678 Joshua Bushnell House at Bushnell Farm at 1445 Boston Post Road in Old Saybrook was in the same family for 200 years and was restored during the 1930's.
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"Restoration and Historic Preservation" will be the theme of the day long activities on the 22-acre site with six buildings and a recreated Woodland Period wigwam or wetu. Demonstrators will include aspects of early building practices, hearth cooking along with spinning and weaving in the unique Loom House. There will be interpreters in the 17th century House and in the 18th century Barn that today includes a Forge and Carriage House. The event and the on-site parking are free.
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Contact Farm Curator, Brenda Milkofsky, for more information (860) 767-0674
Restored during the colonial revival that accompanied Connecticut's Tercentenary in 1935, the Bushnell Farmhouse stands today as one of the five oldest houses in the State. Open free on July 1, 2023.
Hearth cooking will be one of several activities at the free event at the historic Bushnell Farm on Saturday, July 1, 2023.
January 2022
The George C. Field Company, Inc., founded in 1897 and incorporated in 1922, is celebrating 100 years under our family's ownership and 125 years since Mr. George C. Field started the business in Madison, Connecticut.
The George C. Field Company of Madison was founded in 1897 by its namesake after a four-year apprenticeship as a cabinet maker, inlay expert, and master craftsman in the construction trades. After settling in Madison, he began as a building repairman and as an undertaker using some of his skills in the preparation of fine coffin work. As a sideline, he also restored antique furniture.
By 1922, Mr. Field's health began to deteriorate and he thought of giving up the business. His friends' advice prevailed, though, when he incorporated the company and allowed detail work to be handled by others. If anything, Field's high standards were raised even higher at that point. This is also the point, 100 years ago, that the Clark family began its ownership of the company. Mr. Carl Richmond, great-grandfather of current President, Tryon D. Clark, became a stockholder and manager of the company.
We are proud to be part of such a long-standing, successful business and look forward to continuing this tradition into the future.
With many thanks to our outstanding employees, tenants, clients, customers, vendors and partners for helping make this a successful business.
October 2021
Congratulations to Sherry Clark, Essex Historical Society's Volunteer of the Year for her 10+ years of Board service, many of them as President, and her leadership in EHS's involvement with the Burning of the Ships Bicentennial, StEPs-CT professional development program and the Follow the Falls project, as well as many others.
August 2021
In addition to the April 2021 donations, The Clark Group, donated a conference table and chairs plus numerous office chairs to the Essex Ambulance Association, Inc. to help support their operations. Steven Olsen, again, was responsible for picking up and delivering the items to the Association.
June 2021
April 2021
The Clark Group, of Essex, is pleased to announce support for the Essex Ambulance Association, Inc. by donating lockers and a coat rack. The lockers and coat rack will be utilized in the Ambulance headquarters to provide members and volunteers a safe place to store and secure personal items while they are serving the public. Steven Olsen, Assistant Chief of the Essex Ambulance Association, Inc., was instrumental in obtaining and delivering the donated items.
The Clark Group thanks the Essex Ambulance Association, Inc. for their good work provided to our community.
October 2020
Happy Halloween from The Clark Group!
November 2, 2019
Bushnell Farm's 2019 Harvest Home event celebrating America's 'WOODEN AGE" was held on Saturday, November 2nd. Visitors enjoyed guest artisans, handcrafting furniture, coopering barrels and decorative carving. There were opportunities to split shingles, make wooden nails, take a tree tour and press cider. As always, the public was welcome with free admission and on-site parking was available.
June 6, 2019
Herb Clark and The Clark Group were awarded the Corporate Citizens Award at the 20th Annual John A. Holbrook Awards Dinner held at Water's Edge Resort & Spa. The Corporate Citizen Award was created to recognize a local business who, with honor and dignity, have made a positive contribution to the community. Herb received a gift from Noel Bishop, Westbrook First Selectman, and also a Citation from the State of Connecticut General Assembly presented by CT State Representative Devin Carney.
May 18, 2019
We took it all off at Bushnell Farm at our Come Follow the Fibers event held at Bushnell Farm
Spring is a busy time on this 17th century Family Farm. We sheared sheep, processed flax from plant to fiber, washed, carded, dyed wool and weaved throughout the day. We turned out the bedbugs and set up a bed for the hired hand. We cooked fish and repaired our fishing nets. Visitors enjoyed the wigwam or took a ride in a farm cart. As always, the public was welcome with free admission and on-site parking was available.
January 2019
At the January Board meeting, the Essex Historical Society Board and staff toasted Past President, Sherry Clark, as they revealed the new plaque at Hills Academy, "The Sherry Clark Research Library." "Volunteering countless leadership hours in several Board positions over the years, Sherry continues to guide and counsel EHS." President Hank McInerney, surprised Sherry with the dedication at the EHS Annual Meeting in October, and the Board was pleased to gather again for the plaque's 'big reveal' at the monthly meeting. The Sherry Clark Research Library at Hills Academy is open to the public Tuesday and Thursday mornings, 9 am - noon, and by appointment.
January 2018
Connecticut Yankee Realty, Inc. celebrates 50 years of providing real estate management and development services to customers since the company's founding in 1968.
January 2018
At the Essex Savings Bank Trustees Meeting held Monday, January 22, 2018, Tryon D. Clark was elected Bank Trustee. Essex Savings Bank is an FDIC insured, state chartered, mutual savings bank established in 1851.
October 2016
The State of Connecticut General Assembly issued an official citation to Herb and Sherry Clark announcing congratulations for the couple's exemplary stewardship of the 1678 Bushnell House and Farm, which greatly benefits the town and the region.
October 2016
The Town of Old Saybrook Board of Selectman honored Herb and Sherry Clark with a proclamation for preserving the 1678 Bushnell House and Farm and for making it available for education and historical purposes.
October 2016
In recognition of their significant contribution to education and public involvement in preservation programs, the Old Saybrook Historical Society presented its first "Preservation Award" to Herb and Sherry Clark, in ceremonies at their historic 1678 Bushnell House and Farm on Boston Post Road.
December 2015
At the Community Foundation of Middlesex County Holiday Celebration, Herb and Sherry Clark presented Art Director and William McCrae, both long-term champions of Middlesex County, with the Herb and Sherry Clark Beacon of Philanthropy Award.
November 2015
The 2015 Bushnell Farm Harvest Home event was again a success. Thanks to Rob Galliette for the Photographs.
November 2015
Herb Clark and friends arrive in style at the Griswold Inn after voting in the local election. Mr. Clark started this tradition in part to take advantage of the Griswold Inn's offer of a free meal to anyone arriving by horse. Thanks to Rob Galliette for sharing the photograph.
April 2014
At the recent Annual Meeting of the Ivoryton Playhouse Foundation, Herb and Sherry Clark were presented with the President's Award for their outstanding contribution to the mission of Ivoryton Playhouse.
November 19, 2012
Essex Board of Finance honors Herb and Sherry Clark by dedicating the 2011-2012 Town of Essex Annual Report to them.
November 16, 2012
Herb and Sherry Clark receive Philanthropy Award from the Community Foundation of Middlesex County!
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The Community Foundation of Middlesex County (CFMC) is pleased to announce the recipients of its first Philanthropy Award are Herb and Sherry Clark of Essex. The Clarks are being recognized for their longstanding spirit of giving, their extraordinary commitment to helping others throughout Middlesex County, and their leadership in promoting philanthropy each and every day.
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The Philanthropy Award was presented to Herb and Sherry during the Community Foundation's 15th Anniversary Celebration on November 16, 2012. Joining more than 300 guests amidst a standing ovation, Cynthia Clegg, CFMC President and CEO, remarked, the Clarks seem to have a sixth sense about who needs help and what issues in the community need to be addressed. The Clarks are quiet in their work, het deliberate in taking action to help others and encourage all of us to do more, be more, give more.
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Herb and Sherry Clark are the embodiment of Philanthropy through their actions and examples. They, indeed, live by the rule Philanthropy Matters. Philanthropy Works.
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In further recognition of their lifelong commitment to the Middlesex County community and the Community Foundation, the award hereafter will be know as the Herb and Sherry Clark Philanthropy Award at the Community Foundation of Middlesex County.
January 24, 2012
Herb and Sherry Clark receive the Middlesex United Way Tocqueville Society Philanthropic Award!
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Middlesex United Way is pleased to present the Tocqueville Society Philanthropic Award to Herb and Sherry Clark for their significant role in inspiring philanthropy.
One example of that inspiration occurred when the Clarks provided a Leadership Circle challenge grant to United Way encouraging others to step up their giving levels. The couple has provided other similar challenge grants over the years through the Middlesex County Community Foundation.
Recently, the Connecticut Council for Philanthropy honored Herb and Sherry Clark with the 2011 John H. Filer Philanthropy Award. The award recognizes someone who embodies an entrepreneurial spirit and leadership in promoting the field of philanthropy and who demonstrates extraordinary commitment to help others. The Clarks make contributions of time, resources, and expertise to countless nonprofit organizations in Middlesex County and beyond.
Herb has served on numerous nonprofit boards and is a founding director of the Middlesex County Community Foundation. Other community activities include: HOPE Partnership, Connecticut River Museum, Rushford, Boy Scouts of America, Essex Foundation, Community Music School, Vista Vocational & Life Skills Center, Middlesex Hospital, Essex Rotary Club, and River View Cemetery. Herb also served on the Board of Directors at Middlesex United Way.
May 5, 2011
Herb and Sherry Clark receive the 2011 John H. Filer Award from the Connecticut Council for Philanthropy!
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The John H. Filer Philanthropy Award is given annually by the Connecticut Council for Philanthropy. The award honors the life and work of John Filer, former chief executed of Aetna Life & Casualty Company. Mr. Filer was know for his tremendous support of corporate citizenship and for helping reassert the American commitment to private philanthropy in the 1970s. The award recognizes someone who embodies an entrepreneurial spirit and leadership in promoting the field of philanthropy and who demonstrates extraordinary commitment to help in other in his/her community.
May 7, 2010
Herbert T. Clark III is presented the 2010 Liberty Bell Award!
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On Friday, May 7, 2010, the Middlesex County Bar Association presented Mr. Clark with this prestigious award in recognition of his long and distinguished career as a business leader and his commitment and support for the community development and enrichment of Middlesex County.
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