Legends of the Lower CT River Valley

Legends of the Lower CT River Valley with Stephen Gencarella

The CT River Valley has been an important site for storytelling ever since humans arrived here. In his talk at the Essex Library on Thursday, August 3rd at 7 p.m., Professor Stephen Gencarella will tell and discuss many legends and other folk narratives of the lower CT River Valley. He will address some of the best known examples such as the Moodus Noises and Lady Fenwick; revive a few long-forgotten ones such as Obed’s Altar and the mystery of the Selden Island lotus; and even discuss an important (and recently discovered) ghost story centered in Essex. Professor Gencarella is currently at work in developing an exhibit with the River Museum and will welcome audience members to share their stories as well.

Stephen Gencarella is a professor of folklore studies at UMass Amherst and is the resident folklorist at the Connecticut River Museum. He was featured in the June 2017 Connecticut Magazine in an article entitled “The Moodus Noises” (pg. 35), and is also developing a series on Connecticut folklore for iCRV.

This program is free and open to the public. Please call the Essex Library at (860) 767-1560 for more information and to register. The Essex Library is located at 33 West Ave. in Essex.