Experience 300 Years of Norwich History
The primary goal of this website is to educate the public about Norwich, Connecticut’s rich heritage and history spanning the 300-year period from 1659 to 1959. The site offers quick and easy access to an extensive collection of media, focusing on Norwich’s historical events, places, and other interesting tidbits.
This site is entirely free of charge
IconicNorwich.org features over 3,000 concise articles and numerous historical maps of Norwich. The articles are organized into more than 30 categories. The Media Library connects you to thousands of historical web-based links from Norwich. Several quizzes, prepared presentations, and crossword puzzles are provided to enhance the learning environment.
You are invited to add or contribute to new or existing placemarks by filling out the form in the “Contribute Article” section.
Recent Updates to IconicNorwich.org
Added Two Search Tables: Click Here
Added Book: Norwich History Never Gets Old: Click Here
Updated: 1803 Map of Norwich: Click Here
Added St. Patrick’s Cathedral Pamphlet: Click Here
Added: Photo of Yerrington’s Temple of Music: Click Here
Capt. Samuel C. Reid & the American Flag
Norwich History … It Never Gets Old
Samuel Chester Reid was born on August 24, 1783 in Norwich. He joined the U.S. Navy in 1794 at the age of 11 where he served aboard the sloop-of-war USS Constellation. He became the Master of the brig Merchant in 1803 and later became the commanding officer of the privateer brig General Armstrong during the War of 1812.
He is credited with designing the 1818 U.S. Flag which was the first U.S. flag to feature the pattern of one stripe for each of the original 13 colonies and add one star for each new state added to the union in the canton area of the flag.
A memorial, in honor of Captain Reid, was erected on Norwich’s Chelsea Parade green by the Eastern Connecticut Council Boy Scouts of American in 1932.
Click HERE to learn more about Captain Reid.
NOTE: “Norwich HIstory … It Never Gets Old,” article shown on this page is updated on Fridays
Captain Samuel Chester Reid
1783-1861
An historical fiction novel by Bob Dees about Norwich's 1850s Gold Mining Co.
Click On Image To Learn More