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 Bibliography 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: W. Tyler Olcott: Click Here
Added: Howard L. Stanton Biography: Click Here
Updated: Howard L. Stanton Article: Click Here
Added: Dr. Leonard B. Almy: Click Here
Added: Civil War Vets Buried in Norwich: Click Here
1799-1882 Reverend Hiram P. Arms
Norwich History … It Never Gets Old
Hiram Phelps Arms was born in Windsor, Connecticut, in 1799. He graduated from Yale College of Divinity with a PhD in 1824 and was settled in the ministry at Hebron and later at Wolcottville, CT.
In August of 1836, he was invited to preach at the First Congregational Church in Norwichtown by Senator John T. Wait. Following his sermon, the church members, numbering around 200, voted to install Rev. Hiram Arms as their new pastor. Since the church’s inception, he was the congregation’s sixth pastor. He served in that capacity from 1836 to 1873, a period of 57 years.
Rev. Arms was a strong believer in equality for all and an outspoken abolitionist, often reflected in his sermons. He was invited to officiate at Aaron Dwight Stevens’ funeral, following his execution. Stevens fought with John Brown at Harpers Ferry and, following his capture, was hanged for treason. Aaron Stevens’ father was the church’s choirmaster.
Click HERE to learn more about Reverend Arms
Click HERE to read previous “Norwich History … It Never Gets Old” articles
“Norwich History … It Never Gets Old,” articles are published here on Fridays
Reverend Hiram P. Arms
1st Congregational Church - after 1801
An historical fiction novel by Bob Dees about Norwich's 1850s Gold Mining Co.
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The IconicNorwich.org website was designed, developed, and is maintained by Bob Dees