Presentation explores power lines’ history

WASHINGTON — The Gunn Historical Museum, in collaboration with the Steep Rock Association and Hollister House Garden, present Steve Jones and Zac Mirecki who present “The Bulls Bridge to Waterbury Power Line in Washington,” in the new program barn at Hollister House Garden at 300 Nettleton Hollow Road in Washington, on Saturday at 10 a.m. Following their presentation Jones and Mirecki will lead a history hike in Steep Rock Preserve in Washington, where participants will see and hear more about the remaining features of this power line.

The Bulls Bridge hydroelectric power project, built on the Housatonic River in 1904, was the largest power project of its kind at the time east of the Rocky Mountains. Remarkably, the electricity generated here was not used locally, but transported 26 miles over to Waterbury. This created both amazement and disdain for the project. In their continuing research on this fascinating power line Steve and Zac have discovered new information which they will be sharing in their presentation. Steve and Zac will discuss the short but turbulent history of this power line, and rediscover its long-lost route through the southern part of Washington, Connecticut, including Nettleton Hollow, and they will have a display of the actual artifacts found along the route.

Everyone is invited to attend this free program. Call the Gunn Historical Museum at 860-868-7756 or view www.gunnmuseum.org for more information.