1. Barbara Farnsworth Bookseller
City: West Cornwall, CT
Category: Shopping
Telephone: (860) 672-6571
Address: 06796
Description: Barbara Farnsworth was once a writer herself, and knows books. Her charming shop is in a former Masonic hall in West Cornwall, once home to writers James Thurber and Mark Van Doren. The shop is only open Sat, but houses 45,000 books on literature, biography, poetry, diaries and letters, art, architecture, photography, fashion and costume, and natural history, as well as cookbooks and children’s books. The biggest selection is in horticulture and landscape design. Check this place out, along with Cornwall Bridge Pottery and, of course, the actual covered bridge, a short walk away.
2. Cornwall Bridge Pottery
City: West Cornwall, CT
Category: Shopping
Telephone: (860) 672-6545
Address: 415 Sharon Goshen Tpke.
Description: Just south of the famous covered bridge, you’ll see a red barn that houses the workshop of Todd Piker, who since 1974 has made pots for well-known clients. He welcomes visitors to watch as he and his apprentices turn clay into beauty and function. You never know what you’ll see here, so call ahead if you want to see the potters at the wheels or at work at the long wood-fired kiln. In the village the store selling these wonderful pots and bowls is just back through the bridge to the east. These are investments, too; everyone agrees that Piker’s work will be worth tons of cash by the time your grandchildren inherit it.
3. Clarke Outdoors
City: West Cornwall, CT
Category: Shopping
Telephone: (860) 672-6365
Address: 163 Route 7
Description: Clarke Outdoors runs rafting expeditions on the Housatonic River and gives kayak lessons as well. They also have a rental service that allows you to paddle or raft a 10-mile section of the Housatonic, with shuttle service that drops you off upriver in Falls Village. You make your way back to Housatonic Meadows State Park, perhaps stopping for a picnic lunch at the covered bridge in West Cornwall on your way. However, this is also a retail store with a huge selection of canoe and kayak equipment, perhaps the best you’ll find. The employees are all experts, and they will steer you toward the right boat, guidebooks, and accessories to make your expedition a success.
4. West Cornwall Bridge
City: West Cornwall, CT
Category: Tours & Attractions
Description: Ironically, perhaps, the Cornwall Bridge is not in the town of the same name, but slightly north in West Cornwall, if that makes sense. It is one of the most distinctive covered bridges in the state, and one of only two you can drive over. It crosses the Housatonic River along Route 128, just where it meets Route 7. The covered bridge was invented here in Connecticut by New Haven architect Ithiel Town, who wanted to design a bridge that could be made by people without engineering experience in small towns around America. His friend, inventor Eli Whitney, suggested covering it. Town actually designed this particular bridge as well, and you can see the architect’s work on his home turf.