The Eastern States Agricultural and Industrial Exposition was founded more than a century ago to "promote the agricultural and industrial development of the eastern states." Held at the fairgrounds in West Springfield, Massachusetts, the inaugural event was the National Dairy Show in 1916, followed by what would become known as "The Big E," the combined "state fair" of the six New England states: Connecticut, Massachusetts, Maine, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Vermont. Weathering floods, hurricanes, the Great Depression, and two world wars, it is currently one of the largest fairs in North America, with an attendance of over 1.3 million fairgoers in 2015. With photographs spanning the past century from exposition archives, area residents, and his own collection, author David Cecchi presents a fascinating visual history of what he refers to as "the fair."

After World War II, Nat King Cole romanticized Route 66 with his wonderfully melodious voice. Route 66 was a transcontinental highway that traveled from Chicago to Los Angeles. Today, Route 66 is no more. Can today’s traveler drive across the country on a two-lane highway and recapture the romance that Nat sang about half a century ago? It is possible! U.S. 20 begins in Boston and travels through the heartland, 3,365 miles, to Newport, Oregon. Its journey takes the traveler through a myriad of towns and places to explore. Through the Heartland on U.S. 20: Massachusetts relates the development of the road, each town’s historic events, people of renown who lived there, even the infamous, things to do and see, and the towns’ best restaurants. An exciting adventure awaits the reader as he or she travels through Massachusetts on U.S. 20.

Connecticut - a state that is often overlooked, but is full of fascinating stories, hidden treasures and unique gems. This book invites you on an exciting journey of discovery, from the coastal towns of Long Island Sound to the verdant hills of Litchfield Hills. From the historical roots in Hartford to the spiritual center at Yale University in New Haven. There's a lot more to Connecticut than meets the eye. It is not only a land of hedge funds and high society, but also a land of rich history, art, natural wonders, and cultural diversity. This non-fiction book takes you on a journey through known and hidden treasures in Connecticut, from Mystic Seaport to Yale University, and takes you into a world full of surprises and curiosity. We will explore the awe-inspiring maritime history of Mystic Seaport, unveil the intellectual splendor of Yale University, and uncover the lesser-known but equally remarkable treasures in its collections. We'll visit historic sites in Hartford, walk in the footsteps of Mark Twain, and explore the extravagant Gillette Castle. But Connecticut isn't just history and culture. We'll also embark on adventurous hikes along the Appalachian Trail, explore the quaint coastal towns like Essex and Old Saybrook, and discover the burgeoning wine industry on the Connecticut Wine Trail. In this book, we'll look at the diversity of Connecticut, from the culinary delights of New Haven to the natural beauty of Litchfield Hills. We will explore art and culture in Bridgeport and share mysterious experiences in Mystic. We'll also look ahead to the future of the state and explore innovation and renewal in Connecticut. Immerse yourself in this fascinating land of contrasts, where tradition and modernity, history and future merge. There's more to Connecticut than you might have thought, and we invite you to explore this state's well-known and hidden gems. Join us on this journey of discovery from Mystic Seaport to Yale University, and let Connecticut inspire you.

Connecticut's character runs much deeper than breathtaking fall foliage and quaint coastal towns. One day at a time, author Gregg Mangan chronicles fascinating episodes in state history, from the earliest European settlements to the modern era. After a lengthy debate, the state senate voted in favor of "Yankee Doodle" as the official state song on March 16, 1978. Bridgeport's General Electric Company completed work on the bazooka on June 14, 1942. On the morning of December 4, 1891, the only four-train collision in American history occurred at the railroad station in East Thompson. Each date on the calendar holds a nugget of knowledge in this celebration of Constitution State history.