December 11, 2020
East Windsor Hill Post Office

At the northern end of Main Street in South Windsor is a historic district known as "East Windsor Hill."  In colonial times, it was from here that the ferry across the Connecticut River could be accessed. The Bissell Tavern hosted overnight guests such as John Adams, and locals could get their news and shipped wares at the general store, pictured below.

The left-hand section of the general store was built in 1757, while the two-story right-hand section was built ten to fifteen years later. In 1783, the general store, now known as the East Windsor Hill Post Office, received its first government postal rider. Over the centuries the building has been a saddle shop, gold and silversmith, publishing house, and general store but it has always been a place where locals could send and receive mail.

This iconic building is now a local landmark, referred to by many simply as the "Old Post Office" as it has the honor of being one of the oldest continuously operating post offices in the country.

Above the East Windsor Hill Post Office is pictured with the Bissell Tavern  ca. 1880-1901. The large building on right is the Bissell Tavern, and the smaller building next to it on the far right is identified as Sperry's barn, neither are in existence now

In the above black and white photograph ca.1900, people are shown standing in front of the  of the C.Z. Parmelee Store [Calvin Zina Parmelee], also known as the East Windsor Hill Post office. The people standing in the doorways and in front of the store, identified as Etta Parmelee, Calvin Zina Parmelee, T.E. Bancroft, and George Murdock. The note on the back says this was copied in 1962 from a slide.

This photograph is from a photo scrapbook by artist and photographer, Edith Watson, of East Windsor Hill. The black and white photograph, part of the Watson Family Collection, ca. 1900, bears the caption, "The store and Sperry Tavern in winter. Originally Aaron Bissell's tavern. Was torn down in 1901." A horse and cart are visible in front of the post office.

You can see an artistic sugary replica of this historic building at our 10th Annual Gingerbread House Festival themed "A Picture Perfect Holiday" hosted by The Promenade Shops at Evergreen Walk.  Our festival sponsor, Connecticut Mattress by Tom Wholley, is displaying this gingerbread masterpiece.

If you enjoy our window displays and are able to please consider becoming a

Friend of the Festival.

Donations can be made securely online, in person at Connecticut Mattress by Tom Wholley, or by mail to the PO Box listed below (checks should be made out to "Friends of WMLM."

Our Contact Information
*{{Organization Name}}*
*{{Organization Address}}*
*{{Organization Phone}}*
*{{Organization Website}}*

*{{Unsubscribe}}*