Brookfield Historical Society will hold a series of history walks in Brookfield Center on July 19.
The walks will include about 10 buildings in the center, which is a state-certified historic district, as well as the green and the Brookfield Township Cemetery, said society Vice President Jan Arnaut, who is coordinating the event.
Arnaut said she hopes the walk will not only raise awareness of the society but also give participants a glimpse of life and the people of the past and enhance the sense of community in Brookfield.
The walks will start at the newly opened Ripley’s Scoop Shop, which will promote a new business in town, she said.
Township founder Samual Hinckley created the green in the center of town and donated the land for the cemetery. Many of the existing buildings around the green date to the 1800s and some were stops on the Underground Railroad. Others are linked to the Brookfield Local School District, Brookfield Police Department and the center’s significance as a stagecoach stop.
“A lot of people don’t even know that a lot of the buildings around the center are historical landmarks,” said Arnaut, who conducted the research for the information that will be relayed at the walks.
No buildings will be entered, she said, although Ripley’s will be open for customers.
Arnaut said she hopes the walks and future society events will help bring Brookfield people closer together, especially across the generations, and generate more involvement in community activities.
The walks will begin every 30 minutes from 1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m., with society members conducting tours, Arnaut said. Attendees will be given a booklet to follow along with, and to take home.
Organizers said they expect the walks will last about 45 minutes, but the total amount of walking will be less than one mile.
The walks will cost $5 for people who are not society members and $3 for members.
Parking for the walks will be available at Briceland Funeral Home and Brookfield United Methodist Church. Parking is free.
