The Salmon Brook Historical Society invites the community to a special photo shoot on Saturday, Nov. 9, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. (rain date Nov. 10), at the Wilcox House on Simsbury Road in West Granby. Last month, I shared the story of the E. B. Goddard wagon, one of the unique props featured in this shoot. The other will be the charming Griffin Sleigh, similar in style to the sleigh in the photo at right.
This elegant sleigh, adorned with bells and finished in a striking black, features leather seats and long iron runners. Inside, a cozy bearskin awaits to keep its passengers warm during winter rides. One notable passenger was Fred Griffin, who spent most of his adult life on Hungary Road in Granby but grew up in Bloomfield. He fondly recounted to his daughter, Martha, how he would lay inside the sleigh, wrapped in the bearskin, gazing up at his grandmother. She, adorned with large earrings, expertly guided the sleigh, pulled by a draft horse, along Tunxis Avenue into East Granby. There, they would visit friends at the Thompson House and other relatives living on Hungary Road.
At the Griffin residence, the horse would rest in a stall in the barn until it was time to return to Bloomfield. The sleigh, measuring 55 inches in height, 53 inches in length, and approximately three feet in width, was compact yet perfectly suited for its purpose. The journey took about an hour and a half, making visits to family and friends an all-day affair in 1924. The sleigh was primarily used for special outings, especially on Sundays when snow blanketed the ground.
This century-old sleigh was generously donated to the Salmon Brook Historical Society by the Griffin family and is currently housed in the Preservation Barn. We invite you to come and sit in this historic sleigh for a photo opportunity on Nov. 9. Enjoy the picturesque backdrop of the barn or the scenic hills of West Granby while creating your own memories.
To learn more about the Griffin Sleigh or Fred Griffin, contact the Salmon Brook Historical Society by calling 860-653-9713, or go online at salmonbrookhistorical.com