Caprilands LbNA #8354
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Nearby Boxes
Add Note
Add Location| Owner: | Adoptable |
|---|---|
| Plant date: | May 23, 2004 |
| Location: | |
| City: | Coventry |
| County: | Tolland |
| State: | Connecticut |
| Boxes: | 1 |
| Planted by: | MayEve  |
|---|---|
| Found by: | Gingergirl84 |
| Last found: | Aug 13, 2017 |
| Status: | FFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFF |
| Last edited: | May 23, 2004 |
Caprilands
In 1929, Adelma Grenier Simmons and her family moved into the c. 1780 farmhouse on Silver Street in Coventry. They called it "Caprilands" - latin for "goatland" named so for the herd of dairy goats that also made it their home. The house itself was quite run down, and its surrounding 50+ acres of land, laden with rocks and stones, was barely suitable for even the goats and sheep.
After failing as a dairy farm, Adelma, who didn't really care much at that time in her life for farming and animals, moved away from the homestead to attend school abroad. Upon her return, she found herself wandering the property dreaming of what might become of the land.
Her interest in herbs was born, and from that day forward, Adelma Grenier Simmons lived and breathed herbs. She planted and waited. She harvested and dried. She seeded and learned. She recorded and planned. And then she began again. Day after day, year after year, Adelma could be found ammending the good earth to make it a suitable home for the hundreds of herbs that would one day bring her fame and fortune. But it was not these things that Adelma sought; it was her desire to educate and inspire.
As Adelma laid the thousands of bricks and stones of the 30+ theme gardens by hand, she dreamed of herbs and their importance of the day, and of days gone by. She pondered their history and marveled at their medicinal properties. As the years passed, Caprilands thrived under Adelma's love, nurturing and hard work. She turned one of the barns into a lecture hall and gift shoppe, and the small caretakers hut was transformed into a book store where she sold her books and the handmade crafts of local artisans. A greenhouse was made and filled, and people came from every corner of the world to visit this herbal mecca and meet the "Herbal Goddess" herself. High teas were held on Sunday afternoons, and are to this very day. Luncheons were served, lectures and tours were given, and seeds and herbs were sold. Celtic music was, and is still enjoyed there on weekends, and seasonal celebrations centered around herbal lore were held in the grandest manner.
In her later years, you could find Adelma, as I did on occasions too numerous to mention, there in the book store with her cocker spaniel at her feet, dressed in an elaborate outfit which always included a flowing cape, and a beanie atop her head - usually adorned with bits of herbs and dried flowers. There, she would sign books, answer any question, sit and chat in that soft voice, and occasionally take a cat nap! Oh, how I admired this woman of herbs who planted a seed within the Secret Garden of my soul... and grows there still.
Adelma Grenier Simmons died in 1997 in the 94th year of her age at her beloved Caprilands.
Directions
North: I91 South to I291 East to I384 East or I84 West to Ct31 East to US44 East (see Map)
South: I91 North to I84 East, via Charter Oak Bridge, then I384 East
East: US44 West or Ct32 to Ct31 West
West: I84 East to I384 East
Once in North Coventry on US44, you will see the sign for Caprilands at the head of Silver Street. As a marker, two dairy farms are uphill of Silver Street. Once past the open fields on Silver Street and into the woods, you will find the Farm on your right.
Caprilands Letterbox Clues
Enter the first of two parking areas. Enter the main grounds through the opening in the stone wall. Proceed to your right with the main house on your left and the main barn (gift shoppe) on your right. PLEASE stop along the way to enjoy the many gardens, read plaques, admire the statues and immerse yourself in the beauty of Caprilands. Your path will come to a 3 way intersection: to the right you can visit the sheep, to your left the greenhouse and the magnificent Ash tree. It is the path ahead of you where you will find what you seek. Pass a white sitting area on your right, and then one on your left. See the wrought iron gate? Pass though the gate to the very large, ornately carved urn. On your right you will see a stone wall. To the right of the opening in the wall you will find your treasure behind a stone which is pointed towards the heavens! You may stamp in at either sitting areas. Please take care of this special box, and rehide it cautiously and well. Thank you!
Special thanks to my daughter who helped me plant this box!
NOTE: The general condition of Caprilands seemed to, itself, slip into mourning at the passing of Adelma. Weeds encroached the beds and the place seemed lost and "sad". Recently, Adelma's husband, Edward Cook has been planning the rejuvenation of Caprilands... it is what Adelma would have wanted.
In 1929, Adelma Grenier Simmons and her family moved into the c. 1780 farmhouse on Silver Street in Coventry. They called it "Caprilands" - latin for "goatland" named so for the herd of dairy goats that also made it their home. The house itself was quite run down, and its surrounding 50+ acres of land, laden with rocks and stones, was barely suitable for even the goats and sheep.
After failing as a dairy farm, Adelma, who didn't really care much at that time in her life for farming and animals, moved away from the homestead to attend school abroad. Upon her return, she found herself wandering the property dreaming of what might become of the land.
Her interest in herbs was born, and from that day forward, Adelma Grenier Simmons lived and breathed herbs. She planted and waited. She harvested and dried. She seeded and learned. She recorded and planned. And then she began again. Day after day, year after year, Adelma could be found ammending the good earth to make it a suitable home for the hundreds of herbs that would one day bring her fame and fortune. But it was not these things that Adelma sought; it was her desire to educate and inspire.
As Adelma laid the thousands of bricks and stones of the 30+ theme gardens by hand, she dreamed of herbs and their importance of the day, and of days gone by. She pondered their history and marveled at their medicinal properties. As the years passed, Caprilands thrived under Adelma's love, nurturing and hard work. She turned one of the barns into a lecture hall and gift shoppe, and the small caretakers hut was transformed into a book store where she sold her books and the handmade crafts of local artisans. A greenhouse was made and filled, and people came from every corner of the world to visit this herbal mecca and meet the "Herbal Goddess" herself. High teas were held on Sunday afternoons, and are to this very day. Luncheons were served, lectures and tours were given, and seeds and herbs were sold. Celtic music was, and is still enjoyed there on weekends, and seasonal celebrations centered around herbal lore were held in the grandest manner.
In her later years, you could find Adelma, as I did on occasions too numerous to mention, there in the book store with her cocker spaniel at her feet, dressed in an elaborate outfit which always included a flowing cape, and a beanie atop her head - usually adorned with bits of herbs and dried flowers. There, she would sign books, answer any question, sit and chat in that soft voice, and occasionally take a cat nap! Oh, how I admired this woman of herbs who planted a seed within the Secret Garden of my soul... and grows there still.
Adelma Grenier Simmons died in 1997 in the 94th year of her age at her beloved Caprilands.
Directions
North: I91 South to I291 East to I384 East or I84 West to Ct31 East to US44 East (see Map)
South: I91 North to I84 East, via Charter Oak Bridge, then I384 East
East: US44 West or Ct32 to Ct31 West
West: I84 East to I384 East
Once in North Coventry on US44, you will see the sign for Caprilands at the head of Silver Street. As a marker, two dairy farms are uphill of Silver Street. Once past the open fields on Silver Street and into the woods, you will find the Farm on your right.
Caprilands Letterbox Clues
Enter the first of two parking areas. Enter the main grounds through the opening in the stone wall. Proceed to your right with the main house on your left and the main barn (gift shoppe) on your right. PLEASE stop along the way to enjoy the many gardens, read plaques, admire the statues and immerse yourself in the beauty of Caprilands. Your path will come to a 3 way intersection: to the right you can visit the sheep, to your left the greenhouse and the magnificent Ash tree. It is the path ahead of you where you will find what you seek. Pass a white sitting area on your right, and then one on your left. See the wrought iron gate? Pass though the gate to the very large, ornately carved urn. On your right you will see a stone wall. To the right of the opening in the wall you will find your treasure behind a stone which is pointed towards the heavens! You may stamp in at either sitting areas. Please take care of this special box, and rehide it cautiously and well. Thank you!
Special thanks to my daughter who helped me plant this box!
NOTE: The general condition of Caprilands seemed to, itself, slip into mourning at the passing of Adelma. Weeds encroached the beds and the place seemed lost and "sad". Recently, Adelma's husband, Edward Cook has been planning the rejuvenation of Caprilands... it is what Adelma would have wanted.