Exploring the Historic Sporting Venues of Middletown, CT

Middletown, Connecticut is a town steeped in history and culture. From its charming architecture to its vibrant arts scene, this New England gem has something for everyone. And for sports enthusiasts, its a treasure trove of historic venues and events that tell the story of Americas love affair with athletics.

Begin your exploration at Palmer Field (71 Market St., Middletown). This beloved baseball stadium dates back to 1949 and has hosted countless games over the years. Its vintage scoreboard and iconic brick faade make it a mustvisit destination for any fan of Americas pastime.

Another cantmiss venue is Wesleyan Universitys Bacon Field House (161 Cross St., Middletown), which was built in 1932 as part of President Franklin D. Roosevelts Works Progress Administration. The field house boasts stunning Art Deco design elements such as intricate tile mosaics depicting athletic pursuits and an ornate wrought iron staircase leading up to an elevated running track. A tour through this historic building offers a glimpse into both sporting history and Depressionera artistry.

For those interested in aquatic sports, check out Crystal Lake (281 Bell St., Middletown). Open since the late 1800s, this picturesque lake served as host to numerous swimming competitions throughout the years including Olympic trials in 1984. Visitors can take a dip themselves or simply relax on one of several sandy beaches while enjoying beautiful views.

To cap off your trip down memory lane head over to Eli Cannons Tap Room (695 Main St., Middletown) where youll find fans from every generation swapping stories about their favorite local teams over pints from one of their extensive beer lists . Established in 1994 but housed within an almostcenturyold brownstone building decorated with memorabilia going back much further, Eli Cannons embodies the vibrant and eclectic spirit of Middletown.

From baseball to swimming to a good oldfashioned brew, Middletown offers something for sports fans of all stripes. So why wait? Start exploring today!

Websites:

Palmer Field: palmerfieldmiddletown.com

Wesleyan University: wesleyan.edu/athletics/facilities/baconfieldhouse.html

Crystal Lake: cityofmiddletown.com/departments/parksandrecreation/crystallakebeach/

Eli Cannons Tap Room: elicannons.com

Twitter Names:

Palmer Field: @PalmerFieldCT

Wesleyan Athletics: @Wes_Athletics

City of Middletown Parks & Recreation Department : @MtownParksRec

Eli Cannons :@elicannons