Mill Hill Historical Park, Norwalk CT

Client: Norwalk Historical Commission and City of Norwalk CT

Heritage Landscapes led the Mill Hill project in planning, design, approvals, construction documents, bidding, and construction oversight through phased implementation between 2018 and 2023, working with the City of Norwalk and the Historical Commission. This project culminated in executing a site-sensitive design for the historically significant Mill Hill Historic Landscape to unite the 1825 former Jailhouse and 1845 Barn Structure with the uphill Historic Meeting House and Cemetery landscape. Our work successfully:

  • Created a gathering space for groups, while interpreting the sheriff’s office footprint
  • Constructed resilient, year-round ADA access ramps from gathering space to restored Jailhouse
  • Provided steep hillside access trail and steps up a without significant visual impacts to the iconic grassy hillside from the harbor
  • Promoted the panoramic harbor overlook, solidifying the Norwalk Harbor landscape as foundational to Norwalk’s existence, commerce and heritage
  • Captured and infiltrated rain water in chambers below the mustering space

The project achieved the objectives of addressing ADA accessibility; stormwater drainage on a constrained site; legal agreements with the adjacent commercial development; and Norwalk Historical Commission Program Requirements. With handicap access improvements to the historic buildings for community tours and a steep uphill path available for able-bodied visitors, the community can now enjoy the broad panoramic view and a sense of the historic city from this iconic hillside landscape at the head of the Norwalk Harbor. The Mill Hill Jail and Barn landscape accessibility project successfully achieved universal access, learning and enjoyment for visitors to the Mill Hill Historical Park while elevating public awareness of a valued heritage asset in the city.

WORKS:

Concept Design, Approvals, Construction Documents, Administration

TEAM:

Heritage Landscapes LLC

QUOTES:

As Milll Hill provides a panoramic view of Norwalk harbor connecting 18th and 19th century local heritage, this project connects and uplifts these important heritage sites.