Troubadour Trail

THE TROUBADOUR TRAIL

Photo By Candice Flewharty

WELCOME!  This is Tom Callinan, a full-time creative and performing artist since 1977, and resident of Norwichtown since 2007. The Troubadour Trail was created to use thirteen of my original songs, to provide visitors – whether onsite, or virtually, with musical interpretations of people, places and/or events in Norwich’s storied history.

As background, it is widely held that I have written more songs about Connecticut people, places, and events than anyone in history, and to acknowledge and honor my contributions to Connecticut’s cultural identity, in 1991 I was designated Connecticut’s first Official State Troubadour, via legislation passed by the Connecticut General Assembly, and signed into law by then-Governor Lowell P. Weicker, Jr.

CT Troubadour Logo Patch Designed By Tom Callinan – 1991

The Troubadour Trail is divided into 12 separate stops, within three distinct sections.  Some of the stops overlap with stops on other components of the “Walk Norwich” online project, such as the Benedict Arnold Trail and the Uncas Leap Trail.

Each stop on the Troubadour Trail will feature some background text and audio narration about the site; one or more relevant photos or illustrations; and an audio of each complete song to illustrate how each respective site inspired a relevant musical composition.

Although each section of the Troubadour Trail may be experienced in any order or sequence, for walkers, the suggested start of the trail begins at the Lowthorpe Meadow’s Pagoda Gateway on Upper Washington Street [between 380 and 410 Washington Street], which merges with the Ancient Burial Ground, and which ends at the large yellow and white Samuel Huntington House at 34 East Town Street.