Wes Haynes, the executive director of the Merritt Parkway Conservancy, will trace the origin, decline, and revitalization of the picturesque roadway that connects New Canaan to much of Fairfield County in a talk to the New Canaan Men’s Club Friday at its meeting in Morrill Hall, St. Mark’s Church.
The meeting will begin at 10 a.m. with Haynes’ talk taking place around 10:40 a.m., following the business portion of the meeting.
With construction beginning in 1934, the nationally significant roadway was first opened to the public in 1938, relieving the heavy congestion on Rt. 1. The Merritt is known for its beautiful landscape and architecturally distinctive bridges.
Haynes’ presentation looks behind the scenes at the work of the Merritt Parkway Conservancy, a non-profit, member-supported organization working to protect and steward Connecticut’s largest historic place and scenic byway since 2002.
Haynes is the Conservancy’s Executive Director since 2018. A Stamford resident, he has held senior staff positions in historic preservation organizations in the tri-state region including the Connecticut Trust for Historic Preservation (now Preservation CT) and the New York Landmarks Conservancy. He has taught architectural preservation at the Parsons School of Design in New York and Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in Troy.
The Men’s Club, comprised of New Canaan men 55-years old and above, has openings for new members. For further information, email ncmens@ncmens.club.