Hidden In Plain Sight is a series of short sketches written by Michael G. Dell'Orto which shine a light on the intriguing historical oddities and places that have made Wilton such an interesting town. Some of these articles were originally published in 2002-2005 for the Wilton Main Street Association.
.jpg "Michael Dell'Orto")
Michael has lived in Wilton Center for 35 years. He is a long-time member of the Wilton Historical Society and had previously served as the Chair of the Wilton Heritage Commission.
Hidden in Plain Sight Articles
The Amusement Parlor
Did you know that in 1913 Wilton had a full-fledge Amusement Parlor where Nelson's Candies is now, with a pool hall, shooting gallery and twin bowling alleys?
Vaudeville at the Town Hall Theater
We know it as an independent movie theater, but starting from the end of the 19th century, the Town Hall was on the small-time vaudeville circuit!
Wilton Historical Society Rooms
Come take a virtual tour of the fascinating collection of the Wilton Historical Society!
The Main Street Fires
Three fires, all in the dead of winter, devastated downtown Wilton; the last came in 1885 precisely eleven years to the day of the first in 1874.
Ring's Ambrosia
“The Greatest Healer on Earth” was a salve that was sold all over America in the late 19th and early 20th century out of a modest home-based factory in West Wilton. presided over by a quintessential Yankee, Philander Ring.
The Wilton Artists' Colony
Wilton has a long history as an artists’ colony - from the late 19th century on, a group of world class artists found this town to be a place that inspired them.
Wilton Station
With an original building erected in 1831 (replaced several times), the Wilton Station saw many years of active train service to/from Boston, until the slow demise of passenger and freight service in the 1950's.
Horse and Sulky Mural (by guest contributor Gail Hoar)
Read the fascinating history of the beautiful mural on the side of the former Intervale Machinery building, on Forest Road traveling south into WiIton.
V for Victory Graffiti
Ever noticed and wondered why there is a faint graffiti of a "V" with three dots and a dash on the side of the Wilton Falls Building heading into downtown?
Murder in Wilton Center!
A crime that was the "greatest shock ever given to the public morals and the honorable repute of the town".
The Great Flood of 1936
The combination of an early spring thaw accompanied by heavy rains, coupled with ice jams in the Souhegan and a burst dam at New Ipswich led to two days of devastation in Wilton and beyond.
The Second Meetinghouse Model
A model of the Second Meetinghouse in Wilton is only one of the treasures "Hidden in Plain Sight" at the Wilton Historical Society, an item whose story encompasses the tragic accident that accompanied the Meetinghouse's construction and the devastating fire that ultimately destroyed it.