Bethlehem, Connecticut

Infobox Settlement
official_name = Bethlehem, Connecticut
settlement_type = Town


imagesize =
image_caption =


mapsize = 250px
map_caption = Location in Connecticut


mapsize1 =
map_caption1 =
subdivision_type = NECTA
subdivision_name = None
subdivision_type1 = Region
subdivision_name1 = Central Naugatuck Valley
subdivision_type2 =
subdivision_name2 =
government_type = Selectman-town meeting
leader_title = First selectman
leader_name = Leo S. Bulvanoski
established_title = Incorporated
established_date = 1787
area_land_km2 = 50.1
area_water_km2 = 0.8
area_total_sq_mi = 19.7
area_magnitude =
area_total_km2 = 51.0
population_as_of = 2005
population_total = 3596
population_footnotes = [ [http://www.census.gov/popest/cities/files/SUB-EST2005_9.csv U.S. Census Bureau Population Estimates] ]
population_density_sq_mi = 185
population_density_km2 = 72
timezone = Eastern
utc_offset = -5
timezone_DST = Eastern
utc_offset_DST = -4
area_land_sq_mi = 19.4
area_water_sq_mi = 0.3
elevation_m = 262
elevation_ft = 860
latd = 41 |latm = 38 |lats = 21 |latNS = N
longd = 73 |longm = 12 |longs = 31 |longEW = W
postal_code_type = ZIP code
postal_code = 06751
region =
website = [http://www.ci.bethlehem.ct.us/ Bethlehem]
area_code = 203
blank_name = FIPS code
blank_info = 09-04930
blank1_name = GNIS feature ID
blank1_info = 0213391
footnotes =

Bethlehem is a town in Litchfield County, Connecticut, United States. The population was 3,422 at the 2000 census.

The town's name has prompted thousands of visitors each December to mail their Christmas cards at the local post office in order to get a "Bethlehem" postmark."AAA Connecticut, Massachusetts & Rhode Island Tour Book", 2007, published by the American Automobile Association, page 38]

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 19.7 square miles (50.9 km²), of which, 19.4 square miles (50.1 km²) of it is land and 0.3 square miles (0.8 km²) of it (1.53%) is water.

At the eastern side of town is a ridge called "the Devil's Backbone", one of more than 30 Connecticut places named afer the devil.

Principal communities

*Bethlehem Village

Demographics

As of the censusGR|2 of 2000, there were 3,422 people, 1,246 households, and 935 families residing in the town. The population density was 176.8 people per square mile (68.2/km²). There were 1,388 housing units at an average density of 71.7/sq mi (27.7/km²). The racial makeup of the town was 97.49% White, 0.26% African American, 0.06% Native American, 0.79% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 0.38% from other races, and 0.99% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.64% of the population.

There were 1,246 households out of which 35.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 65.7% were married couples living together, 6.6% had a female householder with no husband present, and 24.9% were non-families. 19.6% of all households were made up of individuals and 7.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.69 and the average family size was 3.11.

In the town the population was spread out with 25.2% under the age of 18, 4.5% from 18 to 24, 26.6% from 25 to 44, 30.8% from 45 to 64, and 12.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 42 years. For every 100 females there were 94.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 93.4 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $68,542, and the median income for a family was $78,863. Males had a median income of $51,623 versus $37,500 for females. The per capita income for the town was $29,672. About 0.5% of families and 2.6% of the population were below the poverty line, including none of those under age 18 and 11.2% of those age 65 or over.

Transportation

Route 61 is the main north-south road while Route 132 is the main east-west road through the town.

Points of interest

The "Bellamy-Ferriday House and Garden" at 9 Main Street North was turned into a small museum by the Antiquarian and Landmarks Society. The building was constructed as a farmhouse in about 1754 by the Rev. Joseph Bellamy. Henry Ferriday bought the property, and his daughter, Carolyn Woolsey Ferriday owned it until 1990. The museum has American and European antiques and a formal parterre garden with a collection of roses, peonies and lilacs. A weeping willow on the property once stood at the grave of Napoleon Bonaparte.

Abbey of Regina Laudis

The town is home to the "Benedictine Abbey of Regina Laudis", founded in 1947, one of the first houses of contemplative Benedictine nuns in the United States. Robert Leather, a Protestant industrialist, donated 400 acres (1.6 km²) of land on which the convent is located. The convent now has 37 nuns.

The Abbey is known for its commitment to the arts, especially the performance of Gregorian Chant. The acting background of Mother Dolores Hart, O.S.B., has prompted the convent to sponsor annual summer theatre productions.

Hart has worked with fellow artists, including James and Dawn Douglas, to found The Act Association, a group that performs at The Gary-The Olivia Theater, an open-air venue which seats about 200 people. The theater was built in 1982 with the help of actress Patricia Neal, this open-air theater seats about 200 people. Productions have included plays by Shakespeare, Sartre, opera and musical reviews. Patricia Neal and James Douglas appeared in "She Stoops to Conquer" in 1999.

Notable people, past and present

*Dolores Hart, a former actress who appeared with Elvis Presley, became a Roman Catholic nun at the Benedictine Abbey of Regina Laudis in town, ultimately becoming head (or "prioress")of the convent. Her formal title now is the Reverend Mother Dolores Hart.
*Joseph Bellamy (1719-1790), an influential Congregationalist theologian in the 18th century, was pastor at the Congregational church in town for 50 years, until his death.
*Sally Campbell Woodhall, a former human rights protest leader, currently lives in Bethlehem. She is the founder of The Woodhall School, a small all-boys college-preparatory school.
*Actress Christine Baranski.

References

External links

* [http://www.ci.bethlehem.ct.us/ Town government Web site]
* [http://www.ci.bethlehem.ct.us/History%20&%20Genealogy/Early%20Bethlehem/history.htm History page on the town Web site]
* [http://www.artsnwct.org/ Northwest Connecticut Arts Council]
* [http://www.abbeyofreginalaudis.com Abbey of Regina Laudis website]
* [http://www.litchfieldhills.com/app/index.jsp Northwest Connecticut Convention and Visitors Bureau]
* [http://www.nwctc.commnet.edu/ Northwestern Connecticut Community College] in Winsted
* [http://www.ctreg14.org/page.cfm?p=10 Regional School District No. 14 and Nonnewaug High School]
* [http://www.woodhallschool.org/ The Woodhall School Homepage]
* [http://www.nps.gov/history/nr/twhp/wwwlps/lessons/85bellamy/85bellamy.htm "The Joseph Bellamy House: The Great Awakening in Puritan New England," a National Park Service Teaching with Historic Places (TwHP) lesson plan]