The Music Vale Seminary opened
its doors in 1835 and quickly became one of the most prestigious
schools of music in the United States. Founded by Oramel Whittlesey, the
Music Vale Seminary was the first school of its kind to offer a
teaching degree in music and thus made Salem CT a national landmark
in the mid 19th century. The Seminary saw many events in
the many years that it
was open, but could it not compete with the ongoing Civil War which
had claimed many of its students. Dwindling enrollment, 2 major
fires and the death of its founder lead to the ultimate demise of
this once great school. Today, all that remains of the campus is
the Seminary Barn and a historical marker which can be seen from
Rt. 85 in Salem.
It is near this barn and
marker that you begin your search for the cache hidden
onThe Road to Music Vale.
The barn itself is
on private property, but the marker is easily readable from the
shoulder of Rt 85. THERE
IS NO NEED TO APPROACH THE BUILDING OR PARK ON THE
GRASS. Instead, take a few seconds to pull over
near the listed coordinates and use the first 2 dates listed on
the historical maker to obtain the coordinates for the final
stage:
First Stage North Coordinates + ((First Date/1000)-1.768)= North
Coordinates, Final
First Stage West Coordinates + ((Second Date/1000)-3.114)= West
Coordinates, Final
I recommend driving another 100 yards or so and working out the
math in the Salem Town Office parking lot. Once you have the
coordinates, it is only a short drive or bike ride to the final.
Take your GPS and perhaps a picnic basket and enjoy the scenery.
You are looking for a Sterlite
container, which contains the usual assortment of trinkets, a
special prize & certificate for the FTF and a log
book.
Happy Hunting!
