Crossroads of Revolution to Cradle of Reform: Litchfield, Connecticut, 1751-1833 will chronicle life in Litchfield, one of the most important political and cultureal centers of the nation, from the time it was designated the county seat in 1751 to the closing of Tapping Reeve's famed Litchfield Law School in 1833. The study of this community presents a unique opportunity to understand the growth of American politics, the pace and character of American reform movements, the development of proto-industrial commercial networkd, and the evolution of American educational institutions. Litchfield's historic resources are well-documented, varied in form, and historically significant. The project will allow researchers a rare opportinuty to examine comprehensively the life, culture, and politics of Litchfield in conversation with regional and national developments during the formative years of the country.