In the middle of a hemlock grove along the Connecticut River in Norwich is an old landline phone set up in a wooden enclosure. It doesn’t work; it’s not connected to any phone line. But you can still pick it up and talk to someone you care about.

It’s called a wind phone, and there are hundreds like it set up around the world to help people coping with grief. The idea came out of Japan 15 years ago as a symbolic way for people to talk with loved ones who’ve died.

The one in Norwich was installed this summer on the grounds of the Montshire Museum of Science as part of a broader effort to use its 110-acre forest to promote mental health in the community.

Lexi Krupp / Vermont Public

The initiative comes in response to public feedback shared at listening sessions about how the muse

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