Stamford History Real Time

Whitman Bailey Sketches: data of the collection now online

The data of the inventoried collection of the Whitman Bailey Sketches are now online.

Beginning in 1924 and continuing for the next thirty years, Whitman Bailey's sketches appeared in the Stamford Advocate almost weekly.  Black and white drawings of local scenes, the sketches were accompanied by brief vignettes of the scene.  Mostly factual, at times the stories presented were local folklore faithfully transmitted for the interest of the reader.  Thanks to Dorothy Mix and other volunteers, our collection of the newspaper clippings has been organized and scanned and may be viewed in the Marcus Research Library.

IC117: Whitman Bailey Drawings

April Photo Selection of the Month: Baseball in Stamford

Now that the baseball season has begun again, Mike Pastore and Ron Marcus thought it a good idea to check our archives for baseball in Stamford. Mike found a few photos, and the library (Ron) produced a huge collection of Annual Sports Dinner & Awards Night brochures of the Old Timers' Athletic Association of Stamford to choose from. Of course, the Athletic Association represents several sports besides baseball, such as football, boxing, golf, etc., so stay tuned for sequels.

From the Photo Archives

Lost Streets of Stamford, a New Exhibit at the Society

Our new exhibit, LOST STREETS OF STAMFORD, illustrates a number of streets that were eliminated as part of the Urban Redevelopment of Stamford.

Willow Street View

The first thought of redeveloping the downtown occurred shortly after the passage of Federal Urban Renewal legislation in 1949.  The first concept model of a new downtown may have been that designed by 20 year old John Smith in 1952 while he was working as an assistant draftsman for the Planning Board.  Discussion of the renewal of the downtown area began in earnest sometime around 1956-7 when Louis Greenbaum first initiated serious consideration of the idea.  However, the City was already involved in the East Meadows Project on Jefferson St. and Federal monies were not available until that project was concluded.  The Eisenhower administration also cut federal funds for renewal in the late 50s.

Fifth Annual Estelle Feinstein Lecture at UCONN-Stamford, Wednesday, April 16

6-7:30 P.M.
Main Auditorium (Room A-1).

The lecture is free and open to everyone, students, faculty, staff, and members of the community.

Dr. Estelle Feinstein was a beloved teacher, mentor, scholar, colleague, and friend at the University of Connecticut, Stamford Campus from 1957-1989.  To celebrate her life, the Fifth Annual Estelle Feinstein Memorial Lecture will be presented by Joel Blatt at UCONN Stamford.

Professor Blatt's topic will be, "Non Mollare (Don't Give In): The Assassination of Carlo and Nello Rosselli." The lecture will be followed by a question and answer period.

A Weekend of Urban Renewal Education II:Lost Streets of StamfordExhibit Opening at the Society, Sunday, April 13

Second of two events in connection with the photo collection of the URC about the urban redevelopment in Stamford in the 1960s:

Lost Streets of Stamford

On Sunday, April 13, 2008, the Stamford Historical Society will open a new exhibit of photographs which depict many of the streetscapes and structures of downtown Stamford prior to Urban Renewal.  “Lost Streets of Stamford” features Urban Renewal Commission history from 1959 – 1968. 

2:00 – 4:00 PM
The Stamford Historical Society
1508 High Ridge Road

There will be a brief lecture by Dr. Thomas Zoubek, Executive Director of The Stamford Historical Society, about the exhibit and period of urban change in 1960s Stamford.  Refreshments will be served.

Parking is free for visitors to the Historical Society.

A Weekend of Urban Renewal Education I:'Change', Event at UConn, Saturday, April 12

First of two events in connection with the photo collection of the URC about the urban redevelopment in Stamford in the 1960s:

20/20 Hindsight.
Change: Urban Renewal in Stamford, Connecticut 1955- 1980

On Saturday, April 12, 2008, the Historic Neighborhood Preservation Program, Inc., invites you to attend a photo presentation, “Change: Urban Renewal in Stamford, Connecticut 1955- 1980,” followed by a panel discussion about the subject. 

Panelists include Renée Kahn, Founder and Director of the Historic Neighborhood Preservation Program, Robert N. Rich, Chairman of F.D. Rich Company, and Lester Sharlach, a founder of the Stamford Jewish Historical Society and a former downtown merchant.

2:00 – 5:00 PM
University of Connecticut Stamford Campus
Gen Re Auditorium
One University Place (corner of Washington Boulevard and Broad Street).

Free parking is available at the UConn garage on Washington Boulevard.