Stamford History Real Time

A look back: Pride and Patriotism: Stamford’s Role in World War II

Earlier in the week was Pearl Harbor Day, and it so happens that this writer worked on the web pages of our 2006 WWII exhibit, preparatory to migrating them to our upcoming brand-new website.

Pride and Patriotism: Stamford’s Role in World War II  tells the story of Stamford’s experience during World War II through the lives of individuals who participated abroad as well as in the war effort at home. The individual experiences give exhibit viewers a more personal, intimate experience and appreciation of how the war affected people’s lives directly.

The exhibit includes exclusive, first-person accounts from veterans who are Stamford residents. There are representatives from all branches of the services as well as women’s divisions: the WACS and the WAVES. Stamford veterans were found in all the theaters of the war. In addition, the exhibit uses loaned weapons, uniforms, photographs, and artifacts to tell veterans’ stories. Loaned or society-owned items and objects trace the central role that local companies played in war efforts and reflect daily home-front life. A poster gallery, drawn from the Society’s World War II-era collection, offered visitors a snapshot of the U.S. Government’s efforts to attract and encourage public support for the money, material resources, labor, and day-to-day sacrifices needed for a successful war effort.

It's not too late to sign up for our Victorian Tea, Sunday, November 8

The Stamford Historical Society
Invites you to attend
The Sixth Annual Victorian Tea
Sunday, November 8, 2009, 2:30—5 PM

100 Years in the Making: Highlights from the Society's Collections

In celebration of the 100th Anniversary of its Incorporation, the Society has put together a beautiful exhibit which presents the best of the best from our collections.  Curated by Executive Director Dr. Thomas A. Zoubek, the exhibit displays samples of the treasures accumulated over the past century.

Dr. Zoubek and Librarian Ronald Marcus will give gallery talks, leading us through the "rooms" set up in both the Red and Halliday galleries.

The talks begins at 3 PM, followed by our traditional tea and raffle for tea baskets.

For reservations call (203) 329-1183
Admission: $15
Please make your check payable to The Stamford Historical Society and send it to the Society at 1508 High Ridge Road, Stamford, CT 06903.

100th Birthday Party – help us spread the word

A flyer to distribute:
Download the 100th Birthday Party Flyer

The Stamford Historical Society celebrates 100 Years! A Family Event! Sunday, October 25

Bring the entire family to our 100th birthday celebration
Sunday, October 25
12 – 4 PM
Society Headquarters
1508 High Ridge Rd.

Music, magic, games, and crafts.

Admission $10
ages 4-12 $5
under 4 free
Ice cream, cake, drinks and goodies included.

EXHIBIT OPENING
100 Years in the Making: Highlights from the Society's Collections

Portrait Exhibit – Best Face Forward Member's Opening Reception Sunday, April 26, 2:30 PM

BEST FACE FORWARD
exhibits portraits from the Stamford Historical Society’s collection.

Dating from the 1830s to the present, they serve as a historic canvas of the development of Stamford.  Included are portraits of Mayor Julius Wilensky and Civil War hero Captain Marcus Waterbury. Portraitists include Thomas Edgar Stephens, painter of Presidents Truman and Eisenhower, and Stamford’s own Dr. Jacob Nemoitin.

Download PORTRAITS FROM THE  SOCIETY’S COLLECTION

OPENING RECEPTION FOR MEMBERS ONLY
SUNDAY, APRIL 26
Reception 2:30 to 4:00 PM
Gallery talk by Executive Director Dr. Thomas Zoubek

Open to the general public
Tuesday, April 28 through September.
Tuesdays through Saturdays, Noon to 4PM
non-members $5
members and seniors $3
under 12 years free
203-329-1183
Directions



www.stamfordhistory.org

Portrait Exhibit Opening in April: 'Best Face Forward'

BEST FACE FORWARD
Portraits from the Society’s Collections

will open with a Members' Reception on Sunday, April 26 at 2:30 PM.



The exhibit will be open to the general public beginning Tuesday, April 28.

Wine Tasting and Hors d’Oeuvres
Thursday, May 14, 6:00 PM

Courtesy of Country Wine and Spirits

Meet other Society supporters while sampling food and drink.
Exhibit will be open.
Raffle includes a chance to win a home theater system.
Look for your invitation in the mail.

Press Release: Stamford Historical Society Plans Urban Exhibit and Fund Raising Gala

Stamford Historical Society Plans Urban Exhibit and Fund Raising Gala

Download Press Release.pdf

Download Invitation.pdf

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.

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.

Exhibit Opening Sunday, September 16: Digging up Stamford

OPENING, SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 16, 2:00 PM

Digging up Stamford
An Archaeological History of Stamford, Connecticut

Festivities will commence with a talk given by Guest Curator Ernest Wiegand of Norwalk  Community College, who is the resident expert on the Native American periods of the region.  He will   present a discussion of many of the sites featured in the exhibit. The exhibit will remain open until 4:30 that afternoon.

The exhibit features material recovered from archaeological sites excavated within the bounds of Stamford, with both prehistoric and historic components.  The goal of the exhibit is to show how much can be learned of the past through items of material culture or artifacts (any item made or used by humans) in conjunction with the study of written materials where they are available.  In many cases no historic materials are available and the past must be reconstructed solely through archaeological evidence.