Stamford History Real Time

"Cozy Sundays" Event Reminder, Sunday, May 16

You are cordially invited to sign up today for our next
"Cozy Sundays",  Sunday, May 16
What Was This Used For?
(Antique Kitchen Utensils and Household Tools)
with Executive Director, Dr. Thomas Zoubek
 
2:00 P.M. -- Informal "show and tell" presentation of some of
Tom Zoubek's favorite things from the Society's special collections
3:00 P.M. -- Informal social hour with light refreshments
EXHIBITION GALLERIES & THE DOWNSTAIRS SHOP WILL ALSO BE OPEN
___________________________________________________________________________
 
To make your reservation, kindly send your check by May 12 payable to
The Stamford Historical Society, 1508 High Ridge Road, Stamford, CT 06903
 
Members, $15.00, Non-members $20.00, Students (8-18) $5.00.    

Stamford's W.W.II Veterans Remembered, Jack Cavanaugh's review of 'An American Town Goes to War' by Tony Pavia

Stamford's W.W.II Veterans Remembered
By JACK CAVANAUGH
Published: February 25, 1996, the New York Times

THOUGH World War II had been over for almost two decades, Tony Pavia became fascinated with it and its effect on his hometown while growing up in Stamford in the 1960's. His father had served in the Pacific as a Chief Petty Officer in the Navy, and, although the elder Mr. Pavia seldom talked about it, most of his friends were also World War II veterans. Young Tony would occasionally hear them discuss the war among themselves.

read on

Tony Pavia will be honored on April 29 at a benefit dinner.

Useful links to Connecticut history and genealogy plus Library of Congress, Internet Archive, etc.

Still in the process of updating and redesigning our web pages before migrating them to our planned new site – we are getting there – here is a streamlined and updated list of local and regional cultural, historical, and library web links.

We've always had the Library of Congress link for our patrons' convenience, but now added the Internet Archive which has a lot of digitized books, audio, and moving images.

Update 1/29:

Ron Marcus reminded me of the Connecticut Ancestry Society, Inc.

Founded in 1954 as the Stamford Genealogical Society, it is the oldest genealogical society in Connecticut. It's original bulletin continues today as one of the best genealogical publications of its type in Connecticut. It publishes a large amount of Stamford related historical material in addition to other informative articles.

Connecticut Ancestry Webmaster Blog

Dick Roberts Receives Stamford Historical Society Award

At the society's annual meeting on June 8, 2009, Richard J. Roberts received the Virginia T. Davis, Stamford Historical Society Distinguished Service Award for his outstanding work on recording "lost" Stamford cemeteries.

In the past he has been featured on News 12, and written up in the news:

Richard Roberts tracks Stamford's lost graveyards (Stamford Times)
Uncovering mysteries (The Advocate)

On this blog:  Mapping Lost Graveyards in Stamford.

Read more about Dick Roberts.

  We still need volunteers for the scanning and electronic recording, as well as creating interactive maps.  Anyone interested should contact Volunteer Coordinator Jane Flounders or call the Society at 203-329-1183.

Lincoln Debate: Craig Symonds & Harold Holzer at the Historical Society, Saturday, June 13

Saturday, June 13, 7:30 PM.

Co-sponsored by the Civil War Round Table of Fairfield County and the Stamford Historical Society.

Download Flyer

Wine Tasting Event at Society Headquarters May 14, 2009

The Stamford Historical Society Invites You
To A Wine Tasting and Hors d’Oeuvres
Thursday, May 14, 6:00 to 8:00 PM

Courtesy of Country Wine and Spirits

Meet other Society supporters while sampling food and drink.
Non-alcoholic beverages will also be available.
View our exhibit "Best Face Forward."
 Tom Zoubek, Executive Director, will give gallery talks during the event.
Live music.
Raffle with many exciting prizes, including a chance to win a home theater system.
Dress is business attire.
For more information please call 203-329-1183.

There is still time to R.S.V.P.

March Whitman Bailey Selection: Reference Room at the Ferguson Library

The current renovations at the Ferguson Library's main building prompted this:

Interior of New Reference Room at Ferguson Library


Download complete newspaper clipping of March 19, 1932

This does look like a pleasant place, quiet and comfortable.  Today, of course, we have a main library – on what's called nowadays 1 Library Plaza; three branches, the Bookmobile, and besides reference desks plenty of computers which are always busy … and lots of online digital services of which this writer makes enthusiastic use.

What We Do When the Chips Are Down is What Defines Us – Stamford Winter of 1933

What I learned today by looking back to Stamford February 1933

February 1933 Stamford Ct. (76 years ago), my father was 9 years old. That's him in the picture I scanned today. He's  all the way on the left with his buddies at the bottom of Puritan Lane in Glenbrook. The winter of 1932/1933 was the worst part of the great depression. Yesterday while visiting my parents I asked my father what it was like, what he remembers about growing up in Stamford during this tough time.

[Picture: Sledding was popular, especially on Puritan Lane and Plymouth Rd. as they had little through traffic. With no TV kids sledded all day till 10 in the evening. Top Row From Left: ?, John Ohlin, ?, ? . Lower row from left: Howard Anderson, ?,  Bues, Earl Parmater, ?, ?. ]

Apparently my Grandfather, Emil N. Anderson, a house builder and immigrant from Sweden, was able to find work most of the time during the depression. But even he had a tough time during the winter of  '33. My father remembers my grandfather spending several months at home while only my Grandmother was able to find work outside the home. What did grandfather do during this toughest time in economic history? Did he sit around the house and wait for things to get better? 

Mark your Calendar: Lord & Taylor Benefit Bash, Thursday, November 13th

Shop all day at the 110 High Ridge Road Lord & Taylor store.

Ticket sales benefit The Stamford Historical Society. 

Tickets are available at the Society for $5/each.
Call 203-329-1183 or visit us at 1508 High Ridge Road Tuesday - Saturday, 12:00 Noon to 4:00 PM.

• The 20% off coupon is a one time purchase and excludes cosmetics & fragrances. 
• The 15% off is good for multiple purchases and INCLUDES cosmetics & fragrances.
• The signed admission card automatically enters the ticket buyer into the raffle drawing for either a $2,000 L&T wardrobe or a day at a spa.
• You can shop up to a week before and pick up your purchases on the Benefit Bash day (the 13th) or up to a week after the 13th.

2008 National History Day: Winners from Stamford Honored by The Stamford Historical Society

At the annual meeting of the Society on June 9, Dick Harper, Society board member and Regional Coordinator of National History Day, presented Stamford students who were 2008 History Day winners.

The History Day program encourages students in grades 6-8 (Junior Division) and 9-12 ( Senior Division) to create historic papers, exhibits, live presentations, or documentaries focused around a theme. Students present initially in the regional level, held in Stamford. The top three places then go to the Connecticut level. The top two from Connecticut in each category compete on the National level at the University of Maryland.

The theme in 2008 was Conflict and Compromise in History.