Stamford History Real Time

Welcome!

This blog keeps readers up-to-date about what's happening at The Stamford Historical Society.  The society is committed to putting  information about  its function and Stamford's history into cyberspace, both through its website and here.

Readers' comments on blog posts are welcome!  Comments are moderated to weed out spammers.

HISTORY CENTER OF STAMFORD
preserving the past / defining the present / connecting with the future

VOLUNTEER MATTERS — VOLUNTEERS MATTER!
The society is largely a volunteer powered organization and always in need of volunteers.    

CALENDAR OF EVENTS, FALL 2011

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Blog authors:  Stamford Historical Society, Suzann Emmens.

volunteer coordinator for the historical society sought

After many years of volunteering her time as Volunteer Coordinator at the Stamford Historical Society, Jane Flounders has called it quits and moved on to another project within the society.  In the meantime, the job is administered by society Chairman of the Board Pam Coleman on an interim basis.

Update: To avoid any misunderstandings: this is a volunteer position, not a paid job.

Volunteers are the lifeblood of the society which has only two paid employees:

• Volunteers do research and data entry work in the Marcus Research Library.
• Volunteers manage the photo collection, including data entry work.
• Volunteers work in the textile collection.
• Volunteers manage the website and the blog.
• Volunteers make digital records of our exhibits.
• Volunteers staff the thrift shop.
• Volunteers are docents for our exhibits.
• Volunteers are docents at the Hoyt Barnum House. We are urgently looking for Docents!
• Volunteers work with staff on educational programs for students.
• Volunteers provide hospitality at our events.
• Some volunteers stuff envelopes and others answer phones.

But volunteers need to be recruited and looked after.

Jane has kindly written a detailed job description.  To begin with, the position requires full knowledge of the society’s and of the volunteers' needs.  A lot of the work can be accomplished from home, but visits to society headquarters are important as the coordinator establishes rapport with staff, chairs of committees, and last but not least with the volunteers, to make sure they are enjoying their work and to answer any questions they may have.

Proper training will be provided.  Interested parties may call the society at 203-329-1183 or e-mail Pam Coleman.

Jane, over the years, has done an outstanding job and we all are very grateful to her.  In 2007 she received the Virginia T. Davis, Stamford Historical Society Distinguished Service Award for her labors.  She has been Chairman of the Board of Directors, and works or has worked as education docent, co-chair of our Victorian Teas, and chair of the Lord & Taylors Benefit Bash.

From Plates, Puddings and Pies to Plants (Gardening in North Stamford 1916)

Here is more:

From Plates, Puddings and Pies to Plants (Gardening in North Stamford 1916)

Fred McDermant

Newsletter Stamford Pioneer, Fall 2009 Edition

The Fall 2009 edition of our newsletter, Stamford Pioneer, is available online now.

The Look of Stamford a Century Ago
East Main Street from Atlantic Square, 1909

Download Stamford Pioneer, Fall 2009 (PDF)

Learn about the 100th Anniversary of Society’s Incorporation, related celebrations, and a new exhibit.  Read "How I Spent My Summer Vacation," discover the result of the "Cozy Sundays" survey, and more.

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.

Frank Zurzola receives 2008 Virginia T. Davis Award

At the Society's Annual Meeting on June 9, 2008, Frank Zurzola received the this year's Virginia   T. Davis, Stamford Historical Society, Distinguished Service Award for outstanding volunteer.

Frank has volunteered at the Stamford Historical Society’s exhibit, Immigrant’s Stamford: Along Old Pacific Street.  Part of the programming for this show included conducting school groups through it, which he thoroughly enjoyed.  Even now he is still regarded as “the foremost chronicler of that cosmopolitan neighborhood, precursor of today’s multicultural Stamford.”  Sadly, Frank says, Urban Renewal tooks its toll, and today his old neighborhood lies buried underneath the Stamford Town Center.

Call for docents for our Hoyt Barnum Colonial Life Program – including anyone with Weaving and Spinning expertise

The Society presents a Colonial Life program for second grade students at the Hoyt Barnum House.

Given in the fall and spring for more than 500 students a year, it is popular with both teachers and students. Many parent chaperones have never been to the House and often come back with their families for a private tour.  All in all, this program has helped the Society meet its educational mission.

Currently we give the program in three parts, starting with an overview of the House's history, the family, and what life was like for children living back then.  A second part deals with the interior, including the hearth and sleeping quarters, and family life.  The third part is a visit to the blacksmith, represented by docent Jim Freebairn.  Virtual tour.

Jane Flounders receives The Stamford Historical Society’s Annual Distinguished Service Award

Jane Flounders has received The Stamford Historical Society’s 2007 Virginia T. Davis Award for outstanding volunteer service.  The award was presented during the society’s annual meeting on June 25 by Ron Marcus.

A Wheaton College alumna and past Photo Researcher/Assistant Editor at American Heritage Publishing Company, Jane, a long-time resident of Stamford, is currently the Volunteer Coordinator and serves as an education docent.  Other recent involvements have been Chairman of the Board of Directors through the 2005/2006 session, co-chair of our Victorian Teas, and chair of the Lord & Taylors Benefit Bash.  Read more.

Please join us in congratulating Jane!

Volunteering at the Stamford Historical Society

Volunteer Coordinator Jane Flounders has this to say:

The Stamford Historical Society is largely a volunteer powered operation.   We are always in need of volunteers for jobs as far ranging as education docents, Photo Collection and Library researchers, museum trip coordinators and receptionists.

Researchers, whether in the Photo Collection or the Marcus Research Library, work on requests from the public, data entry, as well as researching materials for upcoming exhibits.   There are many individual research projects that can be taken on by volunteers.  For those who feel comfortable with the computer we have many projects in the works that can always use more volunteers. 

We are currently in the process of cataloging our Research Library's books on the computer – a project done in connection with the Ferguson Library and especially in need of  volunteers.  When completed, this database will be part of the Ferguson Library's online Catalog Search feature.