SMALL BEGINNINGS
THE NAUGATUCK HISTORICAL SOCIETY

By Sandra Clark

On November 4th, 2003 the Naugatuck Historical Society observed its 44th anniversary. It was on this day in 1959 that Mrs. Norman (Ida Davis) Wood called an open meeting of people interested in preserving Naugatuck History. The group met at the Naugatuck Savings Bank next to the Library and formed the Naugatuck Historical Society. Dana Blackwell was appointed the organizing president.

40 people attended the initial meeting. Mrs. Wood was the program chair and spoke enthusiastically on the need for an historical society in Naugatuck. Guest speakers were Randolph Mason Pies of the Woodbury Historical Society and Sumner Hall of Wallingford, who was associated with the Connecticut League of Historical Societies. On December 12, 1959, at the second meeting of the Society, the following officers were elected - President, Dana Blackwell; Vice President, Mrs. Norman Wood; Secretary, Thomas Stack; Treasurer, Fremont Hoadley. The Board of Directors were - Earl Barnum, Conrad Ham, Stephen Sturdevant, Joseph C. Raytkwich, Charles Clark, Seabury S. Hungerford, Helen Maroney, and Harris Whittemore, Jr.

The Society unanimously accepted the club’s constitution and by-laws on February 2, 1960. Any one joining in this year would be considered a charter member. Dues were set at three dollars.

Through the efforts of the Naugatuck Historical Society, on Memorial Day 1960, the newly restored plaque on the Whittemore Bridge was installed and the bridge rededicated. The flood waters of 1955 tore down this commemorative plaque.

During the first five years following its inception the NHS collected a wealth of items relating to early Naugatuck History and had them on display at the Naugatuck Savings Bank. The principle goal of the Society was to locate a building of its own for a museum. This would finally happen in the fall of 2001 with the museum opening in the former railroad station building.

In a joint venture with the Rotary Club, the Society sponsored the erection of the Town Hall sign saved when the old Town Hall was taken down. It was placed on the front of the newly constructed Town Hall.

Many activities in the first 20 years were devoted to the preservation of Naugatuck history. The Directors proposed to the State Highway Commission that the name Salem Bridge be given to the new bridge crossing the Naugatuck River at Rtes 8 and 63. A plaque was to be place on it when it was dedicated in June 1964.

During the 1970’s the Society sponsored the publishing of William G. Leuchars book, “Naugatuck Stories and Legends”, It donated $500 to the Grove Cemetery association for the restoration of desecrated graves; and also held a contest at Naugatuck High School for a logo for the society.

On December 12, 1973 some 15 years after its inception Russell Sumpf wrote in his column, “Some Stuff” that the NHS would be moving its exhibit from the Naugatuck Savings Bank. Finding a new home for the exhibits would prove to be no easy job. The Society approached the Howard Whittemore Memorial Library but the trustees decided they did not want an exhibit there. Contractor Ed Smith offered the use of part of a building on Porter Avenue for the museum display at a very nominal rental. However renovations were needed to make it available for displays. Unfortunately the Society did not have the money needed. Where were they to go? What next?

Source - Naugatuck Historical Society Newsletter, May-June 2004 issue