People of Naugatuck
Harris Whittemore
On a trip to Europe in 1888, Harris Whittemore asked for Theodate Pope’s hand in marriage. She declined but they remained friends. Self-taught and one of the country’s first female architects, Theodate would design her parents’ home, Hill-Stead, in Farmington and The Westover School in Middlebury.
In 1914 Harris Whittemore asked Theodate to design the new Union City School (later renamed Hop Brook) for the children of foreign laborers in the Union City section of Naugatuck. The school was unique with its separate kindergarten cottage, fireplaces and a playful “ABC” motif that was repeated throughout the building. Hop Brook welcomed its first class on September 6th, 1916.
Rockwell Avenue
Harris Whittemore Memorial
After Mr. Whittemore’s death, the residents of Rockwell Ave. and Salem St. created a monument with a bronze tablet in honor of Mr. Whittemore for his efforts to beautify Naugatuck. The monument and the pin oak tree remind us of Mr. Whittemore’s generosity to his community.
In 1904 Charles Berger, who was active in the Eastern Malleable Iron Co., conceived a plan of development for the open area between Hillside Ave. and Salem St. Mr. Berger, intent on making a very attractive street, made sure that grass was planted between the road and the sidewalks. He had sugar maples planted along the sidewalks.
Harris Whittemore Sr. recommended that a beautiful pin oak tree be planted at the center triangle. After Mr. Whittemore died, the residents of Rockwell Avenue and Salem Street created a monument with a bronze tablet to honor his efforts to beautify Naugatuck.
Rockwell Avenue became known as a superior residential street.
A stone pestle, presumed to be Native American in origin. Donated by Harris Whittemore Jr., October 1964