Tuesday, January 5, 2021

'Turnback Tuesday' features Bassett House, Sterling Opera House in Derby



Turnback Tuesday peeks at two very prominent buildings in Derby.

Pictured here is the Bassett House at the turn of the century.

The Bassett House was converted to a hotel in 1868. The gentleman in front holding his hat is Ira Ford Hoyt who stayed at the Bassett House from 1897 until a fire destroyed it in 1911.

According to the Derby Directories, Ira Ford and his father Ira Mortimer Hoyt conducted business in Derby by leasing the Sterling Opera House from 1897 to 1913, Ira M. being the Lessee and Ira F. being the manager. Both men were from South Norwalk.

The Hoyts were a prominent family with Ira M. having built the Hoyt Theatre which opened in 1892.

Thank you to Norwalk Public Library's Local History Room for their assistance.


Thanks goes to the Derby Public Library staff for sharing interesting local history each week!

Derby Historical Society cancels annual 'Twelfth Night' celebration

Received this message today from Daniel Bosques, executive director, Derby Historical Society.
The annual celebration was to be held from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Sunday at the David Humphreys House.



Derby Historical Society

The Derby Historical Society was founded on April 18, 1946 to serve the Naugatuck Valley towns of Ansonia, Derby, Oxford, Seymour, and Shelton. 

Daniel L. Bosques, Executive Director

Office and Museum Hours: 
Mon-Wed 9 am - 2 pm
Thurs-Fri 2:30 pm - 5 pm

Museum Open by Appointment

37 Elm Street
Ansonia, CT 06401
(203) 735-1908
(203) 701-9171
info@derbyhistorical.org
www.derbyhistorical.org  

12th Night is CANCELED.

While we want nothing more than to return to normal, the Derby Historical Society has decided to cancel this year's 12th Night of Christmas event.

Thank you for understanding that this decision was made in the interest of our health and yours.

Congrats to December Youth of the Month at Smilow Clubhouse in Ansonia


Preston is December Youth of the Month.


ANSONIA - The Youth of the Month honor is earned by one member each month in recognition of their strong leadership, good character, and commitment to service.
Congratulations to Preston, our Joel E. Smilow Clubhouse Youth of the Month for December of 2020.




*Note: I read this on the Ansonia Community Updates and Forum Facebook page and had to share. 
Congrats, Preston, on earning this recognition and best wishes in the future!