From the 'Turnback Tuesday' archives: View of old Derby

This week's "Turnback Tuesday" photo features a unique and picturesque view looking down from where St. Michael's Church is now. You can see the First Congregational Church in the right foreground and across the Naugatuck River, the big white building is the former Sterling Piano Company.

The Derby Train Station is also shown while St. Mary's Church steeple is in the far right background. This picture was taken circa 1900.

[This was first published on Oct. 13, 2015.]

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

From the 'Turnback Tuesday' archives: Derby Avenue in Derby

This week's "Turnback Tuesday" is a photo of Derby Avenue taken sometime between 1887 and 1954.

Note: The first electric streetlight was installed on Derby Avenue in 1887, and the Gates Mansion was torn down (after Frank Gates passed away.) The Mansion is in the right foreground, behind which is the First Congregational Church.

In the left foreground is Dr. Pinney's home, which now houses St. Michael's Post Catholic War Veterans. The Post parking lot was once the location of the Hallock-Barry home.

This post first appeared on this date in 2016.

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

'Turnback Tuesday' features old image of East Derby

Turnback Tuesday gives us a great view of East Derby. 

This image was taken from the west side of the Naugatuck River looking east. It's an image of Derby Avenue which runs parallel to the Naugatuck River. 

The building marked with a red arrow is the First Congregational Church at 137 Derby Ave., built 1820-1821. 

To the right with the blue arrow is 126 Derby Ave., and the green arrow is 106 Derby Ave. Up on the hill marked with the yellow arrow is 125 Mt. Pleasant St., and the black arrow is a home on Highland Avenue (not sure of the number). All of these buildings still exist today. 

Note: The bridge that connects the two sides of Derby is further to the right and not in this image.

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

'Turnback Tuesday' highlights Academy Hill in Derby

Turnback Tuesday remembers Academy Hill, Derby or "The Commons."

In this area, the First Congregational Church was built in 1682 with Rev. John Bowers as the first minister.

Known as Squabble Hole, it was located in the area of Prindle Avenue, Ansonia, between Pulaski Highway, Ansonia, and Academy Hill. When David Humphreys brought Merino sheep to the area in 1802, the sheep were brought to Squabble Hole to rest before being sold to farmers. This image of the monument is located between Clark Street and Academy Hill.

Date unknown.

Thanks as always goes to the Derby Public Library for sharing interesting local history each week.

Recuperation journey: Looking at the sky

 A peaceful scene captured last week in Derby.

Lilacs in bloom beautify grounds of First Congregational Church in Derby

Ralph and I are members of the First Congregational Church in Derby. 
When our pastor mentioned in his weekly email that the Lilacs were blooming we had to go there Sunday to see for ourselves!
The beautiful French Lilac is Derby's official bush.

Here they are blooming along a retaining wall next to the parking lot.

In May, 2004 our congregation planted a lilac bush in loving memory of longtime member Christine Ralph.

This is the bush 16 years later.

*The text below is shared from a Derby history quiz posted on the Electronic Valley.

On Thursday, May 13, 2004 (Derby's 329th birthday!) the Board of Aldermen named the French Lilac the official bush of the City of Derby.  See the information below to find out why.

When warm weather arrives, with it comes an array of beautiful spring shrubs and flowers. One of the loveliest and most fragrant is the Lilac which blossoms in May.
The story of the Lilac bush in the United States is a first for Derby, in fact, it's a Connecticut first. Dr. John Durand, a French Huguenot physician came to Derby about 1680. He purchased a house on Academy Hill now known to Derbyites as Brownie Castle. The house was supposedly built by Samuel Bowers, the son of one of Derby's first ministers. It is one of the oldest houses in Derby.
Derby was sparsely settled with only a few families. It was mostly wilderness. 
Dr. Durand missed the fragrant Lilac shrubs that grew in France, and upon making a return voyage back to France, he returned with a large number of Lilac roots which he planted on the grounds around his home. Thus, the first French Lilac bushes appeared in the United States. 
All of Dr. Durand's descendants were said to have the loveliest Lilac bushes surrounding their homes.
Dr. Durand is buried in the Olde Uptown Burial Ground.
The Encyclopedia Americana says that the most common and widely cultivated of the Lilac bushes in the United States is the French Lilac.

This quiz contributed by Joan Driscoll

New England folklore expert to speak at Derby Historical Society meeting

DERBY - The Derby Historical Society Board of Directors invites the public to its annual meeting at 1 p.m. March 29 at First Congregational Church, 137 Derby Ave.
A brief business portion will be held to elect  officers and Board of Directors followed by an update on restoration of the Gen. David Humphreys House & Museum at 37 Elm St., Ansonia. 
The Humphreys House is the community's link to the American Revolution. Humphreys was aide-de-camp to Gen. George Washington. 
The House serves as home base for many public events and the award-winning A Day in 1762, a hands-on colonial history educational program for students in the Valley and surrounding towns. 

Guest speaker will be Dr. Stephen Gencarella, author of “Wicked Weird and Wily Yankees: A Celebration of New England's Eccentrics and Misfits,”as well as “Spooky Trails and Tall Tales Connecticut: Hiking the State's Legends, Hauntings, and History.” 

Gencarella is a professor at UMass Amherst and specializes in New England folklore. 

A reception with light refreshments will follow. 

Membership renewals will be accepted by mail, at the door, or via PayPal donation by visiting derbyhistorical.org. 

An application is attached for those who are unable to attend. We encourage you to renew your membership. 

Your financial support is greatly appreciated and very much needed to ensure we are able to continue in our mission of preserving the Valley’s history and culture.

Click here for a printable membership form: https://gallery.mailchimp.com/3a79ac2188170e3441f4525f1/files/9ecb28e7-1ec1-402b-ac12-2d7dbcb1e540/DHS_Member_App.pdf

Here's a link to Dr. Gencarella's site: https://thetalestheytell.com/

This is a press release from Daniel Bosques, executive director, Derby Historical Society.

Recuperation journey: Not the Valley, but nearby in downtown Milford

After dropping off my son at the Milford train station Easter evening I noticed the sunlight shining on First United Church of Christ  across from the Milford duck pond.
I took this from River Street on the other side of the pond.

First Congregational Church in Derby decorated for Christmas season

First Congregational Church in Derby

My husband Ralph and I love the simple beauty of our historic church, especially when the sanctuary is decorated for the Christmas season.

Seymour Congregational Church to host Snowflake Fair

Church in Derby shows us the reason for the season

The reason for the season is on display in the sanctuary of First Congregational Church in Derby where I am a member. Kudos to our friend Barbara for her wonderful decorating job.

The candles are lit on the Advent wreath telling the faithful the arrival of the Christ child is near.

Reminder: Derby Historical Society to meet Sunday

DERBY - The Derby Historical Society will hold its Annual Meeting at 2 p.m. Sunday at First Congregational Church, 137 Derby Ave. 
Snow date is March 22. 

It will begin with a brief business portion to elect new officers and members of the Board of Directors, and an awards presentation.   

Admission is free; donations are gratefully accepted.

There will be a presentation regarding the restoration project of the Gen. David Humphreys House and Museum, located at 37 Elm St., Ansonia.  
Albert Misiewicz, Jr., DHS Building Committee Chair and John Poole, DHS Project Manager will discuss the project and proposed plan of action along with Mason Lord of Hudson Valley Preservation.

Membership renewals will be accepted at the door. Anyone interested in becoming a member is welcome to attend this meeting.

Refreshments will be served. 
For information call 203-735-1908 or info@derbyhistorical.org.

This is a press release from the Derby Historical Society, a regional historical society dedicated to preserving, maintaining, and celebrating the rich and varied history of the Lower Naugatuck Valley. 
The Derby Historical Society welcomes all visitors and is also available to support researchers, school or other program needs.  
Staff offices are located at the Sarah Riggs Humphreys House, 37 Elm St., Ansonia. 

For more information, visit www.derbyhistorical.org