'Turnback Tuesday' features history of milk bottle caps

Turnback Tuesday explores the world of Milk Caps. The first patented milk bottle was in 1878. It was a glass jar with a tin lid.

In 1889, a seated cap bottle was patented. Called the “Common Sense Milk Bottle,” it had a ledge built inside the mouth which held a fiber disc used for closure. This fiber disc was created in 1892. These early discs needed a metal pick to remove them from the bottle.

In 1908, H. Bradley of Kings County, N.Y., designed the two layer cap with a flexible thumb tab from the top layer to make removal less difficult.

These caps were used to seal the glass bottle to ensure freshness of the milk. The caps were also a form of advertising with varied colors and designs. Children made games and played with these caps.

Milk caps are still collected and sought after today. Many of the dairies are not in existence anymore, so these caps are a glimpse into our past.

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

'Turnback Tuesday' features 'Salt Box House' author's words

Turnback Tuesday takes another look at the Salt Box House (photo taken circa 1900.)

This is how author Jane de Forest saw the home that was the inspiration for her book, Salt Box House:

“The old house looks as if it had stood in the path of a tornado. But it only yielded to the pressure of the hand of time weighted with the vagaries of New England’s climate.

"Set on CT's hills with her extremes of heat and cold to try their temper; and the old house, though firm in its foundation and staunch in its up-rearing, after bearing itself bravely for one hundred and thirty years, fell, as an old man falls by the wayside – when the knees give way and the head drops forward – all of a heap!”

*Below is the link to last Tuesday's post about The Salt Box House:

https://www.blogger.com/blog/post/edit/2017319057088263722/3445645468062233676

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

St. Paul's Episcopal Church in Huntington to hold Advent Wreath Making event

St. Paul's Episcopal Church on the Huntington Green is located at 25 Church St., Shelton.

19th century photo features 4 Shelton residents

Sharing with permission from The Valley Post:

"This old picture was found in Shelton City Hall, between the rafters, and hidden for reasons unknown. There was no information on this picture of the 'Whiskered Foursome' until the Suburban News published it and asked if someone had a clue to their identity.

"Mrs. Harry B. Brownson of Shelton replied and identified them as follows:

"Back row (L to R) Byron Brownson, Stephen Palmer, front row (L to R) David Clark and Eliekien Walker. 
"Also according to Mrs. Brownson, these gentlemen were the founders of the Old Huntington Fair Grounds."


Many thanks to The Valley Post Facebook page for allowing me to post this historical photo. It certainly is an interesting one! 

Sharing 19th-century etching of Housatonic River

Artwork featured on the Derby Public Library Facebook page

This week's "Turnback Tuesday" features an etching of Birmingham circa 1848. It was done by N. Curtiss and was drawn from the perspective of the Huntington side of the Housatonic River. The steeples of the various churches of Birmingham can plainly be seen.