Turnback Tuesday looks at the first building in Connecticut to be listed on the National Registry of Historic Places: the Sterling Opera House in Derby, a magnificent building with a big story to tell.
Opening in 1889, in its day the Sterling hosted many talented performers, entertainers and a national hero.
It was used for meetings, graduation ceremonies, and plays. Sadly this iconic building stopped its performances in 1933. Scheduled performances appeared with the last being Nov. 30 and Dec.1,1945 with the “Ye Old Time Minstrel” hosted by the Lafayette Men’s and Women’s Club to honor WWII soldiers returning home. The Opera House was opened for a special performance by Harry Braun the violinist in 1966. The Save Our Sterling nonprofit organization had a fundraising event with Gary Harger singing Ave Maria on Sept. 24, 1997.
When the cupolas were being installed on Feb. 11, 2011, Fran Scarpa did an impromptu song on stage to demonstrate the incredible acoustics.
Most recently, Harry Connick Jr. recorded his rendition of “Amazing Grace” on Feb.1, 2021.
This image is a thank you letter sent to Mayor Richard Dziekan, a recent donation to the Library historical collection.
Thank you to Joe DiRienzo and Jack Walsh for their assistance with this Turnback.
Thanks goes to the Derby Public Library staff for sharing interesting local history each week.
