DERBY - Freshets, the sudden overflowing of a river caused by heavy rain or melting snow, devastated parts of the Lower Naugatuck Valley in years gone by.
On Wednesday I learned about the havoc they caused thanks to Derby Public Library Local History Coordinator Mary Bisaccia.
Her topic in January is Freshets and Their Impact on Derby History. Each month Bisaccia is available to talk about her research from 6-7:30 p.m. Tuesdays and 10 a.m.-noon Wednesdays. The library is at 313 Elizabeth St.
Bisaccia said freshets were commonplace before the construction of dams. In addition to heavy rains causing the Housatonic and Naugatuck rivers to overflow, Bisaccia said the rivers were affected by coastal tides.
Bisaccia shared information she found researching several Valley history books as well as a series of articles published in April of 1936 in the former Evening Sentinel newspaper.
The articles were written by C.Z. Morse and titled "Freshets of Earlier Days." They described the freshets that occurred in the late 19th century.
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| One of the photos on display at the library showing the aftermath of a freshet that occurred in the late 1800s. |
I had never heard of the freshets that played a major role in the history of this area, and I found the topic fascinating.
In February Bisaccia will talk about the life and times of Derby native Ebenezer Bassett, who became the first African-American diplomat. President Ulysses S. Grant appointed Bassett to be ambassador to Haiti in 1869.
