Naugatuck Valley Health District: 1 more COVID-19 associated death

Sharing a note from Jessica Stelmaszek, MPH,

Director of Health:

"Please find the latest update from NVHD Highlights:

• No new cases were reported today!
• 1 lab-confirmed COVID-19 associated death reported in Naugatuck.
• 1 probable COVID-19 death reported in Seymour."

'Turnback Tuesday' features Sterling Piano Co. advertising cards

Turnback Tuesday remembers the Sterling Piano Co. of Derby. 
These beautiful cards advertised the product at locations all over the country. 
Some advertising cards ran in series such as flowering trees, children with musical instruments, and birds. They were beautifully designed and because of their beauty many survive today. 
These cards were generously donated by Joseph DiRienzo, formerly of Derby. Joe has a passion for Derby’s history and has shared his knowledge with the Library on many occasions.


A big thank you goes to the Derby Public Library staff for sharing interesting local history each week!

Seymour Oxford Food Bank in community center offers meal bags for kids

Derby Historical Society seeks donations to fund Humphreys House preservation

 Humphreys House, 37 Elm St., Ansonia

ANSONIA - The Old Derby Historical Society has been in existence since 1899 and was reorganized in 1946. 

For almost 75 years the Derby Historical Society has been celebrating cultural diversity and promoting equality for all with exhibits that highlight the challenges and successes of the very populations that call the lower Naugatuck Valley home. 

From the Kosciuszko Polish-American Historical Society, Inc. of the Valley: Ansonia - Derby - Shelton - Seymour (Room dedicated to this at the Humphreys House), to celebrating Ebenezer Bassett who was our Nation's first African American and Native American ambassador, we strive to educate you about our local and national past.

Though we are preparing to resume activities at the David Humphreys House, harsh reality has set in: much of our funding from event campaigning and donations has been drastically reduced. 

Without being officially funded by any local municipality or a fiscal sponsor, our fundraising efforts fall directly on the Society.

Here is where we remain transparent and tell more of the story: The restoration of the Gen. David Humphreys House continues. We recently discovered that the attic floor joists had slipped from their pockets. The problem was fixed. Then, we learned that the middle section of the attic girt on the southern gable overhang was rotted. The rot was cut out, and the beam was spliced with an 8’ section donated to us by John Dickey, the Timberguy. 
Work on the rear and south sides of the Gen. David Humphreys House needs to be completed and funds need to be raised for a much-needed roof.

During this difficult spring, we continued to serve our Valley community. While closed, programming and membership continued to function, we created virtual tours, and we offered FREE digital classes to students, teachers, and parents.

Please consider making a monetary donation to help us continue with the very necessary work of preserving this museum house and staying in existence as the Valley's only regional historical society. 
We are facing the despairing reality that many small nonprofits are experiencing, and we need YOUR help to “Preserve Our Place in History.”

Please click here: https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_button_id=QD3ZM2KG43MTA&source=url
go to derbyhistorical.org and make a tax-deductible donation today by clicking on the PayPal Button.