'Turnback Tuesday' highlights fan advertising The Sterling Piano Co. in Derby

Turnback Tuesday is highlighting another advertising item. This week we are sharing a recent donation of a hand fan from The Sterling Piano Co. The fan advertises not only the Sterling Co. but also the music store that sells the products made by Sterling, in this case from York, Pa.

Sterling Co. was founded by Charles Sterling in 1866. Because of their excellent workmanship Sterling Pianos were so well built there are many still in existence and played today.

Fan donated by Robert Ahearn.

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

'Turnback Tuesday' features history of Sterling Opera House

Sterling Opera House on Elizabeth Street, Derby

Turnback Tuesday discovers the origin of the Sterling Opera House name.

The opera house, or “Borough Building” as it was referred to when being built from 1888-89, opened to the public on April 2, 1889 with a Grand Gala and a performance of “Drifting Apart.”

An article dated 1-25-1889 from the Evening Transcript said: “The courtroom is large and well-lighted as are all the offices; the fireman’s quarters cannot be excelled in the state. The opera portion is pronounced by experts to be most compact and the handsomest in New England. The cellar portion furnishes plenty of room for tramps and prisoners.”

Mr. Jean Jacques of Waterbury won the bid on leasing the Sterling Opera House at $2,000 per year for five years. Mr. Jacques stated in an article (above) on 3-26-1889 that he “considers it a happy hit to name the Sterling Opera House after one of the finest concerns in town and perhaps the most widely known throughout the country. Sterling instruments will be used.”

Charles Sterling was the founder of the Sterling Piano Co.

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

'Turnback Tuesday' highlights Sterling Organ Co. in Derby

Turnback Tuesday looks at the Sterling Organ Co. started by Charles Sterling in 1845 in Birmingham (now downtown Derby). 

The company added pianos to their line in 1860. Charles served as president until his death in 1887, and then Rufus W. Blake succeeded him. 

Sterling Piano was one of the largest factories in CT’s Lower Naugatuck Valley with a total of 16 buildings producing high quality pianos. 

This book was printed by the company in 1884 as an instruction book to learn to play the piano/organ. (A recent donation by the R. Ahern family.)

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