'Turnback Tuesday' remembers Derby's Tercentennial celebration

Turnback Tuesday is remembering the 300th Celebration 1675-1975 of Derby with this beautiful Tercentennial Commemorative Coin.

The image on the coin depicts Derby native Commodore Isaac Hull, who lived from 1773 to 1843. A U.S. Naval Officer, he was the commander of the USS Constitution during the War of 1812.

The ship was referred to as Old Ironsides due to the fact when another ship fired upon it the cannon balls seemed to bounce off as if the ship were made of metal.

The coin was one of the many items created for Derby’s 300th celebration. This coin is still in its original packaging.

There are three of these coins on display at the Derby Public Library that were retrieved from the 1975 Time Capsule along with other items.

This coin is a recent donation to the library in honor of Valerie Wasilewski.

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

From the 'Turnback Tuesday' archives: 'Old Ironsides'

'Turnback Tuesday' looks at commemorative stamps issued in 2012 of the victorious USS Constitution led by Derby native Commodore Issac Hull in the War of 1812. This important naval victory marked a turning point in the war. 

The ship was made of live oak, red cedar, hard pine and a copper sheath. It carried 44 cannons, with three masts holding 72 sails and carried a crew of 450. The ship was dubbed “Old Ironsides”. 

This ship can be visited at the Boston National Historical Park in Massachusetts.

[First posted on this date in 2018.]

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

From the 'Turnback Tuesday' archives: History of Derby house

This week's "Turnback Tuesday" features a photo of the Bennett home. It was built in 1721 by one Y. Perry. Perry sold the house in 1736 to Harthow Bennett, father of Deacon Daniel Bennett. 

In 1781, Deacon Bennett served breakfast to Due de Lauzun and a crew of his French officers after the troop of 600 soldiers spent the night on Sentinel Hill. 

Daniel Bennett was also the grandfather of Commodore Isaac Hull. The house was destroyed in 1890.

[First posted on this date in 2017.]

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

From the 'Turnback Tuesday' archives: Commodore Isaac Hull's house

This week's "Turnback Tuesday" photo features Commodore Isaac Hull's house.

Hull was a Commodore in the United States Navy, and commanded several famous U.S. naval ships, including the USS Constitution. His uncle, William Hull, was a veteran of the American Revolutionary War and adopted Isaac when he was a young boy after his father had died.

The U.S. Navy has named five ships in honor of Isaac Hull, including the USS Commodore Hull, the USS Hull (DD-7), the USS Hull (DD-330), the USS Hull (DD-350) and the USS Hull (DD-945).

In addition, the portion of Route 8 that spans the Housatonic River between Derby and Shelton is named the Commodore Isaac Hull Memorial Bridge in his honor.

[First posted on this date in 2016.]

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

From the 'Turnback Tuesday' archives: 'Old Ironsides' stamps

Turnback Tuesday looks at the commemorative stamps issued in 2012 of the victorious USS Constitution led by Derby native Commodore Issac Hull in the War of 1812.

This important naval victory marked a turning point in the war. The ship was made of live oak, red cedar, hard pine, and a copper sheath. It carried 44 cannons, with three masts holding 72 sails and carried a crew of 450. The ship was dubbed “Old Ironsides”.

This ship can be visited at the Boston National Historical Park in Massachusetts.

[First posted on this date in 2018.]

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

'Turnback Tuesday' from this date in 2018 highlights Derby native Isaac Hull

Turnback Tuesday looks at the commemorative stamps issued in 2012 of the victorious USS Constitution led by Derby native Commodore Issac Hull in the War of 1812.

This important naval victory marked a turning point in the war.

The ship was made of live oak, red cedar, hard pine, and a copper sheath. It carried 44 cannons, with three masts holding 72 sails and carried a crew of 450. The ship was dubbed “Old Ironsides”.

This ship can be visited at the Boston National Historical Park in Massachusetts.

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

'Turnback Tuesday' features Commodore Hull House in Derby

Commodore Isaac Hull House in Derby

Turnback Tuesday looks back at the home of one of Derby’s heroes, Commodore Isaac Hull, Captain of the U.S.S. Constitution in the War of 1812.

Hull was born March 9, 1773 in Derby when the family lived on Commerce Street. The image of their house - a symmetrical, colonial home with an attached summer kitchen - is from the book of “Isaac Hull, His Life and Times."

It featured a center door, center chimney with equal number of windows on either side.

Sadly, the house was razed in the early 1960s, but fortunately for the Derby Public Library through a recent donation we have an original cast iron nail from the house just before it was razed.

Thank you to the Berman family for their recent donation.

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

'Turnback Tuesday' highlights Deacon Bennett's ca. 1721 home in Shelton

Turnback Tuesday looks across the river into Shelton today.

This photo is of Deacon Daniel Bennett’s home. Located on the corner of Avenue B (Howe Ave) and Division St (Turnpike).

The house was built circa 1721.

According to the “History of Derby,” Bennett served Gen. Marquis de Lafayette and his officers breakfast during the Revolutionary War.

Gen. Lafayette helped the colonists against the British. He volunteered time and money and with his tactical experience helped win the war.

Deacon and Mrs. Daniel Bennett were the maternal grandparents of Commodore Isaac Hull, a Derby native who was Commander of the USS Constitution in the War of 1812.

Thank you to the Shelton Historical Society and Joe DiRienzo for their assistance.

Map photo courtesy of Mr. DiRienzo.

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

'Turnback Tuesday' features Tricentennial of Connecticut in 1935

 

Turnback Tuesday takes a look at the Tricentennial of Connecticut in 1935. 

This medal, with an image of Commodore Isaac Hull, was commemorated by the Derby Historical Society. 

The Tricentennial was celebrated by towns all over Connecticut. The festivities lasted six months. There were exhibits, pageants, a choral concert at Yale Bowl, a costume ball, and one of the largest parades the state has ever seen: 20,000 marchers, 100+ floats, and 30 bands.

Thanks as always to the Derby Public Library staff for sharing interesting local history each week!

'Turnback Tuesday' features USS Constitution model from Derby Public Library

Turnback Tuesday shows off a model of the USS Constitution from the [Derby Public] Library’s collection. The Constitution - more readily known as “Old Ironsides” - was instrumental in helping [Derby native] Commodore Isaac Hull win the War of 1812. The ship is still used today by the U.S. Navy and is docked in Boston Harbor.
Fun fact: 10 percent of the ship is still made of its original material. The model, meanwhile, was donated to the Library in 2009.


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

'Turnback Tuesday' (on Wednesday) features USS Constitution commander

Turnback Tuesday introduces Commander Tyrone Gabriel Martin of the USS Constitution from August 1974 to June 1978. 
Martin was a guest at Derby’s 300th Celebration in 1975. 
He was invited by the Tercentenary Celebration Committee a month before the festivities when they visited him on the USS Constitution docked in Boston. 
Martin, born in Greenwich, was the 58th commanding officer of the Constitution. Our own native hero Commodore Isaac Hull was in command of the ship "Old Ironsides" during the War of 1812.


Thanks to the staff at Derby Public Library for sharing interesting local history each week!  

'Turnback Tuesday' (on Thursday) features Hull theater in Derby

DERBY - Turnback Tuesday shows the Commodore Hull Theater at 67 Elizabeth St. The theater, dedicated on May 4, 1927, was the premier theater in Derby and named in memory of Commodore Isaac Hull. Unfortunately it closed its doors on Nov. 23, 1959. The building is still there as a commercial building with indoor parking.

*I got distracted Tuesday and missed sharing this local history.

Thanks as always to the Derby Public Library staff for sharing this interesting photo and information.

Talk at Shelton Historical Society to highlight Hull family, War of 1812

SHELTON - Carolyn Ivanoff will present Fame and Infamy for the Hulls of Derby and Shelton in 1812, at 2 p.m. Jan. 27 at the annual meeting of the Shelton Historical Society.
The meeting will be held at Huntington Congregational Church Fellowship Hall, 19 Church St. 
Ivanoff is a Shelton High School educator 
and independent historian committed to bringing history, social studies, and literacy programs beyond the classroom and into the community.   

The program will celebrate Shelton’s hometown hero, Commodore Isaac Hull, and his role in the War of 1812.  
Some historians have billed it the second war for American independence, but hindsight makes a declaration of war by a fledgling nation against the superpower of the day seem like insanity.  
Two men from the Hull Family of Derby and 

Shelton (then Huntington) fought for their nation that summer.  
Uncle William’s infamous defeat would bring him national scorn and nephew Isaac’s extraordinary and astonishing naval victory would bring him a national fame.  

Travel back to that summer of 1812 and the events of the nation’s most unpopular war and the heroic feats of Shelton’s greatest hero.

 

There will be a brief business meeting prior to the presentation. 
The event is free and open to the public; donations are welcome. Refreshments will be served.  

In case of inclement weather, refer to the Shelton History Center’s Facebook page. 

About the Society

The Shelton Historical Society owns Shelton History Center, a museum complex of six historic buildings located just north of the Huntington Green, and strives to provide 

programs of historical interest to the community.   
The Brownson House displays the 1913 lifestyle of a middle-class farm family while the Wilson Barn exhibits the 300 year history of Shelton.  There is a one-room school and a carriage barn containing horse-drawn vehicles as well.  Shelton Historical Society maintains its collections, which includes newspaper clippings, business ledgers, personal diaries and letters, scrapbooks, and material culture artifacts at Shelton History Center.  

  

For more information, call 203-925-1803.


This is a press release from the Shelton Historical Society. 

Registration opens for Commodore Hull 5K race in Shelton, Derby

A Thanksgiving Day tradition since 2002

Registration is now open for the 2018 Commodore Hull Thanksgiving Day 5K Road Race.

The registered runners have been increased from 750 to 800 this year, and online registration will close as soon as that limit is reached. There will be no registrations taken on race day.
Registration fees have been kept at their same low $25 level again this year. Grammar and high school runners receive a discount and register for $10. Our 70+ runners get an even better deal - they register free of charge.

Registration fees for all runners goes up to $30 on Nov. 20. 

Divisions are (male and female): 18-19, 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, and 60-69. Special Divisions: Grammar School, High School, Holstein (male - 200 lb. minimum, female – 160 lb. minimum), and 70 and over.

There are no race refunds once you have registered; however, should something change and you can’t run, you can transfer your registration to another runner for a $5 fee.

Disposable Bib Chip Technology will once again be provided by Fast Track Timing, LLC, and race results will be available almost instantaneously through their phone app.
Awards will be presented to the first-place male and female runners overall, and the top three male and female finishers in each division. Special awards will go to the top three male and female runners in the High School Division.
Race packet pickup will be held at the Boys & Girls Club at One Positive Place, Shelton on Nov. 18 and 21. 

Runners are strongly encouraged to pick their packets up on these days. Goody bags are guaranteed to the first 500 runners to pick their race bibs up.

Greco & Haines, flagship sponsor since 2002, will once again be providing a quality race shirt to all the runners.

Diane Stroman has been named honorary starter at this year’s race.
Shaye Roscoe, Executive Director of the Boys & Girls Club of the Lower Naugatuck Valley, said, “We are thrilled that Diane has been selected as our honorary starter. Diane is a dedicated and active member of our community whose compassion and advocacy has positively impacted countless lives throughout the years.”
Diane has served our community for more than 35 years and retired this year from her position as Vice President of TEAM Inc. She is deeply passionate and very knowledgeable about the community’s needs. Diane lives in Ansonia where she grew up and has two children and two grandsons.
“When I look over the list of past honorary starters, I am humbled to have been asked,” Diane said. “It is a great honor to be selected. This race is a testimony of how the Valley and surrounding towns can come together in support of one another. I look forward to seeing the runners, friends, and families at the starting line.”
Jimmy Tickey, chair of the race committee, said, "I am thrilled to serve as Chair of our Commodore Hull Thanksgiving Day Road Race in downtown Shelton. Every year, about 800 runners - with their friends and family cheering them on - join us on Thanksgiving morning for a special 5K road race. The morning is always filled with gratitude and our strong Valley spirit, and I am so pleased to be a part of this great Valley tradition."
To keep up to date about all race happenings, visit www.BGC-LNV.org/commodore-hull-5k and sign up for our newsletter, or contact Ann Wheeler at 203-924-7462, AnnWheeler@BGC-LNV.org.
The original race website is still active, and will remain available until all the information, dating back to the first race in 2002, is brought over.
You can find this treasure trove of race history at www.electronicvalley.org/derby/HullRace/index.htm.

For more information about the Boys & Girls Club of the Lower Naugatuck Valley, visit www.BGC-LNV.org.

This is a press release from the Club.

Turnback Tuesday features stamps about Derby native-led Old Ironsides

Turnback Tuesday looks at commemorative stamps issued in 2012 of the victorious USS Constitution led by Derby native Commodore Issac Hull in the War of 1812. 

This important naval victory marked a turning point in the war. The ship was made of live oak, red cedar, hard pine, and a copper sheath. It carried 44 cannons, with three masts holding 72 sails and carried a crew of 450. 
The ship was dubbed “Old Ironsides.” This ship can be visited at the Boston National Historical Park in Massachusetts.