'Turnback Tuesday' highlights Murphy Ford of Ansonia

 

Turnback Tuesday visits Murphy Ford of Ansonia in 1975. The Derby 300th celebration needed transportation for the many activities planned, so Murphy Ford answered the call with a Ford Maverick.

The business started as Murph’s Garage in 1938 by John E. Murphy on Canal Street in Shelton. By 1941 the business moved to 286 Howe Ave., Shelton.

The name changed to Murphy Motors in 1948 and then the business moved to 266 Seymour Ave., Derby in 1951 where it remained until 1966. The final location was Main Street, Ansonia as Murphy Ford Sales Inc. This is where this image was taken at the dealership in Ansonia.

We believe the gentleman on the left was the President, John J. Murphy, son of the original owner. With John is Dave Condon and Frank Ogle, executive board members of the Derby Tercentennial committee.

For all you car buffs out there, we need your input. We think the vehicle is a 1974 Maverick. Let us know if we're right.

This image is a recent donation from the Wasilewski Family.

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

Bradley School community in Derby to open 1976 time capsule Wednesday

 

Derby Public Library displays archives from tercentenary time capsule

 

'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.

Derby Public Library to show documentary on city's tercentennial

 

'Turnback Tuesday': Brothers of the Brush remembered

Turnback Tuesday continues with the activities from Derby’s 300th celebration.

This one is about The Brothers of the Brush.

Mayor Eugene Micci made a proclamation that all men would refrain from appearing in places without facial hair from this day March 7, 1
975 until June 8, 1975.

The men of Derby signed a contract stating they would grow facial hair. In doing so, they received a certificate and button that they were members of the Brothers of the Brush. If you failed to abide by the contract you could/would be placed in the stocks and exposed to humiliation.

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

'Turnback Tuesday' features Derby Tercentennial time capsule

Valerie Wasilewski

Daniel Saccu

Turnback Tuesday visits Derby’s 300th celebration of June, 1975. These photos of the burial of the Tercentennial Time Capsule were taken on the last day of the celebration: Sunday June 8, 1975 at 10 a.m.

Valerie Wasilewski, who was on the Executive Board Publicity Division for the celebration, is pictured here with Daniel Saccu. They're adding all the letters contributed by Derby residents to the capsule.

The Valley Monument Works donated the stone placed over the capsule which reads “Derby Tercentennial Time Capsule Buried 1975 – Reopen 2025.”

Just imagine what stories or memories have been waiting to be retold.

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

'Turnback Tuesday' (on Wednesday) features librarian for Women's History Month

DERBY - In honor of Women’s History Month, Turnback Tuesday remembers Helen Ahern, former Head Librarian for the Derby Public Library for 21 years from '61-'82.

She started a Children’s Story Hour in '63, a tradition that continues today.

Helen also had her dream realized in February of 1974, with the opening of the all-new Children’s Room on the Lower Level of the Library. Books were very important to her family, so much so that our current Board President, Dorothy Gleason, is none other than Helen’s daughter.

The Ahern legacy continues as Dorothy brings her granddaughter to the Library on a regular basis. Helen is the third woman from the right in this photo, taken during the Derby Tercentennial in 1975.

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