From the 'Turnback Tuesday' archives: Derby YMCA

 

This week's "Turnback Tuesday" photo features the Derby YMCA once located on Elizabeth Street.

The green building on the left with the green shutters is the Derby YMCA. It was located next to the Bassett House Hotel, which burned down in 1911, so that means the YMCA was also in Derby around that time.

Interestingly, it was in this building - previously home to Dr. Ambrose Beardsley - that Beardsley suggested naming "Ansonia" after Anson Phelps.

[First posted on this date in 2015.]

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

From the 'Turnback Tuesday' archives: Dr. Ambrose Beardsley featured

This week's "Turnback Tuesday" features Dr. Ambrose Beardsley. 

Dr. Beardsley was co-author of "The History of the Old Town of Derby, Connecticut, 1642-1880," which is more widely known as "The Orcutt History of Derby." 

He was born in Monroe on October 23, 1811 and graduated from the Medical College in Pittsfield, Mass. in 1834. He then moved to Birmingham (aka Downtown Derby) in 1835 to set up his practice. 

He actually played a pivotal role in the case of serial murderer Lydia Sherman. 

Sadly, Dr. Beardsley died in October of 1884 at the age of 73.

[First posted on this date in 2017]

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