Derby Public Library to host open house Oct. 8

 

'Turnback Tuesday' hunting for Derby-related memorabilia to preserve history

Painting of the "Leather Man" hangs in the History Room of the Library. It was donated by Mrs. Mary Knight Kennedy.

Turnback Tuesday is Hunting for History. Looking for something fun to do over the holidays? It’s a perfect time to peruse those family photos, scrapbooks, and memorabilia.

In particular, the Library is looking for Derby history-related items to add to our archives such as: photos of your childhood home, the family business and everyday life in Derby neighborhoods; memorabilia from parades, celebrations or theater playbills, etc.

So please let us know what hidden treasures you uncover so we can preserve history together.

Any questions?

Contact Christine Boulay, Library Assistant/Local History Coordinator at dplreference@biblio.org.

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

From the 'Turnback Tuesday' archives: Derby's first mayor

This week's "Turnback Tuesday" features an image of Derby's first mayor, Thomas Jefferson O'Sullivan.

Although Derby was officially recognized by the state of Connecticut in 1675, it wasn't until after Ansonia's separate incorporation as a city in 1893 that Derby's current boundaries were set. And after which time Dr. O'Sullivan was elected mayor of the City of Derby.

Born in 1852 in Preston, O'Sullivan first attended medical school in Burlington, Vermont then eventually earned his medical degree in New York. After graduating in 1876, he practiced in Worcester, Mass. for two years before returning to Connecticut and setting up a new practice in Derby.

He remained in Derby until his death around 1900.

[This was first published on this date in 2017.]

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

Sharing from the archives

I posted this on Feb. 1, 2017. Notice all the snow!

Sharing 'Turnback Tuesday' 2015 archives: Derby Post Office history

This week's "Turnback Tuesday" is a picture of the Derby Post Office on Olivia Street built in 1932. The first Derby Post Office was actually on Main Street and was built in 1798.

The current Post Office is eligible for the National Register of Historic Places. It served as a fall-out shelter during World War II and has changed from this picture since being made ADA compliant in the 1990s.

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

Recuperation journey: From the spring photo archives

 Sharing from around the yard ~ May 2, 2020. 

Recuperation journey: From the archives

Photo memory taken on this date in 2013. 

Welcome spring!

Sharing Facebook memory: 'Turnback Tuesday' from this date in 2018

Turnback Tuesday features “Another View from Sanford House” painting.

This oil-on-canvas was painted in 1852 by Calvin Curtis born in Stratford in 1822. The Sanford House was the home of Nehemiah Curtis and Nancy Bateman Shelton Sanford and was located on the corner of Caroline and 4th Street in Derby.

The painting is overlooking a canal and the Housatonic River and can be viewed at the Derby Public Library in the Adult Reference/Computer Room.

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

Recuperation journey: Looking at the sky

 

This sunset shot from April 27, 2014 came up in my Facebook memories today.

Recuperation journey: From the archives

 This photo came up in my Facebook memories today. I snapped it on March 13, 2017.

From the archives: Brrr...

Thanks to Facebook memories I'm reminded of this photo I took two years ago today.

From the archives: Photo from this date 8 years ago

Fall colors, beautiful sky, neighbor's shed. Thanks, Facebook memories!

Derby Public Library participates in Hindsight 2020 Postcard Project

DERBY - We are living through challenging, historic times. What would you want people of the future to know about what it was like? 

The Hindsight 2020 Postcard Project is an opportunity to share and preserve your thoughts. 

So please stop by the postcard station in the front lobby of Derby Public Library, write down your response and place it in the box. 

The Library is at 313 Elizabeth St.

The postcards will be collected, posted online, and preserved for future generations in the Yale University Library’s archival collections.

Postcards will be available at the Library until Sept. 15, and you can also share reflections through the project website at  2020newhaven.com.

This is shared from the Derby Public Library Facebook page.

Derby Public Library seeks historic photos of houses, businesses, parades, more

 

Derby Public Library staff is hunting for local history

 

Derby Public Library seeks history-related items for archives

  Photo of Derby Public Library, circa.1910

Looking for something fun to do while quarantined over the holidays? 

Turnback Tuesday is Hunting for History. And it’s a perfect time to peruse those family photos, scrapbooks and memorabilia. 

In particular, the Library is looking for Derby history-related items to add to our archives such as photos of your childhood home, the family business, everyday life in Derby neighborhoods, memorabilia from parades, celebrations, theater playbills, etc. So please let us know of your hidden treasures so we can preserve history together. 

Questions? Contact our Local History Coordinator Christine Boulay at dplreference@biblio.org. 

This is shared from the Library's Facebook page.

From the Nov. 3, 2014 archives: Looking at the sky

Thankful to FB for reminding me of  this photo I took six years ago. 

Have a safe and peaceful Election Day!

From the archives: Sharing FB memory from this date in 2013

 

Unfortunately we didn't enjoy this lovely color in our yard this fall as we did seven years ago. 

From the archives: Colorful FB memory from this date in 2015

 

'Morning sun lights up leaves' is what I wrote five years ago. 

Not much color around here on this dreary day.  

From the fall foliage archives

A 'decorated' tree that caught my eye a few years ago.