Museum to celebrate Derby's industrial 'diva' in July

DERBY - At the beginning of the 20th century, women’s career opportunities were limited to domestic service, teaching, or factory work. 

Frances Osborne Kellogg

Born into wealth and privilege, Frances Osborne Kellogg had different options and chose to run her family’s manufacturing businesses at a time when women didn't have the right to vote.  
She was a successful business woman, land conservationist, community leader, musician, and dairy breeder.  

In the female economic empowerment sense of the word, Frances was a “diva”- a woman who worked hard, had many jobs, and knew how to invest her money.  

Visit the Osborne Homestead Museum during the month of July and view a special exhibition on Frances and her financial investments.  There will be pictures of her philanthropic awards, her garment accessory businesses, such as Union Fabric Co. and Steels & Busks. Ltd., and stories about her financial savvyness and determination to become successful in male-dominated industries. 

The Osborne Homestead Museum, 500 Hawthorne Ave., is a facility of the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection. 
It is open for free guided tours on Thursdays and Fridays from 10 a.m.-3 p.m., Saturdays from 10 a.m.-4 p.m., and Sundays from noon-4 p.m.  

This is a press release from DEEP.

Program in Derby to uncover the 'real' Frances Osborne Kellogg

DERBY - Connecticut’s Department of Energy and Environmental Protection will present a program June 17 on what life was like for Frances Osborne Kellogg, a small town celebrity during the early 1900s.  

Frances Kellogg

Visitors to the Osborne Homestead Museum will be entertained from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. with tours, and there will be a photo exhibition exploring the fact and fiction surrounding Kellogg's life.

Kellogg was a prominent business woman, philanthropist, musician, and dairy breeder whose life was enshrouded in mystery and legend after her death in 1956.  

In this special photo exhibition, guests will explore the reasons why she wanted everything in her handwriting burnt, the rumors and misperceptions, and the truth about her life.  

Join others to unearth the mysteries and unlock the truth about the “Lady of Derby.” 
The Osborne Homestead Museum, 500 Hawthorne Ave., is open for free guided tours Thursdays and Fridays from 10 a.m.-3 p.m., Saturdays from 10 a.m.-4 p.m., and Sundays from noon-4 p.m. 

For additional information call 203-734-2513 or email donna.kingston@ct.gov.


This is a press release from CT DEEP.