Derby Hall of Famer of the Week: Charles A. Sterling

Our Derby Hall of Famer of the Week built one of the largest and most prestigious businesses in Derby history. 

Charles A. Sterling started out manufacturing organs in enormous wood structures located along the canal near what today is Water Street. He later added pianos as the business thrived for decades. He had an easy walk to work as he lived on Caroline Street. 

He passed away in 1877 but left a lasting legacy in Derby. The Sterling Opera House is named for him. https://electronicvalley.org/.../Hal.../Sterling,Charles.htm

Shared from the Derby 350 Facebook page.

'Turnback Tuesday' highlights advertisement for The Sterling Company

Turnback Tuesday is sharing a Sterling Company pocket calendar and advertisement from 1911.

The Sterling Company was established and founded by Charles A. Sterling in 1860. The factory was located west of the Naugatuck River along the canal, near where Home Depot is today.

Starting out with producing pump organs and then converting to pianos in 1885, Sterling passed away in 1887, but his company lived on producing pianos until the late 1920’s.

This card is a recent donation from Robert Ahearn.

Derby Public Library is “Hunting for History.” Please consider donating your Derby history memorabilia to the Library.

Contact our local historian, Christine, at cboulay@biblio.org.

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

New book features history of The Sterling Company in Derby

ANSONIA - The Derby Historical Society today announced its newest book about Derby history, "The Sterling Company". 

This hardcover, color book is the first comprehensive look at the fascinating history of the factory. 

It shows how the vision of a Connecticut native and the business savvy of a Massachusetts entrepreneur advanced the manufacture of parlor organs and pianos from humble beginnings to become a premier contributor to the music industry and, in the process, made a significant impression on the industrial, economic, and cultural development of the Lower Naugatuck Valley. 

The book contains rare images and memorabilia from the records of the Derby Public Library, Derby Historical Society, and the author’s personal collection.

The book is currently available for sale at the David Humphreys House Museum Gift Shop open Tuesday-Thursday, 9 a.m.-1 p.m. 

The House is at 37 Elm St.

Call 203-735-1908 for information.

[Please note that the house and gift shop are closed the weeks of Christmas and New Year holidays.]

This is shared from the Derby Historical Society's Facebook page.