Save the date: Bike Night for Eva the Diva slated at Valley Diner in Derby

Barnum Museum in Bridgeport to present talk on Ebenezer Bassett

Ebenezer Bassett (1833-1908)

BRIDGEPORT - The Barnum Museum will welcome diplomat Christopher Teal at 2 p.m. April 14. 

Teal is a senior foreign diplomat with the State Department in Washington, D.C.

He will give a public screening of his new documentary on Ebenezer Bassett, “A Diplomat of Consequence,” parts of which were filmed in Seymour and Derby with local historians.  
Bassett was the nation’s first African-American diplomat.  

He was appointed to Haiti in 1869 by President Ulysses S. Grant where he served with distinction.

Bassett was born in Litchfield, the son and grandson of Connecticut Black Governors.  

He was raised in Derby where he first attended school.  

From Derby he went on to attend Wilbraham Academy in Massachusetts and later The Connecticut State Normal School, present-day Central Connecticut State University in New Britain, where he graduated with honors in 1855.  

On March 20 Central Connecticut State University renamed a campus classroom building to Ebenezer Bassett Hall.  
A commemorative wall in the building’s foyer is part of Connecticut's Freedom Trail.

Teal is also author of the book Hero of Hispaniola: America's First Black Diplomat, Ebenezer D. Bassett.  
The Barnum Museum is located at 820 Main St.

The program is free; street parking in Bridgeport is free on Sundays. 

Photo: Courtesy of Elihu Burritt Library, CCSU.

This is a press release from The Barnum Museum. 

Friends of Shelton Animal Shelter to hold rabies clinic at Farmer's Market

Massimino's Ristorante in Ansonia to celebrate grand opening

Black tie event to benefit Sober Touch Sensoring slated in Ansonia

Update: The event has been moved to June 15, same time and place.

Griffin Hospital in Derby to host annual Baby Fair for new parents

Griffin Hospital to host annual Baby Fair April 27. /Contributed photo

DERBY - Expectant parents, new parents and their families can get a good feel for the area’s maternity and child care resources from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. April 27 at Griffin Hospital’s Annual Baby Fair.

Held at The Childbirth Center at Griffin Hospital, 130 Division St., this free event features more than 30 exhibitors, door prizes, tours of the Childbirth Center and information about the Center’s classes and support groups for before and after childbirth.

Griffin Hospital offers family-centered maternity care in an environment designed to best meet individual and family needs. 

The Center features private, family-friendly rooms, expert staff for maternal and newborn care, and lactation consultants. 

The Childbirth Center received the Baby-Friendly designation from the World Health Organization and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), an international honor is given to hospitals that offer an optimal level of care for infant feeding and that help parents make informed choices about feeding and caring for their babies.

For more information about The Childbirth Center at Griffin Hospital, call 203-732-7252 or visit griffinhealth.org/cbc.

This is a press release from Griffin Hospital. 

Recuperation journey: Double trouble

Saw two of my three blue jay visitors through the window this morning just hanging around.