History of the Trumbull Historical Society
By Charles W. Hawley
As 1994 fades with the leaves, it is timely to pause and savor the first thirty years. It is an accomplishment to have survived for so long but more than that, we have a record to fill us with pride. Especially is this true for those of us who were here when we got started. We celebrated previous decade anniversaries so let's do this one and recall our beginnings.
An editorial in the Trumbull Times of May 23, 1963 bemoaned the conversion of the old Hawley home on upper Main Street into a school administration office building. It went on to say that there ought to be some group to fight to preserve Trumbull's fading landmarks, suggesting that a historical society should exist to do this, claiming that only leadership was lacking to organize such a group.
E. Merrill Beach was very much interested in local history and had published a book, Trumbull Church and Town in 1955 for the Trumbull Congregational Church as head of its Historical Committee "on the occasion of the 225th Anniversary of the founding of the church on November 18, 1730." Also on the committee were Miss Helen E. Plumb, Mr. Thomas Shaddick, Mrs. Lee Williams, Mr. Howard Beach, Mrs. Lauritz Eiby, and Mrs. A.E. Hughes. The book proved to be popular and went into a second printing in 1956.
Both Mr. Beach and Miss Plumb had given talks on town history to local groups and maintained lively interest in the subject and he, particularly, had suggested formation of such a society. Around this time I encountered Mr. Beach in the Fairfield Historical Society headquaarters as we were each peddling our books. Encouraged by my interests, he proposed we organize a society here. I demurred, feeling we should assist the Bridgeport Historical Society which was long established, originally as the Fairfield County Historical Society. But it had gone on a tangent in support of the Burroughs Mansion on Golden Hill Street in Bridgeport and was about to founder. Eventually, Dorothy and I gave up on Bridgeport and told Merrill we would help him.
Undaunted, Merrill moved more energetically with a letter in the Trumbull Times of June 6, 1963 making a plea for others interested in history of Trumbull to join in forming a society. After noting favorable feedback he followed this with a visit to First Selectman Clarence F. Heimann explaining the opportunity for a society and the wealth of historical material available in Trumbull. Mr. Heimann was impressed and followed up with a letter dated November 21, 1963 to a number of potentially interested Trumbullites, inviting all to a meeting in the Town Hall Court Room at 8:00 PM on Wednesday, December 4, 1963.
Dorothy Hawley contacted the Connecticut League of Historical Societies for guidance. Mr. Waverly Lewis, active Milford historian and membership chairman for the League, spoke at the following seventeen individuals were in attendance in addition to Mr. Beach and Mr. Lewis:
Membership enrollment began with the first 1964 meeting with nearly one-hundred joining that evening. Many more of the one-hundred-fifty or so at the second meeting in March, 1964 joined. A number of people also had used the coupon printed several times in the Trumbull Times. This brought the total to two-hundred-seven. At this meeting dues were set at $2.00. Then the organization was completed with the election of permanent officers as follows:
From the beginning it was realized that a newsletter would be a "must", not only for announcing coming events but also for recording Society activities and even more importantly to publish articles of interest to Trumbull historians. This issue is a part of Volume 29. The first issue was dated May 19, 1964. The name "Gristmill" was adopted September 15, 1964 and bore the new Society seal on its masthead. The name recalls the old comment that a new piece of gossip is "grist for the mill", here a doubly appropriate title.
An even earlier project was undertaken late in the winter of 1964, that of designing and adopting a suitable emblem for the Society. That duty was assigned to the arts committee With Mrs. Lyman (Dolly) F. Rogers as chairman. She came up with a most attractive and appropriate design by June, 1964. It represents an old mill such as that of Daniel Hawley " at the spring on the Pequonnock River" along White Plains Road just above Daniels Farm Road. Daniel, who resided just northeast of the present bridge, was a grand nephew of Gideon and Ephraim Hawley who had an even earlier mill in 1723 further down the river nerar the town line. The design was so much admired that it was adopted as the Town Seal and appears on all Trumbull governemnt stationary as well as on all Society papers. This includes gift stationary sold by the Society.
Also important from the start was the need to raise funds for an eventual house. Auctions were heald annually as the principal fund raiser until 1970 when our first Antique Show and Sale was offered over a two day weekend. With the show of October 15th and 16th, 1983, this event was switched from the spring to the fall to lessen competition with outher area activities. All were held at Middlebrooks School at 200 Middlebrooks Avenue except those of 1992 and 1993 which were held at the Trumbull Marriott Hotel on Hawley Lane. The 1994 show was our 25th annual show having been held each year with no interruptions. Lesser fund raisers have included tag sales, auctions, raffles, old house tours and bake sales, ect.
An intesive fund raising drive was initiated April 20, 1970 headed by Judge Aaram Tellalian, who invested a great deal of energy and enthusiasm in the project. This was very successful bringing in abut $18,000 and raising our total House Restoration Fund to $24,600 including some "in kind" contributions. By March, 1977 the fund amounted to $68,000 which included a $10,000 state grant.
With funds reaching the anticipated need, the search for a home was pressed. The Albert house had been rejected due to the costs of moving and improving and acquiring a land site. Other locations were suggested. Then a house on Tashua Road was offered by the town of Trumbull which ahd acquired a large plot for a recreational center. It included this building which was destined to be demolished. It has been built around 1800-1820 by John Nichols, Trumbull's First Selectman of 1797. But vandalism, fires, the need for very extensive repairs, the lack of a parking area and finally a lightning strike which brought down the chimney and did extensive damage to adjacent rooms, made the offer unattractive. Thus it was returned to the town in 1972.Finally we struck "pay dirt". Around 1690-1700 Abraham Nichols started farming on a plateau up from the Housatonic River near where a few others had ventured. Soon a trail was cut up through the woods more directly to the area. Known as "Old Farm Road" and "Captain's Road", it is now known as Nicholas Avenue. The "Captain" may have been William Curtis who was a captain in the Stratford Train Band, who also farmed there. Isaac and Caleb Nichols of an earlier generation had also farmed there soon after Richard Booth had land surveyed in the area in 1670.
This Abraham Nichols land amounted to about 1,000 acres with much of it remaining in the Nichols family for over two centuries. The last of the line was Florence Nichols who married Georege Woods in 1903. Soon after their deaths in 1973 and 1972 respectively, the property was deeded to the Nichols Medthodist Church from whom the town of Trumbull purchased it in 1974. (See the fine article on this place by Dorothy Seeley in the November, 1987 Gristmill.) This residual tract was then known as the "Woods Estate".
This thirteen acre property had included the fine old ten room house built around 1820, a greenhouse, garage, blacksmith shop and outhouses in the southwestern corner. There was also "a small tenement house of four rooms" occupied for a time by the caretaker. In 1926, Mr. Woods had the small house, the blacksmith shop and the outhouses torn down and decided to create a park on the plot above the homestead. He also built a cottage near the home and made an addition to the home. Extensive plantings of flowers, shrubs and trees followed. the trees included apple, chestnut and a variety of exotic foreign trees.
The Town was enabled to make this purchase by virtue of a substantial federal grovernment grant. This deal stipulated the clearing of the land of all buildings and its conversion to an "openspace" park. This, for a time, eliminated consideration of the plot for most other purposes.Society President John Packer, in a conversation with Town Engineer Paul Kallmeyer, began discussing the society's need for a permanent home and the subject of the Woods house came up with its mandated destruction imminent. They visited the place entering through a window since no key was available. They were much impressed with its possibilities despite the very obvious vandalism. Visits by a delegation of several society members further increased interest. A quick plea was made to the grant agency pointing out that use of the building as a museum would make a nice fit with the designated park use. Their permission arrived within hours of implementation of the order by the Director of Public Works to begin demolition. An appeal to First Selectman James Butler a very sympathetic presponse and the demolition order was recinded. This was 1977.
Detailed palans were required showing sketches with intended uses. aided by a poll of society members for suggestions still further raised enthusiam. Architectural services were donated by Daniel Antonozzi Associates. Extensive waork was required includeing remadeling, reapirs, painting, ect., most of which was beyond the expertise and capabilities of the members. Hence, a contract was signed on Friday, December 22, 1979 with a contractor. Despite severe winter weather the work was completed nearly on time. Working on the acquisition were John Packer, James Venman, Elwood Stanley and James Butler. The handled the paperwork and red tape concerning property lines, insurance, taxes, ect. The non-contractor work involved dozens of society members.
The Town leased the house with the immediate land around it to the society for 99 years via a $1.00 contract signed August 23, 1978. The address is 1856 Huntington Turnpike in Trumbull, Connecticut.Approximately $60,000 was spent to restore the house with $10,000 added in mid 1980 tothe society's funds by a state grant. This grant was based on tourism promotion with emphasis on the museum. The Town Public Works Department, the Garden Club and other community groups also rendered various services. The old well restoration was a project handled by Phil Jeffers alone.
Finally all was ready. On October 5, 1980, a House Opening Tea was held in the new facility with town and state officials in attendance. The total guests exceeded one-hundred. The three downstairs rooms were set up with displays of some of the large stores of artifacts which ahd been given to the society. Thus, a museum was established, with co-chairmen Mollie Keller and Carol Timpanelli proudly exhibiting their displays on November 15, 1981, a Sunday afternoon. Over three-hundred were in attendance. It was announced that the museum would be open to the public at no charge on Sundays 2 PM to 4 PM and Thursdays 10 AM to 1 PM.In March 1982, the House Committee spent about $1,000 of charis, tables and coat racks in anticipation of entertaining audiences for our programs. A sketch of the Trumbull Historical Society home is printed in the November, 1987 issue of the Gristmill drawn by society artist and past president Phil Jeffers. It is one of a half dozen or more of various Trumbull landmarks done by Mr. Jeffers and on sale in the society Gift Korner at the museum.The society's "infrastructure" is now complete. We have a permenant home (at least for "99 years"), an outstanding museum, an informative library and genealogical resource and best of all, a loyal dedicated corps of members with many "oldtimers" among them as well as numerous young people. We feel our accomplishmnets will be a consolation and source of pride to the over-worked older members and a challenge to the newer ones.
The Society has been blessed with a very fine series of presidents who really contributed a great deal of leadership, enthusiasm and energy. Following is a list of those who have served. The year of their election is listed with their terms beginning in the summer of that year and ending the following May.Trumbull Historical Society Presidents
An editorial in the Trumbull Times of May 23, 1963 bemoaned the conversion of the old Hawley home on upper Main Street into a school administration office building. It went on to say that there ought to be some group to fight to preserve Trumbull's fading landmarks, suggesting that a historical society should exist to do this, claiming that only leadership was lacking to organize such a group.
E. Merrill Beach was very much interested in local history and had published a book, Trumbull Church and Town in 1955 for the Trumbull Congregational Church as head of its Historical Committee "on the occasion of the 225th Anniversary of the founding of the church on November 18, 1730." Also on the committee were Miss Helen E. Plumb, Mr. Thomas Shaddick, Mrs. Lee Williams, Mr. Howard Beach, Mrs. Lauritz Eiby, and Mrs. A.E. Hughes. The book proved to be popular and went into a second printing in 1956.
Both Mr. Beach and Miss Plumb had given talks on town history to local groups and maintained lively interest in the subject and he, particularly, had suggested formation of such a society. Around this time I encountered Mr. Beach in the Fairfield Historical Society headquaarters as we were each peddling our books. Encouraged by my interests, he proposed we organize a society here. I demurred, feeling we should assist the Bridgeport Historical Society which was long established, originally as the Fairfield County Historical Society. But it had gone on a tangent in support of the Burroughs Mansion on Golden Hill Street in Bridgeport and was about to founder. Eventually, Dorothy and I gave up on Bridgeport and told Merrill we would help him.
Undaunted, Merrill moved more energetically with a letter in the Trumbull Times of June 6, 1963 making a plea for others interested in history of Trumbull to join in forming a society. After noting favorable feedback he followed this with a visit to First Selectman Clarence F. Heimann explaining the opportunity for a society and the wealth of historical material available in Trumbull. Mr. Heimann was impressed and followed up with a letter dated November 21, 1963 to a number of potentially interested Trumbullites, inviting all to a meeting in the Town Hall Court Room at 8:00 PM on Wednesday, December 4, 1963.
Dorothy Hawley contacted the Connecticut League of Historical Societies for guidance. Mr. Waverly Lewis, active Milford historian and membership chairman for the League, spoke at the following seventeen individuals were in attendance in addition to Mr. Beach and Mr. Lewis:
- Joseph F. Adzima
- Charles W. Hawley
- Helen Plumb
- Cecil Baker
- Muriel MacKenzie
- Dorothy Seeley
- Ben Bowe
- James McGovern III
- Earle Sullivan
- Barbara Crandon
- Mary Jones
- Jean True
- Dorothy Hawley
- Frances Kleitz
- Edna Uhl
- Serge G. Mihaly
- constitution and bylaws
- acquisitions
- headquarters site
- preparation of Trumbull history pamphlet
- to join the Connecticut League of Historical Societies
- to identify and mark the town's old houses
- increase the awareness of Trumbull's mineral resources
- arrange programs
- prepare articles on the several 75th anniversaries approaching for the Nichols Improvement Association, the first Trumbull Catholic Church, the Cavalry Evangelical Church (all born in 1889)
- other community historical services
Membership enrollment began with the first 1964 meeting with nearly one-hundred joining that evening. Many more of the one-hundred-fifty or so at the second meeting in March, 1964 joined. A number of people also had used the coupon printed several times in the Trumbull Times. This brought the total to two-hundred-seven. At this meeting dues were set at $2.00. Then the organization was completed with the election of permanent officers as follows:
- President: E. Merrill Beach
- Vice President: Lester Nothnagle
- Secretary: Dorothy M. Seeley
- Treasurer: Barbara Kier
- Director (1 year):
- Catherine Curtis
- Joseph Adzima
- Frances Kleitz
- Director (2 years):
- Charles W. Hawley
- Muriel MacKenzie
- Lorenzo Wildman
- Director (3 years):
- Howard Randall
- Maud Mallett
- Russell Shaw
From the beginning it was realized that a newsletter would be a "must", not only for announcing coming events but also for recording Society activities and even more importantly to publish articles of interest to Trumbull historians. This issue is a part of Volume 29. The first issue was dated May 19, 1964. The name "Gristmill" was adopted September 15, 1964 and bore the new Society seal on its masthead. The name recalls the old comment that a new piece of gossip is "grist for the mill", here a doubly appropriate title.
An even earlier project was undertaken late in the winter of 1964, that of designing and adopting a suitable emblem for the Society. That duty was assigned to the arts committee With Mrs. Lyman (Dolly) F. Rogers as chairman. She came up with a most attractive and appropriate design by June, 1964. It represents an old mill such as that of Daniel Hawley " at the spring on the Pequonnock River" along White Plains Road just above Daniels Farm Road. Daniel, who resided just northeast of the present bridge, was a grand nephew of Gideon and Ephraim Hawley who had an even earlier mill in 1723 further down the river nerar the town line. The design was so much admired that it was adopted as the Town Seal and appears on all Trumbull governemnt stationary as well as on all Society papers. This includes gift stationary sold by the Society.
Also important from the start was the need to raise funds for an eventual house. Auctions were heald annually as the principal fund raiser until 1970 when our first Antique Show and Sale was offered over a two day weekend. With the show of October 15th and 16th, 1983, this event was switched from the spring to the fall to lessen competition with outher area activities. All were held at Middlebrooks School at 200 Middlebrooks Avenue except those of 1992 and 1993 which were held at the Trumbull Marriott Hotel on Hawley Lane. The 1994 show was our 25th annual show having been held each year with no interruptions. Lesser fund raisers have included tag sales, auctions, raffles, old house tours and bake sales, ect.
An intesive fund raising drive was initiated April 20, 1970 headed by Judge Aaram Tellalian, who invested a great deal of energy and enthusiasm in the project. This was very successful bringing in abut $18,000 and raising our total House Restoration Fund to $24,600 including some "in kind" contributions. By March, 1977 the fund amounted to $68,000 which included a $10,000 state grant.
With funds reaching the anticipated need, the search for a home was pressed. The Albert house had been rejected due to the costs of moving and improving and acquiring a land site. Other locations were suggested. Then a house on Tashua Road was offered by the town of Trumbull which ahd acquired a large plot for a recreational center. It included this building which was destined to be demolished. It has been built around 1800-1820 by John Nichols, Trumbull's First Selectman of 1797. But vandalism, fires, the need for very extensive repairs, the lack of a parking area and finally a lightning strike which brought down the chimney and did extensive damage to adjacent rooms, made the offer unattractive. Thus it was returned to the town in 1972.Finally we struck "pay dirt". Around 1690-1700 Abraham Nichols started farming on a plateau up from the Housatonic River near where a few others had ventured. Soon a trail was cut up through the woods more directly to the area. Known as "Old Farm Road" and "Captain's Road", it is now known as Nicholas Avenue. The "Captain" may have been William Curtis who was a captain in the Stratford Train Band, who also farmed there. Isaac and Caleb Nichols of an earlier generation had also farmed there soon after Richard Booth had land surveyed in the area in 1670.
This Abraham Nichols land amounted to about 1,000 acres with much of it remaining in the Nichols family for over two centuries. The last of the line was Florence Nichols who married Georege Woods in 1903. Soon after their deaths in 1973 and 1972 respectively, the property was deeded to the Nichols Medthodist Church from whom the town of Trumbull purchased it in 1974. (See the fine article on this place by Dorothy Seeley in the November, 1987 Gristmill.) This residual tract was then known as the "Woods Estate".
This thirteen acre property had included the fine old ten room house built around 1820, a greenhouse, garage, blacksmith shop and outhouses in the southwestern corner. There was also "a small tenement house of four rooms" occupied for a time by the caretaker. In 1926, Mr. Woods had the small house, the blacksmith shop and the outhouses torn down and decided to create a park on the plot above the homestead. He also built a cottage near the home and made an addition to the home. Extensive plantings of flowers, shrubs and trees followed. the trees included apple, chestnut and a variety of exotic foreign trees.
The Town was enabled to make this purchase by virtue of a substantial federal grovernment grant. This deal stipulated the clearing of the land of all buildings and its conversion to an "openspace" park. This, for a time, eliminated consideration of the plot for most other purposes.Society President John Packer, in a conversation with Town Engineer Paul Kallmeyer, began discussing the society's need for a permanent home and the subject of the Woods house came up with its mandated destruction imminent. They visited the place entering through a window since no key was available. They were much impressed with its possibilities despite the very obvious vandalism. Visits by a delegation of several society members further increased interest. A quick plea was made to the grant agency pointing out that use of the building as a museum would make a nice fit with the designated park use. Their permission arrived within hours of implementation of the order by the Director of Public Works to begin demolition. An appeal to First Selectman James Butler a very sympathetic presponse and the demolition order was recinded. This was 1977.
Detailed palans were required showing sketches with intended uses. aided by a poll of society members for suggestions still further raised enthusiam. Architectural services were donated by Daniel Antonozzi Associates. Extensive waork was required includeing remadeling, reapirs, painting, ect., most of which was beyond the expertise and capabilities of the members. Hence, a contract was signed on Friday, December 22, 1979 with a contractor. Despite severe winter weather the work was completed nearly on time. Working on the acquisition were John Packer, James Venman, Elwood Stanley and James Butler. The handled the paperwork and red tape concerning property lines, insurance, taxes, ect. The non-contractor work involved dozens of society members.
The Town leased the house with the immediate land around it to the society for 99 years via a $1.00 contract signed August 23, 1978. The address is 1856 Huntington Turnpike in Trumbull, Connecticut.Approximately $60,000 was spent to restore the house with $10,000 added in mid 1980 tothe society's funds by a state grant. This grant was based on tourism promotion with emphasis on the museum. The Town Public Works Department, the Garden Club and other community groups also rendered various services. The old well restoration was a project handled by Phil Jeffers alone.
Finally all was ready. On October 5, 1980, a House Opening Tea was held in the new facility with town and state officials in attendance. The total guests exceeded one-hundred. The three downstairs rooms were set up with displays of some of the large stores of artifacts which ahd been given to the society. Thus, a museum was established, with co-chairmen Mollie Keller and Carol Timpanelli proudly exhibiting their displays on November 15, 1981, a Sunday afternoon. Over three-hundred were in attendance. It was announced that the museum would be open to the public at no charge on Sundays 2 PM to 4 PM and Thursdays 10 AM to 1 PM.In March 1982, the House Committee spent about $1,000 of charis, tables and coat racks in anticipation of entertaining audiences for our programs. A sketch of the Trumbull Historical Society home is printed in the November, 1987 issue of the Gristmill drawn by society artist and past president Phil Jeffers. It is one of a half dozen or more of various Trumbull landmarks done by Mr. Jeffers and on sale in the society Gift Korner at the museum.The society's "infrastructure" is now complete. We have a permenant home (at least for "99 years"), an outstanding museum, an informative library and genealogical resource and best of all, a loyal dedicated corps of members with many "oldtimers" among them as well as numerous young people. We feel our accomplishmnets will be a consolation and source of pride to the over-worked older members and a challenge to the newer ones.
The Society has been blessed with a very fine series of presidents who really contributed a great deal of leadership, enthusiasm and energy. Following is a list of those who have served. The year of their election is listed with their terms beginning in the summer of that year and ending the following May.Trumbull Historical Society Presidents
- Merrill Beach (1964)
- Helen E. Plumb (1965-1967)
- Serge Mihaley (1968-1969)
- Lorenzo Wildman (1970)
- Andrew Harding (1971)
- Elwood Stanley (1972-1973)
- David C. Beardsley (1974-1975)
- John D. Packer (1976-1978)
- John E. Dempsey (1979-1980)
- Philip Jeffers (1981-1982)
- Lois Levine (1983-1984)
- Marshall Stevens (1985-1986)
- Mollie Keller (1987)
- Vivian Burr (1988-1989)
- Alice Anderson (1990)
- Elvira Ludford (1991-1992)
- Wayne Sakal (1993-1994)
- John D. Packer (1995-1997)
- John Lauria (1997-1999)
- Warren Blake (1999-2001)
- Co-Presidents: Nancy Fisher & Michael Malone (2001-Present)