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by mmcintire@darienhistorical.org | Jul 21, 2020 | 0 comments

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    As #MemorialDay approaches, did you know that #Dar As #MemorialDay approaches, did you know that #Darien was the site of the first home for soldiers in the United States? This town has a storied history of support of its veterans. Read more, from Karen Kreitzberger Polett, who researched and presented a series called "Monument of the Month" that she eventually published in book form, about the Fitch Home for Soldiers. Her series is accompanied by photos taken by her husband, David Polett. The Fitch Home for Soldiers plaque is at 230 Noroton Avenue, across the street from Noroton Heights Fire Department. The property is owned by Darien Housing Authority (a State of CT agency.) Fitch's Home for Soldiers and Orphans (1863-1940), was founded by local Darien philanthropist Benjamin Fitch, who donated five acres of land and $100,000 to build a residence hall for men who served in the Civil War and for children whose fathers were killed in that war. The Fitch Home was dedicated July 4, 1864. Also known as the Noroton Home, it consisted of the Fitch Home, and four two-story buildings, which included a chapel, hospital, library, and a residence hall. The grounds were expanded from five to 12 acres and eventually included the Spring Grove Cemetery. The building was demolished in 1950 to make way for Allen-O’Neill, a moderate-income veteran housing community named for Eric Allen Jr. and William T. O’Neill, two Darien residents who had lost their lives during the attack on Pearl Harbor. Sources: Marian Castell, Edmund Schmidt, CT Dept of Veterans Affairs, CT Historical Society Help us continue to bring Darien's history into the future. Visit museumofdarien.org to find out how. #DarienHistory #veterans
    What's there now? from town historian Ken Reiss — Of all the names of streets in Darien, the name Leroy Avenue seems to provoke the most curiosity While not entirely sure how that name came to be assigned to that particular street, we do know that once upon a time, the name of Captain Anson Van Horne LeRoy was a prominent one in Darien. His father was Commodore LeRoy, USN, Commandant of the Brooklyn Navy Yard. His grandfather and great-grandfather, both named Herman LeRoy, were wealthy New York bankers and merchants, of the firm LeRoy, Bayard, and Son. And, with the opening of the Erie Canal, grandfather Herman acquired great quantities of potential wheat lands near the canal, and opened a real estate office and flour mill in Genesee County, New York, in the village of Buttermilk Falls. It now is known as the town of LeRoy. A.V.H. LeRoy also followed a maritime career, and after service in the United States Navy, commanded a series of steamships shuttling passengers and cargo between San Francisco and Panama. He returned East in the mid-1850's to marry New York real estate heiress Ellen Rhinelander. The couple took advantage of the newly-established rail service to Darien, and built a handsome Italianate mansion on the Turnpike (Post) Road as their country seat. It still graces our town — but now as a private business. Can you guess what it is? #darienhistory #whatstherenow #townofdarien #darien2020
    Congratulations to Al Miller, recently honored wit Congratulations to Al Miller, recently honored with gratitude at The Community Fund of Darien's celebration of Darien’s Volunteers, as the Museum of Darien’s Volunteer of the Year for 2022. Al Miller was an inspired choice to Chair the Bicentennial Committee and represent the Museum of Darien in all the activities. When Al undertook the role in 2018, it was a daunting task, which involved coordinating multiple committees of volunteers from the community, nonprofits and Town agencies. No challenge was too great for Al, including the COVID interruption that ultimately postponed the majority of activities from 2020 to 2021. Prior to 2020, Al organized and led committees focused on publicity, historical markers, and events targeting the entire community, from solemn events like the Anniversary Day at Slawson Cemetery to the family oriented Beach Bash at Weed Beach. When in person events became impossible, Al quickly switched to online meetings to maintain momentum. No task was too small for Al, whether it involved assembling and dis-assembling a gigantic cake for the Memorial Day Parade and Beach Bash, sporting a costume for the re-enactment of the raid on the Congregational Church for Heritage Day, or greeting elected dignitaries at the opening ceremonies. Al is the quintessential volunteer - he inspired all his committees to stay focused despite the pandemic delays, and the tremendous success of the Bicentennial is due entirely to his leadership #darien #darienhistory #darien2020 #darienbicentennial
    Today's episode of "What's there now?" in Darien, Today's episode of "What's there now?" in Darien, brought to you by town historian Ken Reiss. Make your guesses! By the 1790's, the growing wealth of New Yorkers and the advent of regular summertime epidemics of yellow fever had created a thriving market for places in the country — fresh air retreats, where families (or members of a family) could enjoy life away from the dangers and horrid odors of the hot city streets. Ads like this one, for the 31-acre farm of the late Josiah Scofield, appeared regularly in the New work press, and often featured conveniences, such as a location on the main road to New York and access to the weekly New York boat, along with a minimum of agricultural details. This ad, which ran in the "Daily Advertiser" in September 1796, lists as a contact Josiah's youngest son, Jesse, at his New York address of 275 Water Street. Of course, it is no longer a farm...so what's there now, Darien? #darien #darienhistory #historicalnewengland
    Reminder! Don't miss it! Upcoming at the Museum of Reminder! Don't miss it! Upcoming at the Museum of Darien - The Silhouette Lady Returns! A great gift for mom on Mother's Day — Have your child's silhouette created! Sunday, May 1, 10am-4pm — By Appointment Only Call Sarah at 203-984-1798 for an in-person appointment or order online at thesilhouettelady.com by April 27 for delivery by May 1. The cost is $30, framing additional. This fundraising event benefits the education programs at Museum of Darien. #Darien #MothersDay #DarienHistory
    Join us this Sunday for a lecture on Impressionist Join us this Sunday for a lecture on Impressionist artist colonies in Connecticut: Old Lyme, Cos Cob and Mystic. Lecture by Amy Kurtz Lansing, Curator Florence Griswold Museum, Old Lyme, CT. Kurtz Lansing will offer an overview of the artist colonies along the Connecticut coast. In the early 20th century, artists visiting from New York or Boston set down roots in Old Lyme, Cos Cob, and Mystic to form communities where they could thrive professionally and personally in a changing art world. Sunday, April 24th at 4 pm Tickets: $15 members, $20 non members To register visit museumofdarien.org or call us at 203 655 9233 45 Old Kings Highway North, Darien, CT 06820 Tuesdays – Thursdays 11- 4pm. #art #cthistory #arthistory #darien #oldlyme #coscob #mystic
    As #MemorialDay approaches, did you know that #Dar As #MemorialDay approaches, did you know that #Darien was the site of the first home for soldiers in the United States? This town has a storied history of support of its veterans. Read more, from Karen Kreitzberger Polett, who researched and presented a series called "Monument of the Month" that she eventually published in book form, about the Fitch Home for Soldiers. Her series is accompanied by photos taken by her husband, David Polett. The Fitch Home for Soldiers plaque is at 230 Noroton Avenue, across the street from Noroton Heights Fire Department. The property is owned by Darien Housing Authority (a State of CT agency.) Fitch's Home for Soldiers and Orphans (1863-1940), was founded by local Darien philanthropist Benjamin Fitch, who donated five acres of land and $100,000 to build a residence hall for men who served in the Civil War and for children whose fathers were killed in that war. The Fitch Home was dedicated July 4, 1864. Also known as the Noroton Home, it consisted of the Fitch Home, and four two-story buildings, which included a chapel, hospital, library, and a residence hall. The grounds were expanded from five to 12 acres and eventually included the Spring Grove Cemetery. The building was demolished in 1950 to make way for Allen-O’Neill, a moderate-income veteran housing community named for Eric Allen Jr. and William T. O’Neill, two Darien residents who had lost their lives during the attack on Pearl Harbor. Sources: Marian Castell, Edmund Schmidt, CT Dept of Veterans Affairs, CT Historical Society Help us continue to bring Darien's history into the future. Visit museumofdarien.org to find out how. #DarienHistory #veterans
    What's there now? from town historian Ken Reiss — Of all the names of streets in Darien, the name Leroy Avenue seems to provoke the most curiosity While not entirely sure how that name came to be assigned to that particular street, we do know that once upon a time, the name of Captain Anson Van Horne LeRoy was a prominent one in Darien. His father was Commodore LeRoy, USN, Commandant of the Brooklyn Navy Yard. His grandfather and great-grandfather, both named Herman LeRoy, were wealthy New York bankers and merchants, of the firm LeRoy, Bayard, and Son. And, with the opening of the Erie Canal, grandfather Herman acquired great quantities of potential wheat lands near the canal, and opened a real estate office and flour mill in Genesee County, New York, in the village of Buttermilk Falls. It now is known as the town of LeRoy. A.V.H. LeRoy also followed a maritime career, and after service in the United States Navy, commanded a series of steamships shuttling passengers and cargo between San Francisco and Panama. He returned East in the mid-1850's to marry New York real estate heiress Ellen Rhinelander. The couple took advantage of the newly-established rail service to Darien, and built a handsome Italianate mansion on the Turnpike (Post) Road as their country seat. It still graces our town — but now as a private business. Can you guess what it is? #darienhistory #whatstherenow #townofdarien #darien2020
    Congratulations to Al Miller, recently honored wit Congratulations to Al Miller, recently honored with gratitude at The Community Fund of Darien's celebration of Darien’s Volunteers, as the Museum of Darien’s Volunteer of the Year for 2022. Al Miller was an inspired choice to Chair the Bicentennial Committee and represent the Museum of Darien in all the activities. When Al undertook the role in 2018, it was a daunting task, which involved coordinating multiple committees of volunteers from the community, nonprofits and Town agencies. No challenge was too great for Al, including the COVID interruption that ultimately postponed the majority of activities from 2020 to 2021. Prior to 2020, Al organized and led committees focused on publicity, historical markers, and events targeting the entire community, from solemn events like the Anniversary Day at Slawson Cemetery to the family oriented Beach Bash at Weed Beach. When in person events became impossible, Al quickly switched to online meetings to maintain momentum. No task was too small for Al, whether it involved assembling and dis-assembling a gigantic cake for the Memorial Day Parade and Beach Bash, sporting a costume for the re-enactment of the raid on the Congregational Church for Heritage Day, or greeting elected dignitaries at the opening ceremonies. Al is the quintessential volunteer - he inspired all his committees to stay focused despite the pandemic delays, and the tremendous success of the Bicentennial is due entirely to his leadership #darien #darienhistory #darien2020 #darienbicentennial
    Today's episode of "What's there now?" in Darien, Today's episode of "What's there now?" in Darien, brought to you by town historian Ken Reiss. Make your guesses! By the 1790's, the growing wealth of New Yorkers and the advent of regular summertime epidemics of yellow fever had created a thriving market for places in the country — fresh air retreats, where families (or members of a family) could enjoy life away from the dangers and horrid odors of the hot city streets. Ads like this one, for the 31-acre farm of the late Josiah Scofield, appeared regularly in the New work press, and often featured conveniences, such as a location on the main road to New York and access to the weekly New York boat, along with a minimum of agricultural details. This ad, which ran in the "Daily Advertiser" in September 1796, lists as a contact Josiah's youngest son, Jesse, at his New York address of 275 Water Street. Of course, it is no longer a farm...so what's there now, Darien? #darien #darienhistory #historicalnewengland
    Reminder! Don't miss it! Upcoming at the Museum of Reminder! Don't miss it! Upcoming at the Museum of Darien - The Silhouette Lady Returns! A great gift for mom on Mother's Day — Have your child's silhouette created! Sunday, May 1, 10am-4pm — By Appointment Only Call Sarah at 203-984-1798 for an in-person appointment or order online at thesilhouettelady.com by April 27 for delivery by May 1. The cost is $30, framing additional. This fundraising event benefits the education programs at Museum of Darien. #Darien #MothersDay #DarienHistory
    Join us this Sunday for a lecture on Impressionist Join us this Sunday for a lecture on Impressionist artist colonies in Connecticut: Old Lyme, Cos Cob and Mystic. Lecture by Amy Kurtz Lansing, Curator Florence Griswold Museum, Old Lyme, CT. Kurtz Lansing will offer an overview of the artist colonies along the Connecticut coast. In the early 20th century, artists visiting from New York or Boston set down roots in Old Lyme, Cos Cob, and Mystic to form communities where they could thrive professionally and personally in a changing art world. Sunday, April 24th at 4 pm Tickets: $15 members, $20 non members To register visit museumofdarien.org or call us at 203 655 9233 45 Old Kings Highway North, Darien, CT 06820 Tuesdays – Thursdays 11- 4pm. #art #cthistory #arthistory #darien #oldlyme #coscob #mystic

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