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News and Upcoming Events

Annual Meeting and Program Featuring First Lady Dolley Madison
Sunday, February 12, 2012    1:00 PM at Christ Episcopal Church, 56 South Cliff Street, Ansonia CT

An earlier form of taxation: Revenue Stamped Paper:

Click here to read a story shared by Col.  Don Woodworth



New Fund at Valley Community Foundation Will Restore Veterans Memorial Plaques

Julia Baldini, Executive Director of the Derby Historical Society, James Dellavolpe, Mayor of Ansonia, Jamie Cohen, President of the Valley Community Foundation, Congresswoman Rosa DeLuaro and Congressman Chris Murphy

January 12, 2012 - The Valley Community Foundation (VCF) announces that the Derby Historical Society and VCF in collaboration with the Mayors of Ansonia, Derby and Shelton have created a new fund to restore veterans memorial plaques that were stolen from local Valley communities in 2011.  The Fund will be known as the Veterans Memorial Plaques Restoration Fund and gifts up to a total of $6,000 will be matched through a $5,000 grant from unrestricted funds from VCF and a $1,000 contribution from the Cohen-DeToro Charitable Fund. Gifts may be made online at www.valleyfoundation.org or by check and mailed to the Valley Community Foundation at 253-A Elizabeth Street, Derby, Connecticut, 06418. For more information, call the Valley Community Foundation at (203)751-9162. 

 

 

Recent Events

Twelfth Night Celebration at the Humphreys House
Sunday, January 8    1:00PM - 4:00PM
Twelfth Night is an old holiday associated with the end of the Christmas season, best known by the song “The Twelve Days of Christmas.”  At a time when many of us are in a tizzy trying to accomplish all the chores and shopping associated with the Holidays, the celebration of Twelfth Night at the David Humphreys House has only become more popular with each passing year. All are invited to visit and turn back the clock to a less hectic time. Partake in the refreshments, bask in the warmth of the fireplace, and enjoy the live music. The Humphreys family and their neighbors of the 18th century will be on hand to welcome guests. Tours of the historic home, which will be decorated with plants, branches, and greenery, will be conducted. Everyone is welcome to enjoy the caroling, and partake of the refreshments, good company, and the warm, comforting fire of the hearth. Refreshments will include finger sandwiches, desserts, hot cider and punch. Our homemade American Girl-sized doll clothes will be available at the gift shop. Donation: $3.00 per person, or $10.00 for a family of four or more.

Christmas Fair
Saturday, December 3    10:00AM - 3:00PM
This holiday shopping season, support your local community and finish your Christmas list by stopping by our "Christmas Fair" at the David Humphreys House. Enjoy hot cider and cookies as you peruse a selection of gifts including books on local history, prints, household wares, toys, hand-made crafts and American Girl Doll sized clothing.  For a partial list of the gift shop offerings, click on the "Gift Shop" link on the left side of this page.  Cost is free and you won't have to fight anyone for a parking spot.

Open Hearth Cooking
Sunday, November 13     1:00PM - 4:00PM
Led by the Derby Historical Society docents, watch a cooking demonstration and sample foods from the colonial period. Cost: $5/adults, $3/seniors & children 8 - 16, FREE/children under 8. 

A Visit With Abraham Lincoln
Monday, November 21     5:00 pm - Grassy Hill Lodge

Abraham Lincoln is coming to visit with our donors on Monday, November 21 for a very special night at Grassy Hill Lodge in Derby. If you click on the image to the left you can read all about Steve Wood and his masterful portrayal of the man who many say was the greatest president in U.S. history. This special night is part of the Society's Annual Appeal (see above), anyone making a donation of $40 or more is entitled to a free ticket for the evening.  Additional tickets are available for incremental donations of $40. This event is a must for Valley history buffs, and we invite you to share this pre-Thanksgiving special event with us.

 

 

 

 

On Saturday, October 1 the Derby Historical Society presented a Civil War Living History Reenactment by Company F, 14th Connecticut Volunteer Infantry on the grounds of the Derby Historical Society at 37 Elm Street, Ansonia, CT from 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM. Click here to see photos of the day. You can also play the video below and check out more videos like it by clicking on the links below the video.

The Story of Company F

Company F's Drummer Boy

The Story of Joseph Pierce

 

Collections Catalog On-line The Derby Historical Society is pleased to announce that a limited portion of our Society's Collection Catalog is now available to the public to search on-line. We need to stress that this is just a start, and it will take years to get everything on-line. However, we want to serve you better by making this important start. You will be able to search the records for objects, photos and more, and we will be adding more content as we move forward with this exciting project. Click here to start searching!