Historical Essays

by Robert Novak Jr.Originally written February 25, 1998 (with a couple updates since) “CQD. SOS. FROM MGY (TITANIC). WE HAVE STRUCK ICEBERG. SINKING FAST. COME TO OUR ASSISTANCE.” -General distress call sent from…

Speech presented by Robert Novak Jr.Executive Director of Derby Historical SocietyWhile Presenting the SS Ansonia painting to the City of AnsoniaBoard of Aldermen Meeting – December 12, 2000 As part…

(originally published in the Spring 2003 Derby Historical Society newsletter) One of the unifying themes fifty years ago was rain! The Ansonia Water Company labeled March of 1953 its wettest…

(Originally written in February 2004 by Robert Novak Jr. for the weekly newspaper Huntington Herald). An “old-fashioned New England winter” had given way to a much-anticipated thaw at the end…

It was part of our childhood, the nine o’clock whistle warned all good children to be at home.  It was the voice of excitement, the herald of shiny fire apparatus…

The Derby Historical Society is fortunate to have many contributors to the history of the Valley willing to share their research with us. The story and graphics below are a…

(Originally written in July 1998 by Former Executive Director, Robert Novak Jr. for the weekly newspaper Huntington Herald) Imagine the scene, not long after the year 1614 –  The waters…

(originally written in March and April of 2003 by Robert Novak Jr. for the weekly newspaper Huntington Herald) Part I             In November of 1888, a series of events began across…