Historical Essays
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Valley Links to the Titanic Sinking
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…
Read MoreSteamboat Ansonia
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…
Read MoreRemembering the Valley’s Spring of 1953
(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…
Read MoreHousatonic River Ice
(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…
Read MoreHistory of the Seymour Fire Alarm – By James Morgan
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…
Read MoreHistory of Revenue Stamped Paper
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…
Read MoreThe Dutch in the Housatonic Valley
(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…
Read MoreThe Derby Silver Company
The Derby Silver Company was founded in 1872, and began operations on Shelton’s Canal Street one year later. The company soon outgrew its quarters and constructed a larger building, which…
Read MoreDavid Humphreys – In His Own Words
A speech by Derby Historical Society Executive Director Robert Novak Jr., at the 52nd commemoration of Roger Sherman and David Humphreys, at the David Humphreys gravesite at Grove Street Cemetery in…
Read MoreThe Creation of the City of Ansonia and Today’s Valley in 1888-1889
(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…
Read MoreHow Ansonia came to be and Received its Name
From the book – History of Derby, Connecticut 1642-1880Published in 1880 by Rev. Samuel Orcutt & Dr. Ambrose Beardsley * Asterisks indicate insertions made by the Derby Historical Society After Birmingham…
Read MoreWilliam Adams Textile Manufacturing Chronology
by William Adams Hunter 1826 – William Adams immigrates to New York City 1829 – William Adams opens handloom in attic at West 4th Street 1832 – Formal business is…
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