WCSU’s Archives & Special Collections Dept Is Open To The Public

DANBURY — Whether interested in learning more about personal genealogy, finding a recipe from 1888, or delving into Danbury history, Western Connecticut State University can help.

Copies of The New England Historical and Genealogical Register, the 1888 Danbury Fair Cook Book, and excerpts from the diary of a Danbury man who fought in the Civil War are among the historical treasures available in the Archives and Special Collections Department at WestConn, which is open to the public.

The department is in the Ruth Haas Library on WestConn’s Midtown campus, 181 White Street. The department and the library are free and open year-round.

Director of Library Services Ralph Holibaugh pointed out that the summer offers an opportunity for members of the public to tap his facility’s resources when there are fewer students on campus.

“The community is always encouraged to use the library,” he said.

Archivist and Special Collections Librarian Meg Moughan said those who make the trip may be pleasantly surprised.

“We offer a small, but growing, collection,” she said. “And we have some great resources.”

Ms Moughan’s department mainly collects records of the university and historical information about Danbury and Fairfield County that is contemporary to the university and its founding in 1903. The Danbury Fair Cook Book and the diary of Civil War soldier and Danbury resident Horace Purdy are among the thousands of items in the collected papers of former WestConn professor Dr Truman Warner.

“Many people are unaware of the wealth of information that collection contains,” Ms Moughan said. “Digging into it, visitors can find many primary sources, and we’re able to provide people with access to a stockpile of original source material.”

The department also recently received a donation of large genealogy serials, including copies of The New England Historical and Genealogical Register that date from 1980 to the present; The Connecticut Nutmegger dated from 1984 to 1996; and The American Genealogist, dated from 1982 to 1995.

The department also recently received and processed the records of Danbury Preservation Trust. The   organization was founded in the late 1970s to protect the city’s historic sites, and its records document efforts to place specific properties on the National Register of Historic Places.

The department’s other notable collections include materials about Danbury hatters; the papers of Broadway and film performer and writer Edward Eliscu, a former Newtown resident; and advocate June Goodman’s collection focused on improving Danbury’s school system.

Ms Moughan said the department also is seeking collections from the community. Diaries, photo albums, personal papers, and more can provide a glimpse of the area’s history, she said.

“The smallest thing can tell a story,” she said. “By donating items to the library, people can ensure they have a permanent home. We treat all the donations we receive with great respect.”

The department is open from 9 am to 4 pm Monday through Thursday. Appointments and research assistance are available. Call Ms Moughan at 837-8992 for an appointment, information about research assistance, or information about making a donation.