Town Historian To Present

‘What’s Old That’s New’

To start off the new year, Newtown Historical Society will offer its first program of 2008 at 7:30 pm on Monday, January 14, in the community room of C.H. Booth Library, 25 Main Street. The platform will be given to Daniel Cruson, Newtown’s town historian. Mr Cruson’s annual lecture this year will explore the topic of new discoveries and findings in the town’s history.

Mr Cruson’s presentation will be wide-ranging, and will be illustrated by a series of recently acquired vintage photographs from both his personal collection and the Historic Image Archive maintained by the historical society. Much of the new material will be related to events taking place in the central village or in Sandy Hook.

Another aspect of the talk will present images and information concerned with Fairfield Hills Hospital, the large tract of land and buildings formerly a part of the state’s mental health operations and now owned by the Town of Newtown.

Mr Cruson will also have some recently discovered images of the old Fabric Fire Hose building in Sandy Hook. Not to be left out, the outskirts of town will also have a place with some recently found images, including some mystery photos that as yet have not been identified.

Dan Cruson has been Newtown’s official historian since the office was first established. He has been a member of Newtown Historical Society for more than 30 years, and has served as its president, and currently sits on its board of trustees. He is a retired teacher, having developed and taught archeology, anthropology, and local history courses at Joel Barlow High School in Redding, and is presently serving as president of Connecticut Archeological Society.

Mr Cruson has done extensive work in both the documentary and archeological history of the Revolutionary War encampment at Putnam Park in Redding. He is a frequent speaker in the area, and a prolific author, most recently completing a full length history of C.H. Booth Library in honor of its 75th anniversary. Copies of all of his publications will be available for purchase at the presentation.

All Newtown Historical Society programs are free and open to the public. Refreshments will be served at the conclusion of the program.

Call the historical society with any questions, 426-5937.