From Cobbler To Founding Father: Sherman Historical Society Launches Program To Celebrate Town’s Namesake

SHERMAN — Sherman Historical Society announces a local history program that centers on the town’s namesake, Roger Sherman, who in 1743 had briefly resided in the northern tip of Sherman, then known as New Dilloway, where he had worked as a cobbler and farmer before becoming one of the most influential political figures in the founding of our country.

The program — which is called “Focus 2009: Why is Our Town Named Sherman?” — is made up of a series of community events, the first of which was the appearance of “Roger Sherman and the New Dilloway Rabble” in Sherman’s Memorial Day parade. A special Roger Sherman exhibition has opened at Northrop House Museum, featuring documents, letters, pictures and artifacts related to Roger Sherman’s life and work as well as life in Colonial New Dilloway.

Among the items on view for the summer is a replica of what is believed to be Sherman’s cobbler box as well as copies of the papers that were found inside the box, a selection of cobbler tools, the Sherman family tree, facsimiles of famous paintings of Sherman and family members, a photo history of the ongoing cobbler shop restoration, a collection of biographies and historic pamphlets, and articles about Sherman and the American Revolution.

The culmination of Focus 2009 program will be the official dedication of the Roger Sherman Cobbler Shop on Sunday, October 4. The cobbler shop is currently being reconstructed from original timbers on the field behind Northrop House Museum. A town-wide celebration and picnic will feature a ribbon-cutting ceremony, music, speeches, Colonial re-enactors and crafters, period games and more.

Northrop House Museum is at 10 Route 37 Center in Sherman. Hours are 1 to 4 pm on the second weekend in July and August, or by appointment (call 860-354-3083). There is no museum admission charge; donations are welcome.

The Old Store Museum & Gift Shop, at 3 Route 37 Center, is open Thursday through Sunday, noon to 4 pm. Visit ShermanHistoricalSociety.org for more information.