here - Community Foundation of Greater New Britain

6
Preserving the Past, Enriching the Future
T
he ties between our past, our present and our future
are fundamental to American life. No thoughtful parent,
no inspired teacher, no successful entrepreneur, no
responsible civic servant raises a healthy family, teaches
a wide-eyed class, runs a growing business or helps
build a vital community without reverence for history,
heritage and the lessons they impart.
The good people of Southington know of their
SOUTHINGTON
HISTORICAL
SOCIETY AND
MUSEUM
The Sylvia Bradley Memorial is home to the
Southington Historical Society and Museum,
which completes its full renovation and opens to
the public in the summer of 2008. The Community
Foundation views the Southington Historical
Society’s efforts to preserve the past as an
investment in the future.
Our Donors (Cont.)
Greg and Barbara Howey
Janis C. Jerman
Dennis and Mary Keenan
Bob and Janet Knaus
Bob and Kathie Laundy
Carlos P. Lavado
Sandie and Tim Lavoy
Marcia Lechowicz
Edward F. Lindeman
Angelo Martone, Sr.
Mrs. Robert A. Miller, III
Mary G. Murphy
Adam Muszynski
Lorraine Florio Olson
Painting & Decorating, Inc., Peter M. King
heritage, and the important role it
plays in what Southington is today and
can be tomorrow. And in the summer
of 2008, that heritage will be on display
for all to treasure and enjoy, thanks in
part to the assistance of the Community
Foundation of Greater New Britain.
With a strong cadre of volunteer enthusiasts, critical and
ongoing sustenance from the Town of Southington and its citizens,
and the final piece of the puzzle – a $17,000 grant from the
Community Foundation – the Southington Historical Society and
Museum has completed its long-awaited “extreme” makeover.
Located in the circa-1902, Greek Revival-style Sylvia Bradley
Memorial at 239 Main Street, the Town’s former public library, this
sparkling showcase of Southington heritage is ready and waiting to
inspire visitors young and old alike.
“This building is a repository of everything
from the people of Southington from Day 1,”
says Society President Robert Cusano, who
like other Society volunteers has dedicated
enormous time and energy over the last
several years overseeing the restoration
Mr. and Mrs. Anthony Pappalardo
Mr. and Mrs. Bruce Post
Bob and Lisa Primmer
Rapid Raceways, Rick Raducha
Judge Max H. Reicher
Gregory and Pamela Reynolds
Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Reynolds
Joan Rhinesmith
Gary and Dolores Robinson
Marco and Wanda Savona
Andrew and Janet Scribe
G. Franklin Smith
Peter Spano, Spano Printing Co., Inc.
Robert P. Sperry
Story Brothers, Inc.
of the Society’s home. “Our collection tells the world where
we’ve been and how we’ve gotten to where we are.”
The Museum houses a collection of some 8,000
artifacts from Southington’s past, ranging from a collec-
tion of more than 2,000 Native American arrowheads
and tools to a wooden door from a 17th-century fort
on Pudding Hill. The Museum will offer a wide array of
standing exhibits, and will be home to a variety of lecture,
presentation and special event programming, as well.
The first major exhibit at the Museum, “Made in
Southington – Sold to the World,” will focus on Southington’s
industrial history. Future exhibits will highlight, among other subjects,
the Town’s role in major wars; the merchants of Southington;
and Southington agriculture – including its famous apple orchards.
Society members have even planted apple trees on the Museum’s
property in honor of the town’s thriving apple industry.
“This will be not only a museum, but a research and cultural
center,” said Cusano. “We’ll have two computers for public use.
Town organizations can use the facility for meetings. We want to
stream live video of presentations to schools and senior centers.
“It is a special place, a time capsule for the future,” adds
Cusano. “And for all of our volunteers, it is a labor of love.”
The Southington
Historical Society and
Museum houses some
8,000 artifacts, such as
this World War lI - era
flight jacket.
Mr. and Mrs. Benjamin T. Taylor
Steven Tillona, LPL Financial Services
Dr. and Mrs. Robert A. Voroscak
E. Finlay and Betty N. Whittlesey
Arthur and Mary Yeterian
Ellen and Peter Zeman
Early Childhood Collaborative of Southington
First Years First Fund of the
Community Foundation of
Greater New Britain
William Caspar Graustein Memorial Fund
Alma Exley Scholarship Fund
Larry Albert
Lorraine M. Aronson