Lush gardens adorned ”Pa Fisk’s backyard.” Throughout the summer he invited the public to stroll through the beauty of the 3000 plantings. He also arranged with the Bijou Theater to show outdoor motion pictures on his grounds for local residents.

Rags-to-riches George C. Fisk (1831-1917) forged the prosperity of the 19th century North End. As president of Wason Manufacturing (railroad cars), his work enabled countless jobs as well as public leisure. He built a casino for community activities (gambling not included).

The unusual perspective looks westward from the steeple side of the church. The parish hall is on the right.

A wintry view of the North End’s St. George Greek Orthodox Cathedral c. 1892. Originally the home of a non-denominational congregation known as Memorial Church, the building dates back to 1869.

A few folks will remember the corner of Main and Court Streets before the Mass Mutual Center (originally the Civic Center): Haynes on the left and Five Cent Savings Bank and Schlatter’s Florist on the right. The founder of Schlatter’s was a gardener on a businessman’s estate.

A child named Edith sent this card in 1916 to a woman in the hospital. Edith was undoubtedly pleased with our parks and playgrounds. Although our schools may not have made her happy, they were among the best in the land. What pleases people about our town today?

Our 250th national anniversary is this year. Check out these events.

“Uncle Jerry” and “Aunt Phoebe” Warriner ran the popular 19th century inn known as the Warriner House, but lived around the corner on Howard Street. When the Swedish Nightingale Jenny Lind came to town, she stayed in their home. She sang to local school children from the balcony.

Both men contributed generously to the community. The education of many continue to benefit from the funds the Horace Smith Fund. Wesson Hospital is the better known of Mr. Wesson’s many benevolences.

Gunsmiths Horace Smith and Daniel Wesson created a business partnership that evolved into world-renowned Smith & Wesson arms. Mr. Wesson’s Maple St. mansion and the steeple of South Congregational Church can be seen in the distance. The firm employed countless skilled workers.

It is worth noting that the congregation worshipped in what was known as plantation style. Loud singing and vocal praise were heard as late as 10:00 p.m. The fence blocked sunlight from the church but also softened the sounds of the late night meetings.

Rev. Geda tried negotiating but to little avail. Finally the state legislature passed the Black Fence Act of 1888 and from then on such nuisance fences were outlawed.

The Loring Street Church (African Methodist Episcopal) no longer stands but its story made history. Newly freed slaves formed the congregation after the Civil War. Antagonistic neighbors built a10’ high fence to block the church windows and painted it black. The pastor fought it.

Some sources say that button remnants of ivory, hard rubber and mother-of-pearl lie in the mud on the river bottom.

Our South End once buzzed with manufacturing. Two brothers began making buttons in 1848 at the foot of Howard Street. Newell Bros.Manufacturing employed as many as 400 workers producing thousands of cloth covered buttons daily. Another specialty was ivory.

Check out the Quadrangle (then Library Square) in 1899: only the pre-Carnegie Library and two museums (the G.W.V. Smith Art Museum and the Science Museum). Beautiful homes lined the adjacent streets.

An opportunity to learn about our buildings.

William Pynchon, of course, was our founding father. Ted “Dr. Seuss” Geisel attained well-deserved celebrity and certainly benefits our tourism. What might we do, however, to better honor Mr. Pynchon who braved the challenges of life in the 1636 wilderness of our valley?

The Connecticut Valley Historical Society built the stately William Pynchon Building on the Quadrangle to house its collection of artifacts and records. The dedication took place on December 21, 1927. In more recent times, the building became the Dr. Seuss Museum.

During the war, the museum worked hand in hand with the USO to sponsor dances (in the main court area), concerts, snack bar, movies, games and plays. An annual “I am an American” celebration with a parade and related activities was held on the quadrangle grounds.