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| LOOKING BACK AT OUR HISTORY | ||||||
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As 2007 marked the 50th anniversary of the MHS, it seems appropriate to provide brief excerpts from earlier remarks made about our history by Annarie P. Cazel in 1972 and Victor Scottron in 1992. Both Annarie and Vic were charter members and officers of the Historical Society. "The MHS was founded in 1957 by a handful of people interested in the history of the town. The night of the first meeting, in April 1957, was marked by a torrential thunderstorm and a town meeting — but thirty-five people appeared out of the storm after the town meeting. All agreed that a local historical society was a good idea. In due course, Articles of Incorporation and By-Laws were drawn up. (Cazel) Fred A. Cazel, Jr. was elected the first president. The MHS was founded to serve the following purposes: "to discover, collect and preserve whatever pertains to the history of the Town of Mansfield and the surrounding area; to promote and encourage historical research in all its aspects and to make available to the members of the Society and to the public the results of this research; to hold meetings and to discuss such matters as are of interest to members of the Society and the public; and, in general, to carry on any or all activities appropriate for an historical society." (Scottron) "At a meeting on October 17, 1957, the Society decided to look into the possibility of acquiring the Chapin House, also known as the Williams-Salter House (built 1711), in Mansfield Center. Please note that we had 29 members and $27 in total assets — and were faced with a $2 bill for the Incorporation Fee. Shall we say, This was the beginning of a dream?" (Scottron) "[In the early years,] the regular public meetings [were] the most visible continuous program of the Society. Speakers dealt with a wide variety of subjects of both local and historical interest. The summer meetings [were] picnics and tours at home and away on roughly alternate years." (Cazel)
"At its annual meeting in September 1961 the society accepted the town’s offer of the use of the Eagleville Schoolhouse [built 1869], which had recently been discontinued as a school. During the early summer of 1962, a great deal of work was done by the members, the Community Services Committee of the Echo Grange, and a professional painter, to transform the schoolhouse into a museum, and a gala opening was held August 11, 1962, with 140 guests in attendance." (Cazel) "[When we opened the museum,] we estimated that the budget would go from about $100/year to $300/year. Edith Mason was quite upset that we would triple the budget in one year. Actually, she was quite right, as the budget actually went to $600 when we acquired the building." (Scottron) "The Newsletter of the society began irregularly [in 1962] and has appeared regularly [since 1965]. In 1960 the society published A Bibliography of the History of Mansfield by Ruth Munsell, and in 1964 a booklet The Wilbur Cross Centennial Celebration, 1862-1962." (Cazel) These would be the first of many publications. "The society has received [several] Awards of Merit from the Connecticut League of Historical Societies. The first, in 1964, was for ‘Outstanding contribution to the development of interest in local history, and particularly for the extensive and sustained program of historical research and publications and museum maintenance.’ The second, in 1970, was for keeping the history of the community constantly before the public, particularly by the furniture and furnishings exhibit of that year. In 1965, the Society received an award from the American Association of State and Local History ‘for a dynamic and comprehensive program of lectures, seminars and research in local history and for playing the major role in the organization of a local conservation and historic trust [Joshua’s Trust].’" (Cazel) The Connecticut League recognized the MHS with additional Awards of Merit in 1976, 1979, 1981, 1984 and 2002 for its publications. "In 1976, with renovation of the Storrs Grammar School into a new Town Hall and Office Building, a committee headed by Roberta Smith succeeded in acquiring the use of the old Town Office Building for the Historical Society. The move was completed in the spring of 1980." (Scottron) Martin Berliner, then Town Manager, was especially helpful in expediting the arrangements. In May 1979, the Historical Society received its most significant gift. "The George Gurley Gift [a bequest] was 15% of the residue of his estate, or about $165,000. He had been associated with the Willimantic Trust Company from 1919-1971, 52 years, and had gone from office boy to president." (Scottron) His bequest would form the basis for our endowment fund and make a vital impact on the future growth of the Society. The Mansfield Historical Society has come a long way since its humble beginnings in 1957. We hope that you will consider becoming a member, participating in our activities, volunteering on any of our committees, or simply stopping by to visit! Edited by Norman D. Stevens, Programs Chair See also: a Chronological History of MHS. |
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