Archived Website Posts
2022
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This page contains the website posts made during 2022. Some of
them are also included in the topics covered in the top menu.
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| CLICK on this image to learn more about the GreatGive. |
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A Message from HHS President Ken Minkema
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| 95 Ives St. |
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An Update on the Elam Ives House
The Hamden Historical Society has received some inquiries from the public expressing concern about the renovations occurring the Elam Ives House, at 95 Ives Street. Is the house being torn down? Moved? Happily, neither of these seems to be the case. The Regional Water Authority, which owned the house up till a short time ago, has sold the property to a private individual who, as far as can be determined, is restoring the structure, which has been deteriorating over the past decade and more. That individual has signed a conservation and preservation restriction--a good sign. Some fifteen years ago, the Regional Water Authority and the town of Hamden had struck a bargain: the RWA would make the property available at no cost, and the town would maintain it while respecting the restrictions on the watershed land on which the house is situated. Unfortunately, the town did not live up to its obligations, which forced the RWA to sell the property. The Hamden Historical Society and the Hamden Historic Properties Commission do what they can, but, frankly, we are challenged. Neither organization has the assets to purchase historical structures or the legal means to prevent the destruction of our town's historical structures and sites. How can you help? Become a member of the Historical Society (hamdenhistoricalsociety.org), attend its meetings and those of the Hamden Historic Properties Commission (which meets the third Monday of every month at 7:00 p.m.), and let your town officials and representatives know about your concerns. Get involved!
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| Paul Saubestre |
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Hamden Street Names
Paul Saubestre's ongoing research into the Hamden streets named for presidents of the United States has led him into a much wider project. He is compiling a list of the origins of the names all Hamden streets.
CLICK HERE for the Main Page with links to all Hamden street names in alphabetical order.
Do you have any comments or corrections to the street information? If so, please send them to Paul at pausau@sbcglobal.net.
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| Mayor Lucian A. DiMeo (1974) |
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Former Hamden Mayor Lucian A. DiMeo Passes Away
Served as Hamden's third mayor from 1973 to 1979
HAMDEN, CT, April 26 - Former Hamden Mayor Lucian A. DiMeo passed away last Saturday, April 23rd, at Connecticut Hospice in Branford. Mr. DiMeo, a Republican, served as Hamden's third mayor from 1973-1979. He also served in the Connecticut House of Representatives from 1971 to 1973 and again from 1984 to 1988.
Mayor DiMeo had a strong sense of community service. He was a board director at St. Raphael’s Hospital, and traveled to Haiti twice as a missionary to help with the construction of an outpatient clinic for tuberculosis at the Albert Schweitzer Hospital. Mayor DiMeo served in the Army and was an active member of Rotary. He was named Citizen of the Year in 1985 by the Hamden Chamber of Commerce.
Born March 30, 1930, son of the late James and Mary Aiello DiMeo, he was the brother of Candida Simeone and Louise Carloni (Anthony). Father of Denise Kelly (Brett Kippur), Catherine Craige (Sandy), Lucien DiMeo (Susan); grandfather of Sarah Nesheiwat (Sharif), Caitlin Pinard (John Markus), Daisy Koltov (Michael), Nicole Harilik (Justin), Lucien DiMeo (Sarah), Amanda Matthewson (Craige), David Craige (Sophia), Rose Craige, James DiMeo (Rebecca), William DiMeo; 16 great grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews.
Please keep the DiMeo family in your thoughts and prayers at this sad time.
Lucian A. DiMeo complete obituary - CLICK HERE - New Haven Register
Revised 4/28/2022
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Hamden Pastor Authored Famous Lenten Hymn
With Ash Wednesday ushering in the 2022 Lenten Season this past week, Paul Saubestre contributes this wonderful bit of Hamden history previously known to only a few. CLICK HERE to learn more about Hamden minister Charles Everest and the beautiful hymn that was his brainchild.
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| Paul Saubestre |
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Presidents' Day 2022
Presidential Streets in Hamden
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A favorite project of Hamden Historical Society Researcher Paul Saubestre is researching the origins of Hamden's street names. During a recent revision of his original article, Paul updated information on the origins of those streets with the same names as former U.S. presidents. CLICK HERE.
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| Whitneyville Congregational Church, built c. 1833 |
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Generous gift honoring Nancy Farnan received
from Whitneyville United Church of Christ
Organized in 1797 and later known as simply "the Whitneyville Congregational Church," members the Whitneyville United Church of Christ recently decided to dissolve their 225-year old congregation and donate the church's assets to other non-profit organizations.
In addition to the many of the church's records, the Hamden Historical Society received the church's very generous monetary gift, with the following noted in a cover letter from their board of directors, "The members of WUCC are grateful to the Hamden Historical Society for maintaining its records and making them accessible to the public and researchers. It is hoped that this donation will help the Hamden Historical Society to continue its important work on behalf of WUCC and the larger community."
The letter continued, "This donation is made in honor of Nancy Farnan, the WUCC Historian and valued member."
The Hamden Historical Society is deeply grateful to the Whitneyville United Church of Christ for these donations. The funds will help us to continue to preserve the church's history, ensuring proper and adequate storage of the church's historical documents for the benefit of the public and future researchers. Thank you.
Posted 1/26/2022
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| Richard and Lorraine DeNicola and HHS Archivist Kathy Lindbeck |
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Recently, a large cache of local political memorabilia was donated to the Hamden Historical Society by Richard and Lorraine DeNicola. Richard "Dick" DeNicola is the son of Hamden's first mayor, John DeNicola Sr., and brother of Hamden's 6th and 9th mayors John DeNicola Jr. and Barbara DeNicola.
The items came from the Dante Place home of the DeNicola family since 1939, when the elder John DeNicola was just getting his feet wet in Hamden politics. The home was last occupied by Barbara DeNicola, who passed away last year.
Included were dozens of 8x10 newspaper "glossies" from the New Haven Journal-Courier and Register. There also were several large bound scrapbooks of articles from the aforementioned newspapers as well as The Hamden Chronicle.
One surprise donation was the shovel used at the 1961 ground breaking for Section B of the Hamden Mart (below).
Once these items are catalogued and the photos scanned, we hope to make them available to researchers. Thank you, Mr. and Mrs. DeNicola, for this gift of Hamden history.
Posted 1/24/2022
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| CLICK TO ENLARGE - Hamden Mart "Section B" Ground-Breaking Ceremonial Shovel - Dated March 16, 1961 |
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| CLICK on this image to go to the article |
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Tony Griego has written another terrific article about the David Atwater House (c.1646-1905) on State Street, believed to be the first dwelling built in what is now the town of Hamden.
Posted 1/18/2022
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Vera!
Hamden Town Clerk since 1995, Vera Morrison handed over the keys to the office to her successor Karimah Mickens on Sunday, November 28th, following a remarkable 26-year stint that hasn't been equalled since 1904.
On her last working day, Vera sat down with the Town Historian and reflected on her career as Hamden Town Clerk.
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Dickerman Family 19th Century Stereoscope Donated
Joan Lyke, 4th great-granddaughter of Jonathan Dickerman II, recently donated this beautiful 19th century stereoscope viewer and several stereo slides to the Hamden Historical Society.
CLICK HERE for more photos, including two views of other Dickerman family items that Mrs. Lyke plans to donate to the Society. The slide in the photo appears to be an 1890s 3D view of Spruce Bank Road.
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| Jonathan Dickerman House (1792) |
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The Hamden Historical Society
SUMMER 2022 SCHEDULE
Jonathan Dickerman House
and
Talmadge Cider Mill Barn
105 Mount Carmel Avenue
will be open to the public
Sunday afternoons
1:00-4:00 p.m.
during July and August
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Also by appointment
Inquiries should be sent to
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No Admission Charge
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