A Celebration One Hundred Years in the Making

Madison, CT - This year marks the hundredth anniversary of the founding of the Madison Historical Society (MHS) -- the oldest civic organization in town. The MHS has grown from a small group of friends and neighbors interested in sharing stories from the past to a vibrant institution dedicated to celebrating and commemorating the town’s history.

As part of the yearlong centennial festivities, the MHS is preparing to “take over” the town during the Fourth of July holiday. A pop-up exhibition of vintage flags in the Scranton Library’s Hull Building will set the stage for a patriotic week that highlights the important role the MHS plays in safeguarding the town’s historic treasures.

Large blowup vintage photographs and postcards depicting the downtown through the decades will be on display in storefronts on the Boston Post Road beginning on June 30. “We were blown away by the support of the downtown merchants -- all of whom were willing to either display a photo or collection item in their storefronts to recognize our milestone birthday,” says Nancy Smith, the centennial committee chair. The downtown photo project, completed with enthusiastic assistance from the Charlotte L. Evarts Memorial Archives, was made possible by a grant from Seashore Construction.

A mini exhibit at Peoples Bank on display in July tells the story of Madison’s Summer Colony. This colorful and informative exhibition celebrates Madison’s transformation in the last half of the 19th century, from a community on the wane, with young people leaving town for jobs in manufacturing centers - to its discovery by the growing middle class as a place to vacation. It explores the ways the community responded to the needs and desires of the vacationers and cottagers who came to the shoreline for rest and recreation.

On July 1 the celebration continues with a special fundraiser at R. J. Julia Booksellers, which will donate 15% of purchases made by shoppers who mention the Madison Historical Society when making their purchases. This “Day of Shopping” event is one of the many ways the bookseller supports local non-profits. Signs placed at the counters will remind customers of this special program.

Later that day, at the highly anticipated Madison Cultural Arts Concert on the Green, the Wallingford Symphony Orchestra will perform several musical selections from the past 100 years in recognition of the Society’s centennial. The concert program will feature famous works from every decade from the 1920s through the present day. In addition, the Farmington Valley Chorus, an all-female group of performers who sing a cappella in the four-part barbershop style, will delight listeners with their musical stylings.

Most notably, the MHS will be honored as the Grand Marshal of the Madison Exchange Club’s Fourth of July parade. Look for Society members and trustees dressed in vintage costumes and sporting patriotic bowler hats. Some daring members may even don vintage bathing suits in honor of the Society’s centennial theme of “One Hundred Years on the Water.” The parade, which kicks off at 11 am, will also feature vintage vehicles and a commemorative float featuring significant people and events from Madison’s rich history. Other civic organizations will recognize the Society’s milestone birthday in unique and creative ways.
For information on the centennial events planned throughout the year, please visit the Madison Historical Society’s website at www.madisonhistory.org or call 203-245-4567.