Naugatuck Historical Society Among CT Humanities Grant Recipients

Connecticut Humanities has announced that a dozen state organizations will share more than $37,500 in grant money to support humanities-based programming. The projects range from a pair of programs focusing on the history of the Naugatuck Valley to a series of events organized by Hartford Stage exploring the psychological impact of war.

The Naugatuck Historical Society is using a $1,470 grant to develop and market a pop-up exhibit at its temporary home at 171 Church Street. While the Tuttle House undergoes renovations over the next few years, the Historical Society will use the pop-up exhibit to feature Naugatuck history in four sections: Naugatuck in Pictures, Salem Bridge Clocks, Naugatuck Savings Bank and Do You Remember – a rotating selection of artifacts.

A $783 grant will fund a lecture by Naugatuck Valley historian Robert Novak. On December 10, Novak will speak to the Valley Arts Council in Derby about the history of Ansonia, Derby and Shelton. His talk will be part of Oil Drum Art’s Recognition Ceremony featuring oil drum art projects created by local middle and high school students. The free program begins at 6:30 p.m.

A $1,500 grant will support a series of powerful programs from the Hartford Stage Company entitled, “Seeking the Healing Community: Humanities Experiences for The Body of An American.” The programs will run in conjunction with the Hartford Stage production of “The Body of An American” from January 7-31, 2016, and explore the psychological after-effects of war. On January 11, playwright Dan O’Brien and photojournalist Paul Watson will share their PTSD experiences and recovery work in a free discussion, moderated by Hartford Hospital’s Psychiatrist-in-Chief Dr. Harold Schwartz. On January 12 and January 21, a moderated post-show discussion with the audience will follow the performance of play at Hartford Stage. And on January 14, O’Brien will read poetry from his collection “War Reporter” at 7 p.m. at The Mark Twain House.

The Greenwich Historical Society will use the largest grant – nearly $10,000 – to fund a comprehensive assessment of its collections. This assessment will help the Historical Society identify themes for future exhibitions and provide an understanding of long term space and gallery needs, information which will be helpful as it prepares for the final phase of a major capital campaign.

Other grant recipients in this round of Connecticut Humanities funding include organizations in Bridgeport, Cheshire, Hartford, Kent, Salisbury, West Hartford and Weston.