Before SONO Was SONO

In celebration of our tenth year as a nonprofit
organization and Preservation Month 2013, the Norwalk Preservation Trust
presents “Before SONO Was SONO,” a special showing of the 1986 film, Survival of a Small City, followed by a
discussion by some of those who appeared in the film and a walk down Washington
Street to Donovan’s for a toast to the preservation of SONO.

 In the early 1980s, the City of Norwalk, led
by newly elected Mayor Bill Collins, began an effort to rehabilitate the
historic neighborhood around Washington Street in South Norwalk.  The result of that effort is the successful
and vibrant area that we now call SONO. It was not an easy task and the original Norwalk Preservation Trust was
founded by Valle Fay and others to help preserve the area.  It was difficult to find a developer who

understood the profit potential in historic preservation.  It was equally difficult to convince the
residents of the area that this project, which would require them to find new
places to live, was good for the city. 
Norwalk native Pablo Frasconi, son of renowned artist and Village Creek
resident Antonio Frasconi, and Nancy Salzer documented part of the process with
their 1986 film, Survival of a Small
City.  In this film, they explore the

effect of the project on Washington Street residents and business owners.  They show us the process and its results
through interviews with residents of the community, Mayor Collins, former NEON
Director Bobby Burgess, Norwalk Preservation Trust President Valle Fay,
architectural historian Mimi Findlay and others.  The film has been called, “A small gem…” and  has been cited as offering, “…unique insights into the challenges of
preservation.  It brings into play all
the community politics, history, aesthetics and economic analyses that are as
much a part of preservation as they are a part of life.”  The film has been honored by the Museum of
Modern Art, The American Film Festival, The International Festival of Films on
Architecture and the Margaret Mead Film Festival.  It has also been shown on the Public
Broadcasting System. 

                Mayor Collins,
Mr. Burgess, Mrs. Findley, Frank Fay and others will lead a discussion
following the film.  After the screening
and discussion, everyone is invited to walk down Washington Street to
Donovan’s, SONO’s oldest bar and restaurant, to hear owner Richard Ball’s
stories of the transformation and join in a Toast to Preservation. 

     A ticket for one drink is included in the
admission price of $20 for the general public and $10 for NPT members. Tickets
and memberships are available online and at the door.

    This event is made possible by the TR SONO Partners, LLC with

support from the Norwalk Public Library and Donovan’s Restaurant.  More information at www.norwalkpreservation.org.


Norwalk Preservation
Trust is a nonprofit
organization that works to preserve Norwalk’s irreplaceable historic buildings and neighborhoods by raising awareness, partnering with other organizations and
taking appropriate action when necessary.