GNACC: The Society Of The Founders Of Norwich Was Awarded A Grant To Upgrade The Exhibits At The Joseph Carpenter Silversmith Shop

Press release from the Greater Norwich Area Chamber of Commerce:

July 30, 2021

Norwich – A $3,975 Quick Grant from Connecticut Humanities to the Society of the Founders of Norwich will enable upgrades to the Norwich History exhibits at the Joseph Carpenter Silversmith Shop.

With content geared to Norwich curriculum but of interest to residents and metal workers, The Joseph Carpenter Silversmith Shop is unique in being one of the few remaining frame tradesmen shops still standing in New England.

In addition, the original primitive style forge built and used by the silversmith in 1772 is located in the building which has never been moved and still retains its original architectural features. The shop displays the early history of the tradesmen and inhabitants around the original settlement of Norwich.

Dayne Rugh, President of the Society of the Founders of Norwich comments, “We are incredibly thankful to Connecticut Humanities for this opportunity to open this property to the public for the first time since the Society acquired the property over 60 years ago. The Joseph Carpenter Silversmith Shop is an invaluable historic structure which will showcase the historic development of the Norwichtown Historic District. Coupled with the Norwich Heritage and Regional Visitors’ Center on the Norwichtown Green, we are steadily growing our public presence in league with the Norwich Historical Society to give our visiting public as many opportunities as possible to engage with our rich history.”

The Joseph Carpenter Silversmith Shop is currently open, free of charge, every Saturday from 11 am - 3 pm until Oct. 30. We are planning a 250th Anniversary reopening celebration in the Spring of 2022 to share the improvements made possible by Connecticut Humanities.

About The Society of the Founders of Norwich, CT

The Society of the Founders of Norwich, CT was founded October 10, 1901, primarily as a genealogical society for descendants of the 35 founders of Norwich. Today, it has evolved into a historical organization that owns and operates the Leffingwell House Museum. It’s mission is through the Leffingwell House Museum, the education and promotion of the history of Norwich. In addition, the Leffingwell House Museum also provides a safe and secure location for the historic artifacts and early documentation of Norwich, Connecticut.

About CT Humanities

Connecticut Humanities (CTH) is an independent, nonprofit affiliate of the National Endowment for the Humanities. CTH connects people to the humanities through grants, partnerships and collaborative programs. CTH projects, administration and program development are supported by state and federal matching funds, community foundations and gifts from private sources. Learn more by visiting cthumanities.org.

This press release was produced by the Greater Norwich Area Chamber of Commerce. The views expressed here are the author’s own.