The Town of Southbury is holding a year-long series of events and activities to celebrate 350 years of community, culture and history (1673-2023), aimed at highlighting the past and progress of the one and only Southbury.
“We want the entire community to be involved,” said First Selectman, Jeffrey Manville. “By celebrating this important year in our history, it gives us the opportunity to come together as a Town, reflect on the past, and recognize what a special place Southbury is today.” A volunteer steering committee has organized events for every month of the year, with more being added, including a snow and ice festival, history talks, history walks, restaurant week, a display of memories, historical photography exhibit, quilt project, musical performances, vintage car show, a time-capsule, plus the annual Southbury Celebration and Memorial Day Parade.
The 350th Anniversary Celebration kicks-off with an event at the Southbury Library on January 14th from 1:00 – 2:30pm in the Kingsley Room. Introductory speeches will be followed by a musical journey through history called, “An American Pop Music Time Machine” performed by Rick Spencer and Dawn Indermuehle. This event is free to attend and open to anyone, regardless of residency, with registration using the link below.
In 1673, a group of colonists from Stratford travelled up the river that we know today as the Housatonic in order to erect a new settlement in the Pomperaug Valley, which was negotiated with the Pootatuck Native Americans. After an initial day of exploration, these religious dissidents spent the night under a white oak tree on an old riverside path. That tree stood for many years more on Crook Horn Road by Settlers Park, in what was to become the Town of Southbury.
To learn more about the 350th Anniversary visit: https://www.southbury-ct.org/350
Registration Link: https://www.southburylibrary.org/event/southbury-350th-anniversary-kickoff-american-pop-music-time-machine