On September 25, 1937, Wolfgang Jung purchased 178 acres of land in Southbury for the German-American Bund, intent on building a Nazi camp. The residents of Southbury quickly united to fight back. A zoning commission was established and its first ordinance forbade land usage in the town for “military training or drilling with or without arms except by the legally constituted armed forces of the United States of America.” The ruling effectively closed Southbury to the Bund.
Now 85 years later, many events are being held to commemorate what Southbury residents did, recommit to those core values and proudly share this unique story with neighbors and friends.
Events will take place over the weekend of November 11 – 13, 2022 and include, among others: a film showing, panel discussions, a commemorative dinner, a dedication of road marker and a hike through the part of the original property.
The Southbury Library is also holding a Special World War II Film Series during the month of November.
All the weekend’s events, except for the Commemorative Dinner on Saturday night, are free. To ensure that all participants can be accommodated, advanced registration is requested for some of the events. Deadline to register is November 9, 2022.
Come to be inspired and learn. Go to southbury-ct.org/1937 for more information, all the scheduled events and registrations.
The events are coordinated by: Pomperaug Regional School District 15; Town of Southbury; B’nai Israel of Southbury; Southbury Economic Development Commission; Southbury Community Trust Fund; Southbury Historical Society; South Britain Congregational Church; Tribury Rotary Club; United Church of Christ - Southbury; Church of the Epiphany; St. James Lutheran Church; Mattatuck Unitarian Universalist Society; The Lutheran Home of Southbury; Mid-South Catholic Church; Southbury Land Trust.
The events are sponsored by: Jewish Federation of Western Connecticut; Southbury Community Trust Fund; Cohen and Wolf P.C; Giuliano Richardson and SFARA LLC; Joseph Bette Realtors, Inc; O&G Industries; The Jones Financial Group; Aradia Farm, LLC; Good News Restaurant and Bar; Heritage Village Master Association; Ion Bank; Kevin Jennings and Jeff Davis; On the Mend Medical Supplies & Equipment; Perry Kest, DDS; Señor Pancho’s Southbury; Southbury Democratic Town Committee; Southbury Economic Development Commission; Bennett Sullivan Associates; Carmondy, Torrance, Sandak & Hennessey LLP; Carrington Law Firm; Gager, Bower and Scalzo; Mitchell Farm; Southbury Plaza; Prime Publisher/Voices.