On Saturday, March 11th from 1:00pm – 3:00pm the Town of Southbury will hold a Civic Day as part of its year-long 350th anniversary celebration. The event is free with registration and will take place inside Southbury’s Town Hall at 501 Main Street South.
Special guest, David K. Merrill, painter and Southbury resident, will speak and provide a personal tour of his large-scale mural that has graced the stairwell in Town Hall since 1978. The mural depicts forty-two scenes of Southbury through the seasons and was his first of many he painted for municipalities throughout the area, along with thousands of individual paintings. Following the tour, the painter will be on hand to sign a book about his work, available for purchase at the event with all proceeds going to charity. Images from his Southbury mural will also be available as notecards, benefitting the Southbury Historical Society.
Town Historian, John Dwyer and former Town Clerk of Southbury Lynn Dwyer, will present “Historical Events Impacting Southbury Government: Tales from the Town Journals” on the influence key historical events, such as the Civil War and WWII, had on government. First Selectman Manville will join in on governing though the pandemic, as well as providing some introductory remarks at the event.
Attendees will also be led on tours throughout Town Hall, with information on each department area, a highlight being a visit to the Town Vault, within the Town Clerk’s office. The Vault contains memorable artifacts and historic documents of the Town of Southbury.
Following the tours, there will be a meet and greet, with opportunities for voter registration and to volunteer to serve on Town boards and commissions. Refreshments will be provided by Nardelli’s of Southbury.
Spaces are limited. Register at www.southbury-ct.org/350-event-registration.
Artist David K. Merrill in 1978 and 2023
The Town of Southbury is holding events and activities all year long to celebrate 350 years of community, culture and history (1673-2023), aimed at highlighting the past and progress of the one and only Southbury.
The 350th Anniversary Steering Committee consists of John Dwyer and Kevin Bielmeier (co-chairs), Brian Jones (vice-chair), Justin Bette, Lynn Dwyer, Melinda Elliott, Michael Ganem, Kara Kenney, Mary Korsu, and Gosia Liedlich.
To learn more about the 350th Anniversary visit: www.southbury-ct.org/350