On Thursday, December 7th at 1:00pm, the Town of Southbury will hold its eleventh and last History Talk, a series that began in February as part of our year-long 350th Anniversary Celebration. Titled “Native People of the Pomperaug”, this talk will take place in the Kingsley Room at the Southbury Library at 100 Poverty Road, and is free with registration.
350 years ago, British Colonial settlers first came to the valley where we now live. They were granted authority from the General Court to negotiate with the natives there to acquire property and establish a “Plantation”. Who were these native people? How did they interact with these newcomers? What became of them; what trace did they leave behind? Using ancient records, Southbury Town Historian John Dwyer will try to answer the question: “What Became of the Pootatucks?”
John Dwyer and his family came to Southbury in 1984 to move into his wife Lynn’s ancestral home. Their children were the 8th generation descendants to live there. The proximity to this heritage spurred an interest in antiquities that developed into an in-depth and ongoing study of local history.
New 350th Anniversary branded merchandise, including cocktail glasses and coasters, will be available at the Talk, in time for the holidays. Proceeds benefit the Southbury Historical Society. As with all Southbury Public Library programs, this event is free to attend and open to anyone regardless of their town residence. Registration is required as there is limited seating, at https://www.southburylibrary.org/event/native-people-pomperaug.
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 is co-chaired by John Dwyer and Kevin Bielmeier, with vice-chair Brian Jones, 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.