Local Content and Community Reserve

The library is participating in Overdrive's Local Content and Community Reserve program which allows libraries to offer digitized documents, audio and video materials, in download formats.

So far, we have submitted three items--

A pamphlet on the 1911 dedication of the Soldier's Memorial on the East Haven Green, a ca. 1917 photograph of East Haven Boys prior to shipping out to serve in WW I, and a memorial pamphlet for the first boy killed in WW I from East Haven.

Below: East Haven boys serving in WW I

The library will be participating in the Local Content and Community Reserve program through OverDrive, a distributor of audio and e-books.

Archival material will be sent from the Hagaman Library in PDF form then changed into Adobe ebooks. Patrons will be able to browse, check-out and download these materials from the Hagaman website OverDrive link.

This will give patrons further accessibility to archival documents and information.

East Haven Photographs on Connecticut Treasures

It was gratifying to see some of the photographs from Donald V. Chidsey's Old Houses of East Haven up on the Treasures of Connecticut Libraries site. We look forward to seeing the entire work up on the site.

http://cslib.cdmhost.com/ctlibs/home.php

Treasures at The Hagaman

Here is another Civil War era treasure. A letter from Winfield Scott at West Point to A. Clark at Brevoort(?) House, N.Y. Again, we have an item of mystery. The text of the letter reads-

West Point, Sep. 10, 1864

Dear Sir: I thank you for your note.
I believe I have engaged apartment [sic] higher uptown.
Yrs. with esteem-
Winfield Scott

A. Clark, Esq.

Treasures at The Hagaman

In keeping with the Connecticut Treasures Project (see the 12/18/09 post) and the 150th anniversary of the Civil War, the library has some treasures of it's own to present on this blog.

Below is an 1863 letter calling up Hiram Jacobs of East Haven to military service.

It will be interesting to see if any further information on this individual can be found in either the library or the Historical Society.

Civil War Events at the New Haven Public Library

There will be two events on the Civil War at the New Haven Public Library, 133 Elm Street in New Haven.

On Saturday, May 21, at 10:30 am, Dave Koch will present “Connecticut African Americans in the Civil War.” An Assistant Professor of History at Housatonic Community College, Mr. Koch has offered discussions across the country and in Europe about our national historical sites. How black soldiers from Connecticut fought in this War is a compelling story, highlighting much of the best and worst of our country’s history. The Union side supported abolition of slavery, but not equality for African-Americans. In Connecticut, black free men were fighting for less pay (and much less pay-off) than their white counterparts—and despite the likelihood of savage reprisal if caught by Confederate soldiers.

On Saturday, June 4, 2-3 pm, Matthew Bartlett will present “From Colonial America to the Civil War,” an exploration of the historical roots of the War. A Meriden resident, Mr. Bartlett is author of a multi-volume series on the Civil War, The Gettysburg Chronicle (http://gettysburgchronicle.weebly.com).

Both programs are presented free of charge as part of the Connecticut Sesquicentennial Civil War initiative. Free parking is available. For more information please call the New Haven Public Library at 203-946-8835.

With the occurrence of 150th anniversary of the Civil War it was interesting to find this June 4th, 1937 East Haven Citizen article shown below, while working on a reference question concerning a soldier of WW II -




Caption below the photograph: Mr. Charles W. Grannis at the age of sixteen, taken at the time he enlisted in the Civil War.
The type states: Mr. Charles W. Grannis, 92, of Old Foxon Road, Foxon is the only survivor of the Civil War now living in the town of East Haven. He enlisted at the age of 16, at which time he ran away from home to join the Union Army. His father's efforts towards keeping him out of the war were fruitless, for Mr. Grannis returned to the army. He served during the whole four years of the war from 1861 to 1865. He was a member of the Tenth Connecticut, Company A, and was twice wounded, at Petersburg, Va., in 1863 and at Richmond, Va., April 2, 1864, nine days before the surrender of Lee.

Mr. Grannis is a member of the Admiral Foote Post, No 17, of New Haven, and is also a member of Lodge No. 63 A.F. and A.M. He has twice served East Haven as representative in the General Assembly, at Hartford, in 1895 and 1899, has served on the school board, and served as chairman of the Republican Town Committee for a period of eight years.

Despite his 92 years, Mr. Grannis is as chipper as a youngster, and it is hoped that he will live to see many more Memorial Day celebrations in East Haven.

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Central Connecticut State University has posted a number of events pertaining to the Civil War (see below) or see: http://finalsite.ccsu.edu/page.cfm?p=8704

Wednesday, May 11, 7:30 p.m. - Connecticut in the American Civil War – A lecture and book signing by Dr. Matthew Warshauer – Lewis S. Mills School Auditorium, Burlington.

Thursday, May 12, 7 p.m. – Connecticut in the American Civil War – A lecture and book signing by Dr. Matthew Warshauer – Old Saybrook Historical Society, Acton Library, Old Saybrook. http://www.oldsaybrookct.org/pages/oldsaybrookct_library/index

Friday, May 13, 2011; 6:00 PM. Woodford Descendents to Mark Their Civil War Ancestor’s Graves; GAR Medallion and Flag Placement. West Avon Cemetery, 280 Country Club Road. The public is invited to attend. Event will be held rain or shine. Information here.

Saturday, May 14 – 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. – Litchfield Awake! - Civil War Encampment on the Town Green in Litchfield, CT. Sponsored by the 2nd Heavy Artillery and the Litchfield Historical Society. http://www.the2dconn.com/CampDutton2011.htm

Sunday, May 15; 12 p.m. - 5 p.m. “Monumental Achievement: The Civil War and the Making of American Memory” - presentation by William Hosley, noted Connecticut historian - 2 p.m. Exhibit of a variety of Civil War-era toys and military memorabilia, including some collector’s items for opening day only. Ellsworth Memorial Homestead, 778 Palisado Avenue, Windsor, Connecticut. More information here and here.

Wednesday, May 18. 7:00 pm. The Power of the Press: Secession, the Lincoln Inauguration, Fort Sumter. Roseland Cottage Carriage Barn, 556 Route 169, Woodstock, Conn. 860-928-4074; Information here.

Thursday May 19, 2011, 12pm-1pm. Zachary Bodnar, the 2010-11 Gunn Scholar, lecture Gunn's Soldiers: Tales of Civil War Soldiers from The Gunnery. Gunn Memorial Museum, 5 Wykeham Road,Washington, CT 06793. www.gunnlibrary.org.

Saturday, May 21 10:30-11:30 AM CONNECTICUT AFRICAN AMERICANS IN THE CIVIL WAR, Housatonic Community College Assistant Professor David Koch, New Haven Public Library 203-946-8130 x203, : www.cityofnewhaven.com/library.

Saturday, May 28, 2011, 1 p.m. – Dedication of New Civil War Monument. West Cemetery, Memorial Boulevard, Bristol, Connecticut 06010. Contact: Robert T. Barnett, 105 Jerome Avenue, Bristol, Ct. 06010 robert105@netzero.com


JUNE


June 2011, the International Festival of Arts & Ideas will present an immersion experience entitled “Freedom’s Journey,” which encompasses a series of performances, ideas discussions, and tours that address the topic of the Civil War and the cultural heritage within the state of Connecticut. www.artidea.org

Saturday, June 4, 2-3 pm FROM COLONIAL AMERICA TO THE CIVIL WAR Matthew Bartlett, author of The Gettysburg Chronicle, will explore the historical roots of the Civil War. New Haven Public Library 203-946-8835 www.bartlettjune4.eventbrite.com

Thursday June 9, 2011 at 6:30pm, Matthew Warshauer, Professor of History at CCSU and co-chair of the Connecticut Civil War Commemoration Commission, will discuss his new book, Connecticut in the American Civil War: Slavery, Sacrifice and Survival. Gunn Memorial Museum, 5 Wykeham Road,Washington, CT 06793. www.gunnlibrary.org