History – New Canaan Answer Book

What is the town’s history?

New Canaan's humble beginnings date back to 1731 when Connecticut’s colonial legislature established Canaan Parish as a religious entity in northwestern Norwalk and northeastern Stamford. The right to form a Congregational church was granted to the few families scattered through the area. As bona fide inhabitants of Norwalk or Stamford, depending on where their houses stood, Canaan Parish settlers still had to vote, pay taxes, serve on juries, and file deeds in their home towns. What no one foresaw in 1731 was that the boundaries of Canaan Parish 70 years later would become the boundaries of a new Connecticut town. 

New Canaan was incorporated in 1801 and the first town meeting was held on June 29 of that year. Because Canaan Parish was not planned as a town, upon incorporation New Canaan found itself without a village, a main street, a town hall, or a central common or town green. Until the Revolutionary War, New Canaan was primarily an agricultural community. After the war, New Canaan’s major industry was shoe making. As New Canaan’s shoe business gathered momentum early in the 19th Century, instead of a central village, regional settlements of clustered houses, mills and schools developed into distinct district centers with the addition of a general store. Some of the districts were centered on Ponus Ridge, West Road, Oenoke Ridge, Smith Ridge, Talmadge Hill and Silvermine. The village of New Canaan was to grow later from a similar district setup that proved to be located more strategically than its peripheral counterparts. In 1825 the first town house (now the historical society’s library) was built on Oenoke Ridge. 

With the advent of the railroad to New Canaan in 1868, many of New York City’s wealthy residents discovered the quiet, peaceful area and built magnificent summer homes. After World War II, the housing boom brought more residents and many of the summer visitors settled year-round, commuting to their jobs in New York and creating the residential community that exists today.

In 1916, the first carol sing took place on God's Acre and in 1928 the first traffic light in town was installed. The now iconic Moreno clock, standing at the intersection of South Avenue and Elm Street, was installed as recently as 1997 in honor of the late First Selectman, Louis Moreno, and in 2003, New Canaan elected its first female selectman.

Where did the name come from?

Canaan was a region within Norwalk according to the land records, and the Congregationalists chose the biblical name Canaan Parish when we became a parish. Later, when the town was formed in 1801, it was called New Canaan since Connecticut already had a Canaan in the northwest part of the state. 

Where did the nickname - "Next Station to Heaven" - originate? 

There are many theories, with the most common and likely being that New Canaan's train station is at the end of the railroad line, situated in close proximity to the three churches up the hill, known as "God's Acre." Hence, the town became known as "the next station to Heaven."

Who were the first town officials?

Capt. Isaac Richards, Dr. Joseph Silliman and Col. Joseph Seely were the first, second and third selectmen, respectively. 

Samuel St. John, Capt. Richards’ son-in-law, was the town clerk. Eighteen other men were appointed to various positions, but there are no records of who they were. 

What are some historic points of interest?

Waveny Mansion, on South Avenue, was built in 1912 by Lewis H. Lapham on what had been Prospect Farm, an early summer estate. In 1967 the town acquired the “castle” and 300 acres of surrounding parkland. 

The Little Red Schoolhouse on Carter Street was built in 1865. It was in use for kindergarten through fifth grade until 1957. It was the last one-room school in use in Connecticut. Through the years, it was maintained by The Friends of the Little Red Schoolhouse. It is now a permanent exhibit and program space for the New Canaan Historical Society. It will be opened on special occasions. 

The sculptor John Rogers’ studio, a National Historic Landmark, and the 1799 Rock School House are on the grounds of the New Canaan Historical Society. 

The Philip Johnson Glass House, also an historical landmark, is on 47-acres off Ponus Ridge Road and is available for tours.

The Gores Pavillion in Irwin Park, known as one of "The Moderns" and built in 1959, will be open for visits in late 2009.

The New Canaan Railroad Station, built in 1868, is one of the earliest surviving stations in Connecticut. Its Gothic Revival style architecture is not usually seen in train station design in the state. 

Is there any place in New Canaan on the National Register of Historic Places?

New Canaan has two National Landmark buildings, the John Rogers’ Studio and the Philip Johnson Glass House. Also listed on the national register are the Hanford Davenport House on Oenoke Ridge, The Maples Inn,  the Merritt Parkway and two private homes. 

What are the oldest houses in town?

The oldest documented surviving house is the Benedict-Eels-Thatcher house on Carter Street, built in 1724. Throughout town the New Canaan Historical Society has placed plaques on 90 houses that are 100 years old or older, with an additional 100 homes that have not yet received plaques.  Thirty existing houses date from 1772-1773 and are known as the Drummond Visitation Homes. 

Are there any historic districts in town?

Yes. The historic district encompasses 21 buildings along Main Street, Oenoke Ridge, Park Street, and St. John’s Place. Included in the historic district are St. Michael’s Lutheran Church, the Congregational Church, and the Town House, built as New Canaan’s first town hall in 1825. 

Do any laws protect old houses?

One law puts the brakes on demolitions. Applications for a demolition permit must be filed, published, and posted at the site. The New Canaan Historical Society, Historic District Commission, and any taxpayer who requests it will be notified of any applications. Any objections must be made in writing within 15 days of the application. An objection will delay the demolition by 90 days. 

Are there any town histories?

There are many books that look at life in New Canaan from many points of view. Those below may be purchased at the historical society’s library. 

The New Canaan Historical Society has published two town histories that are available at the society: Portrait of New Canaan and New Canaan: Texture of a Community. The society’s 2006 annual, I Remember the Old Town Farm, chronicles life on a small farm in Connecticut a century ago. 

A Guide to God’s Acre is a walking tour of the historic district, and A Child’s Walking Tour of New Canaan is a historical walking tour geared to children. My Impressions of the Hour is a journal written by an early New Canaan teacher, Margaret Mary Corrigan. 

Recollections of a Most Worldly Neighbor, John McDiarmid 1911-1982, was published in 2004 in recognition of 50 years of the observation in New Canaan of United Nations Day. 

Reflections by Charlotte and David Brown is the personal story of two doctors and their experiences caring for people in town, beginning in 1951. 

The Harvard Five in New Canaan is a history of mid-century houses in town. It includes photos, floor plans and drawings of New Canaan’s modern homes by the Harvard Five architects and others. 

Another book focusing on architecture is Philip Johnson in New Canaan, featuring the architect and his famous Glass House. 

Mary J. Kelley and the Little Red Schoolhouse is a booklet of student recollections and photos of New Canaan’s one-room schoolhouse on Carter Street. It was compiled by Robert W.P. Cutler, a former student himself. 

The Society's newest publication is Engagements Abroad and relates the many connections the town's residents have had in other countries.

Are any community organizations, services or stores celebrating milestone anniversaries?
In 2008-09, the Congregational Church marked 275 years of service and the New Canaan Historical Society turned 120 years old. Centennial anniversaries were celebrated by Walter Stewart's Market and the New Canaan Garden Club.

Didn't The New Canaan Advertiser also mark its Centennial in 2008?
Yes. The first issue of The Advertiser appeared on July 25, 1908.  The newspaper was the brainchild of John E. Hersam, and the fourth generation of the Hersam family is still active in the business. John E. Hersam's primary intention in publishing the newspaper was to provide information about New Canaan's baseball team that team members and townspeople felt was deserved but was not provided by the other paper, the New Canaan Messenger, which eventually ceased publication after only four years, in 1912. John Hersam's motto - "Grow or Go"- proved prophetic as the newspaper has continued to grow in size and scope over the past 100 years. In 1997, Hersam Publishing merged with the Acorn Press to form Hersam Acorn Newspapers, with a stable of 19 weekly newspapers in Fairfield, New Haven and Westchester counties.

How can I research my genealogy or the town’s history?

The New Canaan Historical Society Library of more than 3,500 volumes on genealogy and area history — including tax and real estate records — is housed in an addition in back of the society’s Town House. There are also many manuscripts, deeds, and local newspapers on microfilm. The library is open Tuesday through Friday from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., and on Saturday from 9:30 to Noon and 2 p.m.  to 4 p.m. Appointments are appreciated. Call the historical society at 966-1776. 

The New Canaan Library is also a good resource for genealogical searches. 

Does New Canaan have a town historian?

Yes. Joseph Sweet is town historian. He is also vice president of the New Canaan Historical Society and the society’s historian, as well. He regularly writes articles for the local press. His writings are on file at the historical society. 

What is the role of the historical society?

Founded in 1889, the New Canaan Historical Society, at 13 Oenoke Ridge, maintains and preserves five historic buildings; operates seven museums; collects and preserves materials of local historical value; supports varied education programs including school tours, special exhibits, seminars, and publications on New Canaan history. (For details on the museums, see the section on Entertainment.) 

The society’s quarterly meetings are open to the community. New members and volunteers are always welcome. For information, call 966-1776, fax 972-5917, or e-mail This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . The society’s Web site is nchistory.org 

The society provided the material for this section of the Answer Book. 

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