New Canaan Answer Book
History
Apr 23, 2007

What is the town’s history?

In 1731 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. Eventually, many of the summer visitors settled year-round, commuting to their jobs in New York and creating the residential community that exists today.

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.

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, 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 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, and the Merritt Parkway.

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 42 houses that are 100 years old or older. 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?

A recent law may put 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.

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 to 4, and on Saturday from 9:30 to noon and 2 to 4. 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 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 newcanaan.historical@snet.net. The society’s Web site is nchistory.org.

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

© Copyright 2007 by Hersam Acorn Newspapers