Glen Airlie, Grass Island and Greenwich Harbor, Hermit Dies, Girl in the Pilot House & More!

 

CLICK HERE OR CLICK HERE

This podcast is made possible by Alexander Affiliates, Eastern Neurologic Services, Kevin M. J. O'Connor of Jeffrey Matthews Wealth Management, and listeners like you everywhere on the Atlantic Learning Consortium Network!

On our July shows, we pleased to promote Michael Helupka Tree Service, LLC here in Greenwich. I was impressed and a satisfied customer -and you will be, too. Call 203.622.8737.

Welcome to the 25th of July 2023 show. 

On Greenwich in the Gilded Age, we return for an encore visit to Glen Airlie on Byram Shore, brought to you on today's show thanks to The Great Estates Greenwich, Connecticut 1880-1929 by The Junior League of Greenwich. 

But there's more. You learn about Addison Hanan and his family, hailing from Narragansett's society circles who perhaps came to purchase this estate. (Click here for the article). 

On Greenwich Life As It is-And Was, Erwin Edwards wrote, "Grass Island and what can be made of it, has been talked of and discussed for a long time, and thus it happens that it is not a new subject of conversation or controversy."

A century ago, Niel Morrow Ladd was appointed chairman of a committee of the Greenwich Chamber of Commerce to study Greenwich's "unsightly harbor" with the goal of improving it "in a fair way." 

It was reported in July, 1907 that Isaac Scofield, "the hermit of Greenwich who lived within a half-mile of E.C. Converse's residence  at Stanwich (Conyers Manor), was found dead last Friday night among a lot of chickens at the bottom of an old cellar near the shack in which he lived." 

"Progress is making," reported the July 20, 1923 edition of the Greenwich News and Graphic, "in the construction of the new Masonic Temple on Havemeyer Place and Mason Street...and there is every assurance that the imposing edifice will be ready for dedication and occupancy on the date originally set, in October." That building still stands today.

In other historical news, 120 people enjoyed the second annual outing and clambake of The News Employee Mutual Benefit Association on Island Beach (Little Captain's Island) in early August 1908. 

In late July, 1908, Commodore E.C. Benedict's steam yacht Oneida was one of the fleet of boats to traverse the newly-opened Cape Cod Canal. 

It was reported a century ago, on July 27, 1923, that Judge Frederick A. Hubbard commented that "Miss Smith," of Stamford -the granddaughter of Captain Charles Smith of the ill-fated steamboat Seawanaka- was "twirling the spokes of the steering wheel" of the ferry boat Greenwich on the waters of Long Island Sound. 

Don't forget Crimes and Misdemeanors, our featured crime segment in our continuous observance of the 125th anniversary of the founding of the Greenwich Police Department (GPD).

There’s lots to see, to do, and to learn about the history of the Town of Greenwich.

You’ve come to the right place to learn about the history of the Town of Greenwich, Connecticut, one of America's most interesting and extraordinary communities.  

We’ll have all this -and more- as our history continues to unfold. 

I'm Jeffrey Bingham Mead, your host. Thank you for listening to the weekly podcast released on Tuesdays. 

Contact me and join our growing number of listeners anytime via email at greenwichatownforallseasons@gmail.com. 

Show podcast episodes are posted weekly on various social media platforms. Click this link to the show's Facebook site. 

I also encourage you to like and visit the group You Know You're From Greenwich Ct If, where links to the show are posted weekly, too. 

Mark your calendars. The next show is scheduled for Tuesday, the 1st of August, 2023. 

Greenwich Founders Day, Missy Wolfe Returns, Pickwick Corners, Scouts Visit NYC, Rev. Anne C. Torrey Ordained & More

 

CLICK HERE OR CLICK HERE

This podcast is made possible by Alexander Affiliates, Eastern Neurologic Services, Kevin M. J. O'Connor of Jeffrey Matthews Wealth Management, and listeners like you everywhere on the Atlantic Learning Consortium Network!

On our July shows, we pleased to promote Michael Helupka Tree Service, LLC here in Greenwich. I was impressed and a satisfied customer -and you will be, too. Call 203.622.8737.

Happy Founders Day -Greenwich is 383 years strong in 2023! You’ll hear this year's Town of Greenwich official proclamation. 

On Talk of the Town, you’ll hear an encore conversation I had in 2018 with Missy Wolfe, considered by many to be Greenwich’s leading authority on the town’s first century starting in 1640. 

Wolfe is the author of Hidden History of Colonial Greenwich. Her study of the life of Greenwich founder Elizabeth Winthrop Feake Hallett, Insubordinate Spirit: A True Story of Life and Loss in Earliest America, won the Washington Irving Medal for Literary Excellence. 

On Greenwich in the Gilded Age, our visit will take us to Parke Cottage on Otter Rock Drive in Belle Haven -made possible on today's show by Victorian Summer: The Historic Houses of Belle Haven Park, Greenwich, Connecticut by Matt Bernard. 

It is available for purchase at the Greenwich Historical Society's Museum Store, or copies may be borrowed through the Greenwich Library. It is richly illustrated, revealing a wealth of detailed history. I strongly recommend it. 

On Greenwich Life: As It Is-And Was, Erwin Edwards penned a piece about the ‘Pickwick Corners’ building at the top of Greenwich Avenue constructed by Isaac Lewis Mead. The building -at the time of Edwards’ article- was a candy store and factory.

On Crimes and Misdemeanors, our featured crime history includes ‘Ladies in a Fight’ on Northfield Street area -and a poem composed by a Greenwich resident in the Bridgeport Jail a century ago. (See below)

And in other historical news, you'll hear about Boy Scout Troop #4 of North Greenwich who in 1923 “had an unusual outing in New York last week under the leadership of the Scoutmaster." 

It was announced in Greenwich a century ago that the Rev. Anne C. Torrey was the first ordained female pastor in Fairfield County, Connecticut -and one of the very few in the New England states. 

The first instance of sky-writing happened on August 9, 1923 for the Lucky Strike brand of cigarettes and tobacco.

In 1912, Greenwich families were treated to an advice column on how to amuse children.

In 1956, Greenwich’s people became “whisker conscious” with the upcoming 216th aniversary of Greenwich’s founding -the first observance since 1940 with 15,000 attending celebrations. 

There’s lots to see, to do, and to learn about the history of the Town of Greenwich.

You’ve come to the right place to learn about the history of the Town of Greenwich, Connecticut, one of America's most interesting and extraordinary communities.  

We’ll have all this -and more- as our history continues to unfold. 

I'm Jeffrey Bingham Mead, your host. Thank you for listening to the weekly podcast released on Tuesdays. 

Contact me and join our growing number of listeners anytime via email at greenwichatownforallseasons@gmail.com. 

Show podcast episodes are posted weekly on various social media platforms. Click this link to the show's Facebook site. 

I also encourage you to like and visit the group You Know You're From Greenwich Ct If, where links to the show are posted weekly, too. 

Mark your calendars. The next show is scheduled for Tuesday, the 25th of July, 2023. 

Rachel Mead's Gravestone, Day Estate, Chilling with the Rockefeller's, Summer Boarders & More!

 

This podcast is made possible by Alexander Affiliates, Eastern Neurologic Services, Kevin M. J. O'Connor of Jeffrey Matthews Wealth Management, and listeners like you everywhere on the Atlantic Learning Consortium Network!

Recommended Business-of-the-Month:

Michael Helupka Tree Service, LLC

CLICK HERE OR CLICK HERE

As we countdown to Greenwich Founder's Day, we’ll begin today’s show with an encore conversation from 2018 on Talk of the Town. Mead-descendant Norm Davis contacted your host with news of a brownstone grave marker for Rachel Mead, who died in 1799, in the basement of his parent’s home in Port Chester, New York. 

Where did the stone belong? How did it end up in the basement of a home in Port Chester? 

It makes for quite an interesting and entertaining story -and yes, her stone was repatriated to its proper location in the New Burial Grounds Association Cemetery next to the Second Congregational Church. 

On Greenwich in the Gilded Age, our visit will take us to Day Estate in Belle Haven -made possible on today's show by Victorian Summer: The Historic Houses of Belle Haven Park, Greenwich, Connecticut by Matt Bernard. 

It is available for purchase at the Greenwich Historical Society's Museum Store, or copies may be borrowed through the Greenwich Library. It is richly illustrated, revealing a wealth of detailed history. I strongly recommend it. 

We continue to observe the 125th anniversary of the founding of the Greenwich Police Department on Crimes and Misdemeanors. On today’s show you’ll learn of Prohibition-era car chases and injured “motor-cops.” 

Greenwich Before 2000 was published as an updated, revised edition of another Greenwich history book, Before and After 1776: A Chronology of the Town of Greenwich. On today's show, we'll look back at Years 1800-1808.

And in other historical news, you'll hear about a “chilling experience” featuring Mrs. Percy Rockefeller, her children and friends in Wyoming. They found themselves stuck in a snowstorm while ascending Mount Washburn -in July.  

The Nelson Bush House was at one time in the area we know today as Belle Haven. It was moved to where it sits at 186 Hamilton Avenue. 

On Greenwich Life: As It Is-And Was, Lucien Edwards penned a piece about Greenwich’s summer boarders. 

Summer in Greenwich often brings news of road repairs and repaving -often causing headaches for motor vehicle drivers. Think this is anything news? The situation in Greenwich was hardly different in July, 1923 -and you’ll hear why. 

There’s lots to see, to do, and to learn about the history of the Town of Greenwich.

You’ve come to the right place to learn about the history of the Town of Greenwich, Connecticut, one of America's most interesting and extraordinary communities.  

We’ll have all this -and more- as our history continues to unfold. 

I'm Jeffrey Bingham Mead, your host. Thank you for listening to the weekly podcast released on Tuesdays. 

Contact me and join our growing number of listeners anytime via email at greenwichatownforallseasons@gmail.com. 

Show podcast episodes are posted weekly on various social media platforms. Click this link to the show's Facebook site. 

I also encourage you to like and visit the group You Know You're From Greenwich Ct If, where links to the show are posted weekly, too. 

Mark your calendars. The next show is scheduled for Greenwich Founders Day, Tuesday, the 18th of July, 2023. 

 

Fourth of July, Lafayette Cottage, 1782-1786, Lovely Trolley Rides, School Vacations, Fake News About William Rockefeller & More!

 

CLICK HERE OR CLICK HERE

This podcast is made possible by Alexander Affiliates, Eastern Neurologic Services, Kevin M. J. O'Connor of Jeffrey Matthews Wealth Management, and listeners like you everywhere on the Atlantic Learning Consortium Network!

Recommended Business-of-the-Month:

Michael Helupka Tree Service, LLC

It’s time to bust out your fireworks, grab your friends and family and celebrate the 4th of July! 

Happy American Independence Day! Let us thank those throughout our nation's 247-year history who fought for our freedoms. 

Stand tall and proud! May your hearts be filled with pride and patriotism for this great nation. 

On Greenwich in the Gilded Age, our visit will take us to Lafayette Cottage in Belle Haven -made possible on today's show by Victorian Summer: The Historic Houses of Belle Haven Park, Greenwich, Connecticut by Matt Bernard. 

It is available for purchase at the Greenwich Historical Society's Museum Store, or copies may be borrowed through the Greenwich Library. It is richly illustrated, revealing a wealth of detailed history. I strongly recommend it. 

We continue to observe the 125th anniversary of the founding of the Greenwich Police Department on Crimes and Misdemeanors. 

Greenwich Before 2000 was published as an updated, revised edition of another Greenwich history book, Before and After 1776: A Chronology of the Town of Greenwich. On today's show, we'll look back at Years 1782-1786.

And in other historical news, you'll hear more about how the people of Greenwich observed the Fourth of July in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. 

There were reports in 1900 that William Rockefeller was personally involved in the building of a then-new railroad station in Greenwich. But was it fake news? 

As schools are out for the summer, there was discussion and some debate about whether or not to have school vacations. 

Back in 1905, it was possible to ride trolleys from New York to Greenwich. It was a "lovely trolley ride "in charming Greenwich, Connecticut." 

I'll also share an account of a Revolutionary War-era raid on a Mead Family farm in North Greenwich, one that resulted in the death of young Obadiah Mead. 

There’s lots to see, to do, and to learn about the history of the Town of Greenwich.

You’ve come to the right place to learn about the history of the Town of Greenwich, Connecticut, one of America's most interesting and extraordinary communities.  

We’ll have all this -and more- as our history continues to unfold. 

I'm Jeffrey Bingham Mead, your host. Thank you for listening to the weekly podcast released on Tuesdays. 

Contact me and join our growing number of listeners anytime via email at greenwichatownforallseasons@gmail.com. 

Show podcast episodes are posted weekly on various social media platforms. Click this link to the show's Facebook site. 

I also encourage you to like and visit the group You Know You're From Greenwich Ct If, where links to the show are posted weekly, too. 

Mark your calendars. The next show is scheduled for Tuesday, the11th of July, 2023.