Octagon House Views
1 black and white, 5 color slides
View of the Danbury Octagon House from Spring Street and Elm Street. A view of the interior spiral staircase and a light fixture with ornate ceiling medallion (perhaps not from the Octagon House).
1982-1983
Danbury Preservation Trust Brainstorming
3, 8.5 x 11", typescript
1985
Index of newspaper mentions relating to DPT
9 pgs
1981
Danbury Preservation Trust, Board Meeting audio, 1995-06
47:24, 1 microcassette
This is an audio recording of the Danbury Preservation Trust's meeting in June of 1995. The meeting led by Paulette Pepin is informal and discussion centers on recent developments of local projects: upcoming dates for Hearthstone Castle’s bidding packages and showings for interested developers, HUD’s approval for restoration on St. Peter's Cathedral Rectory, as well as approval from Mayor on the advertising campaign announcing sale of Hearthstone Castle in magazines, newspapers, and other publications. Dues are collected from Board, along with discussion on DPT’s mission statement and goals for the year. Promotion methods like button designs and official logo are brought up and how these will be utilized in upcoming events and tabling for ‘Celebration of the Arts’ and ‘Taste of Danbury’; both of which DPT has reserved tables on Danbury Green for in the late summer. Elizabeth Winthrop Montgomery is officially added on as new board member and as Newsletter editor. What shall be included in the Newsletter along with membership dues and information is included in recording.
1995-06-22
0:00-10:00
Lewis Zurlo introduced to Elizabeth Winthrop Montgomery; For the first time there is a full board in session; paper minutes are passed out; Financial report which included Trust’s first balance and monthly bank statement $547.17. CD is currently at $1,393.23, and the difference between this month’s and last month’s balance is the withdrawal of $500.00 from the DPT to checking
Lucy has made efforts to find Connecticut state identification number for us as a non-profit organization; Tax Registration office at city hall was of little help; According their office, there has never been a tax identification number for DPT; Brought up by a member that Paulette Pepin used frequently and one had written down on card, therefore must be one; Lucy will investigate further, but now has Federal identification code; Will update Board when more is found out; Motion made to pass financial report and minutes for meeting; unanimous; motion passes.
Other Announcement: DPT’s director did not let Heather know that advertisement campaign went through; Mayor accepted advertising campaign though, The only change was to add the Danbury News Times to the list of publications for sale announcement of Hearthstone Castle; He also approved the extra $300 for advertisement; Sandy Muy is going to carry out this advertisement in News Times after mayor approved content; Believe all is worked out
Finished writing article about castle for National Trust magazine for East/West section; However it was sent back for editing; They have more of a reporting style to articles; Less adjectives needed; Sent in color photo along with article to the Magazine; Further discussion about the National Trust magazine; Fellow board member (Lewis?) had brought to the board’s attention that Heather’s first advertisement of sale for Hearthstone Castle that was suppose to be in Bed & Breakfast magazine was not paid for in time; She was unaware that payment was needed; Was told too late; So did not make it in; Publication only prints quarterly and will not be in time for when bid packages due either; How the sale will work was laid out during last Hearthstone Castle committee meeting; Bid packages can now be picked up until the end of July; Showing of Hearthstone Castle to prospective bidders in the middle of August; Bids don’t have to be in until October 6th; All dates have been pushed back; Notification to all interest bidders on extension on when packages are due have been given; Concern over the time frame by Lewis; The Hearthstone Castle Committee has been disassembled and will not be meeting again until bids are in, but if any have questions about bidding packages should call Sandy; Update on St. Peter’s Cathedral rectory by Lewis; HUD approved the proposal for energy efficiency and rooms; Got passed with 13 efficiencies and 20 rooms; Which is great news to the board; Discussion with National Preservation Advisory was made by Louis; Approval there as well; So all is moving forth and now the focus is on specific construction proposal has to be approved by State; Landscaping and playground are completed; Most external elements have been taken care of; But none done internally yet; Hopefully internal construction to building will begin by September when Preservation Trust meets again; Another official announcement is payment of board member dues for the Preservation Trust at this time; using old dues form for payment; update needs to be made on the Trust’s mission statement; is not included in bylaws currently; Lucy and chair of board had written one and was then passed out to others; explanation that this mock-up has seven goals with objectives underneath; mission statement has not been touched since the 1970’s so seriously needs modifications; Steven Berger (past board member) has written one with further suggestions; Lucy wants to include portions about protection of land which was not the original mission statement; objectives will pertain to specific tasks underneath arching goals for the Trust; example being the Newsletter; would like to hear the rest of the board’s comments, concerns, or editing soon; not going to meet as a full board again until September but would like full feedback by then so approval can happen as soon as possible.
10:01-20:00
Motion to accept Elizabeth Winthrop Montgomery as Trust’s new board member and responsible for creating Newsletter; all were in favor; no discussion; no opposition-motion passed
Ideas for Newsletter; speak with Elizabeth; phone number is on the updated contact list and minutes; Board would like the first issue to come out in September; she will be creating electronically on Microsoft Office; article on Danbury Railway Museum discussed; modification made on D.P.T’s logo, but need new title for Newsletter; would like to printed twice a year; send out to all of the subscribers and members; give out some copies to Danbury Public Library, banks, and popular community spots; Used to run off about 400 to 500 copies each time; President of board typically writes a letter to readers in the beginning; Board talks about a small gimmick component in Newsletter like a crossword puzzle with terms; this was never previously included in Newsletter, but board agrees that they would like to start in September issue; one board member had taken photographs of historic buildings or portions of them on Main St. in Danbury and thought this would be a great guessing game like a “where is this located” quiz which will draw local readership in Newsletter; discussion on perhaps adding this game and can be one where a prize (free membership for a year discussed) for those readers who take a picture next to buildings and if solved correctly; this will replace the crossword puzzle for September issue;
Never really announced membership in Newsletter in the past, but board would like include in from now on; Letter to current members was proposed to go out the following week; some stipulations may come in from Membership Dues which stands as follow; $5 for student; $10 for senior citizens; $15 for Individual; $25 for Family; Corporate is $100.
20:01-30:00
Meeting with Mayor; still apologetic for missing DTP’s last meeting; both him and CT Senator Dodd had a discussion and are both willing to meet whenever DTP is available; do not have to reschedule appointment based off of Railway Museum soft opening in the Fall.
Discussion started on creating new Land Trust programs; Danbury Downtown Council wants to hold a ‘Celebration Of the Arts’ festival is on August 12th this year; DTP is going to have a designated space on the Danbury Green; is not an all-day long event, but hours are not set for it yet; one board member came up with some great designs for programs along with display; Recording cuts out here.
Side B: 31:01- 40:00
Discussion on affording printing of brochures; two to three board members agreed to create a button design before tabling; Both will probably not occur before this event; Unless lots of money comes in; Logo illustration will be enlarged a sheet to hang at table for 'Celebration of the Arts'; other announcement; Chair has to contact MaryAnne Frede to reserve table for the 'Taste of Danbury' event; September 10th (Saturday) from 12-7 pm and rain date is Sept 17th (following Saturday); Each board member would be responsible for a 2 hour shift at table; Discussion about what to do at the table; Concept brought up by Lewis to have a live demonstration by older gentleman who talked about PBS (Public Broadcasting) and did segment on building outhouses and specifics about woodworking on them; want this “Outhouse Man” to teach those passing by table on how best to build outhouses at the 'Taste of Danbury'; This demonstration may draw attention to Taste of Danbury table; Tape from PBS bought by Lewis to get more information on the “Outhouse Man”.
40:01- 47:24
Board Member brings up idea to start creating an inventory of ornaments/decorations for annual 'Festival of Trees' (a Danbury non-profit fundraising event) that occurs at the end of November; She specifically has small colorful buildings for the tree that can tie in DPT’s Danbury historic walking tour; Led into conversation about 'Danbury Walking Tour' and the Board trying to figure out slogan for round buttons; Judy needs to go printer sooner with design so copy of logo is needed; Possible slogan titles discussed were: “Architectural Mystery Walking Tour” or “Historical Mystery Tour”?; One main prize of free individual membership will be handed out; Need further staffing at this tour; Further ideas about how to decorate the DPT’s; Lewis brought with him illustrated drawings of the historic buildings from each side of Main St. in Danbury- most of which will be included in Walking Tour; Brainstorming how to reduce each one in size in order to fit on tree as decorations; Instead of using regular building ornaments use of these specific ones of Danbury; which includes banks, old hat factories, old Danbury library, and churches- this will be better public relations for this upcoming Festival of Trees events; Could possibly sell the copies of illustrations to businesses that are in these buildings as mementos; Or specifically sell to the three or four Main St. banks illustrated on a poster; Included the bank’s name on the bottom; conversation then leads to how to ask bank for money with brochure; Lewis also mentions that the banks tend to stay in the same spot over the years whereas businesses in Main Street change frequently; So banks like Bank of America or Union Savings are more likely to buy; Possible artist taking these scaled illustrations and creating lithographs instead; highlights all of the details better; Tape Ends.
Danbury Preservation Trust, Board Meeting audio, 1995-05
31:14; 1 microcassette
This is an audio recording of the Danbury Preservation Trust's meeting in May of 1995. The meeting led by Paulette Pepin is informal and discussion centers on recent developments on preservation projects including: opening of Danbury Railway Museum, restoration on St. Peter's Cathedral Rectory, setting up committee for Danbury Flood Exhibit's storyboard, and the advertising campaign announcing sale of Hearthstone Castle in magazines or other publications. Elizabeth Winthrop Montgomery from Antiques & the Arts Weekly is announced as new board member.
1995-05
0:00-10:00
Announcement about new board member: Elizabeth Winthrop Montgomery; she is currently the editor for Antiques & the Arts Weekly (Newtown, CT); will be doing newsletter for Land Trust and offered to help; is the ninth and final board member.
Connecticut Preservation Action’s annual meeting/Spring Celebration on Tuesday June 13th in Suffield, CT at the Hatheway House & Garden; Tours will be given of 18th century house with original french period wallpaper throughout; question posed on who is willing to attend.
Financial report given; Debbie reads off specific amounts from bank statements; Checking: Balance is now at $47.17. A payment was made to attorney for providing certification of appropriation and then $42.85 for new checks for checkbook; Discuss amounts and what to transfer from what checking account to the next; Keeping $500 in checking to pay bills; Holding off on getting phone until there is more financial backing; Starting ad-Hoc committee with Lucy and Debbie to check about non-profit status and get tax identification number; Check with Tony Diperrio (Attorney) on non-profit status at 57 North Street Suite 301 in Danbury, CT for more information about this; has telephone number in office; Motion to accept financial report; Motion carries; All board members checked and looked over minutes for approval; Motion carries.
Senator Pete Domenici indirectly has caused some ramifications with new state budget; Senator Christopher Dudd (D:1981-2011) had to cancel everything and because President Bill Clinton wanted him; So proposal with Land Trust has been put on back burner; Mayor’s office called and was apologetic; Willing to meet and come again; Discussion raised at what time is best to reschedule; possible date that could work was opening of the Railway Museum; However, concern with what time in the year restoration and opening of museum will occur due to setbacks with construction, D.O.T., money, and delayed approval from city; Fall may be a better date due to Dodd being in town for mayor’s re-election; Question discussed: May be able to piggy-back off of that event and his time here? One board member added: Mayor’s office said not enough time for Railroad Museum to have a large exhibit or opening at the date in Fall, but date still stands, just scaled back to a soft opening with preview of small exhibits at the end of October; Larger opening with vendors, trains coming in from all over, with vendors and such will happen in the following Spring; Dodd is not up for re-election this year.
New board member list given out with Elizabeth’s contact information added; Terry’s asked for her phone number at Railroad Museum to be included because she is there a great deal and can reached there for further information on opening.
10:01-20:01
Tim Devore from St. Peter’s Cathedral Rectory called to question why Trust’s support for Louis’s Design; He did not write a formal letter but had concerns about fourth floor and windows restoration; Wooden ones were not chosen because of future costs to repair and maintenance; however willing to Trust or Board is willing to write letter to support change; these are believed to be detrimental to the building’s value by Tim; Discussion from board on building’s value without the restoration of fourth floor; and further discussion if building proposal does not go through and Diocese of Bridgeport will likely tear it down; Land Trust is willing to write letter of support for windows to CT Preservation Action or whomever for different window and fourth floor design to help protect building; Reminded by board member that building does not have much value without the restoration of fourth floor; one board member (Lewis ) mentions that windows in original design were wooden but had different installation; Tim made another call to investigate and spoke with CT Conservation and another member Historical Commission about design.
Lou then made a call made to Washington, DC to Connecticut Preservation Action office himself; spoke with secretary at office; Lou asked about Tim’s calls to investigate in relation to preservation designs; confirmation that Frank supports project so no issue there; Found out from secretary that project is not being held-up by preservation items and nothing to do with history, but was rather HUD (Department of Housing and Urban Development) which have concerns with the number of mixed use of rooms to energy efficiency issues; Needs to be evenly distributed; Had about 40 units and 19 efficiencies originally proposed in design; Willing to compromise with 24 one-bedrooms which has been in place for over a year; however HUD has created new rules within the time of proposal about distribution of rooms and energy efficiencies; Cannot get enough units in there, and Trust’s board member Lou does not want throw away proposal; so is fighting these new energy efficiency rules; Put best offer on table to HUD of 13 efficiencies and 20 bedrooms as a solution; HUD did not approve; same Trust’s board member Lou made call to Danbury mayor’s office and said they will take care of it, hold up on 3 units should not be an issue; They called Bernie Fitzpatrick's office and wrote letter that claims 340 people on a waiting list that can use rooms in Danbury and sent to HUD; used this need in area as leverage to get approval by HUD for rooms at St. Peters; letter was faxed over to HUD;
20:01-30:00
May lose entire project though and need to start all over; project is 75% finished too; many calls have been made to Washington, DC; Others on Land Trust board asked Lou if senators could help push through; response was: “No, HUD has enough information”; Bishop has already sent letters to state representatives and senators; If all is solved with energy efficiencies and rooms with HUD then project will move forth; Letter sent from HUD to CT Preservation where only three issues in letter from in relation to restoration were mentioned and yes, one was the windows but not really fourth floor other thing that was asked for by this board were photos of other buildings on street; Then the National Preservation Advisory board can then approve; then will be sent back to state for CT Preservation to approve inquires involving the windows and fourth floor.
Other Announcement: Heather has put together wonderful advertisement for sale of the Hearthstone castle; One has gone out to a Bed and Breakfast publication (confusion from announcer on the exact name) but has over 1,000 subscribers; This $125 advertisement slot got approved by city; Best part is that it is on the Internet where 20 million may see it.
Land Trust board member is not sure how it happened but free advertisement in current issue of Connecticut Historical Preservation magazine within Newsletter Bulletin talking about three major properties endangered, Hearthstone castle was one featured; bulletin included information about Tarrywile and photo which is great; Would have cost the city $350.
After no call back from mayor’s office, main conductor of meeting (Paulette?) and Heather will be sending over advertising campaign proposal, which is a little over $5,000; Lou (again one of the Trust’s board member) came up with concept to talk to resturants within the county about advertising; more expensive, but may be worth it; Tom Divens has not answered call yet, but Paulette may run over to Two Steps after meeting to ask about publications and if interested in preserving castle; Hopes that there is more circulation of advertisement; Mentioned that bid packages have been mailed out to those who were initially interested in development and restoration; Noted that the $5,000 advertisement campaign comes out of contingency budget. Heather highlighted certain ones (publications?) on proposal to mayor’s office that would gain the most demographic pull. Others could be eliminated to decrease budget amount.
Bid packages are put together can be picked up in the first of July; board hopes to have developer in Fall and start up in the Spring. Brief discussion on poor condition and hopes for mild winter; specifically worried about porch and are in agreeance that castle may only have one more winter left before conditions get worse; Motion made at last meeting about restoration on interior; Not in initial announcement of sale of castle or document, however will be when bidding packages are turned in or asked by developer; Largest discussion was in concerns to the announcement’s description and with amount of acreage in that last meeting; Denis (no last name mentioned) may set up point system where certain points are gained with restoring interior on distinct items; overall great progress in the past six months on this project and advertising thus far; Main narrator Paulette brought up that castle’s committee meetings and the committee itself still exists- next committee meeting will not be formed until bid packages come in; probably meet in the Fall next; Dennis Elpern Planning Director, Richard Gogdat (?), and Danbury mayor they will be meeting to create formal document for castle’s sale and meet with Tarrywile Park committee.
30:01-31:14
Discussion on “Flood exhibit” with setup and starting a storyboard; committee for this and next meeting will be the following Wednesday at 3 pm (May 31st); Put together evening meetings for future; Board member (Lou?) reminds the rest of board talking to of man whose father used to own three story building/business on White Street, which he worked in growing up he worked in; Rozanski Danbury Paper Co; Was previously interviewed for Flood Exhibit and is willing to be a part of the walking tour; he is retired now so has time; discussion on where best to find contact information; his telephone number on previous Flood Exhibit contact list.
Danbury Preservation Trust, Board Meeting audio, 1995-05-26
~62 minutes; 1 microcassette
1995-05-26
0:00-10:00
There is no financial report; Meeting brought to order; Minutes of last meeting approved; Skip to financial report- no financial report; Have no checkbook because had to refile for corporation status because had been defunct; Then need to bring checkbook and certificate to bank to get finances back in operation; Have between $2,500-$3,000 dollars; Not sure if they need to refile with IRS; Attorney suggested they play dumb with the state to determine if they need a new tax id, etc.; Found list of old members - six years old; Going to compile a mailing list; Need to formally pass a resolution which decides which persons are signatories on the bank account; Need to get a corporate resolution from the bank as well; Checking bylaws to determine if the proposed resolution is already in bylaws; Rewording bylaw article 8; Will talk to Mayor regarding the information meeting with Senator Dodd in coming week; Hoping to have Dodd event during Preservation Week, which is second week in May
10:01-20:00
Discussion of possibility of new brochure; Discussing possibility of raising amount of dues - last rates set 15 years prior; Movement to double rates; Discussion that might still be too low; Family dues will be $25, individual $15, students $5, and senior citizens $10; In past membership was mostly an even split of individuals and families; Patron raised to $50, corporate raised to $150, Sustaining raised to $500; Don’t think brochure will be ready by the time Dodd speaks, so planning on having a fact sheet present; Want to update logo as well, 17 years old; All listening to answering machine message; New logo should be catchy, appeal to kids, etc.; Decide to create a sub-committee to create logo; Should take direction from New Milford’s recent logos; Simple roof and a hand was suggested, or an umbrella
20:01-30:00
Most creative board members suggested for subcommittee; Tomorrow's meeting regarding castle; Talking about a castle friend in England; Discussing prospective builders, developers, etc for outbuilding on castle grounds; Walking tour for fall suggested; Annual dinner suggested for spring; Discussion about exhibit about flood of 1955; Roger Baldwin photos from downtown found in office; Herb said he’ be interested in creating new exhibit for DPT that would be on display in Danbury Public Library, open in May 1996 and run for 3 months, 2 dimensional; Form passed around asking for volunteers to conduct interviews, etc. for exhibit; Herb interested in creating exhibit book as well; Have VCR running all day of oral history interviews related to flood suggested for exhibit
30:01-40:00
Suggested that WCSU facilities be used for this; Reminder that the relationship of the trust is the redevelopment of downtown after the flood
Side B; 31:00-40:00
Redevelopment office took a photo of each building before they could rip it down and rebuild it; Going to check if those photos are still around; Herb needs a list of at least 15 people willing to be interviewed; president is hoping for list of folks who will agree to audio interviews and group that will agree to video interviews; Discussing possible interviewees; Save money by using someone else’s photos that have already been enlarged; All forgot they were taping themselves; Suggesting to still interview people who do not want to be taped or videoed; Suggesting WCSU host, record and edit video interviews; Continue to discuss potential interviewees; Trying to keep mtgs short
40:01-50:00
List of bills that will need to be paid when treasurer gets checkbook; President will coordinate informational meeting; Community feedback tells them that people really loved their newsletter and walking tours back when they were functioning; President asks board if they would like to adopt creating a newsletter again, she is willing to serve as editor to start; President throws out ideas of things that might be in the newsletter and that it go out twice a year; Board has interest - decision to schedule another meeting to coordinate that; President presents chart she created of each board member and lists of activities that each board member can get involved in; President goes down list stating board members and what activities she’s matched them with; States how this address short range goals and once they are up and running again, can address long term goals; Asked for volunteers to put together committee to address mission statement, politics, etc; Question as to whether they will again get involved with surveys of town; Only area not surveyed was mill plain, but not sure what historic buildings are left there or where money would come from; Surveys are at museum; Again suggesting that they get interns from WCSU to work on their projects, such as updating surveys
50:01-60:00
Discussed keeping abreast of current legislation - also suggested that WCSU students should do this; Janick said if they could solidify projects he would see what students he might have that would want to be involved and could handle the projects; Discussed aesthetic of new RR station and suggested they should keep an eye on old station; It was asked whether school has any role in what happens downtown re: design and development; It was decided Danbury is too large to tell people what they can and can’t do downtown; Someone states that just because it’s an old building anyone can buy it and put whatever they want in that building in Danbury; Public mtg April 3rd to discuss City Center Danbury 2000 and Beyond; Much discussion regarding the Walgreens that is slated to go in on Main Street; Argument that modern buildings will become old and each building depicts the time that it’s from
60:01-70:00
Agreement that suggestion can be made to Walgreens and hopefully Walgreen will choose to incorporate elements of an older style building; Discussing various building previous building projects in town; Tape Ends