Collections : [Connecticut State Library, State Archives]

The records of the Connecticut Historical Commission are divided into one subgroup and three series. Subgroup one contains correspondence, reports, and other documentation on the restoration of the Henry Whitfield House, a State Historical Museum in Guilford, together with deeds and other papers on Guilford families. The second series relates to the American Revolution Bicentennial Commission of Connecticut, which lasted from 1974-1978, and documentation includes subject files, clippings, and scrapbooks. The third series contain a small volume of resolutions expressing gratitude, sorrow and respect, or other form of acknowledgement for members and citizens. Finally, there are six boxes of microfiche on the Connecticut Historical Commission's Statewide Historic Resources Inventory.

In addition to the records of OPM and its predecessors, included here are records from various commissions and offices that are or have been under OPM for administrative purposes. These include: Governor's Council on Voluntary Action (eliminated in 1991); Blue Ribbon Commission on Housing; Energy Advisory Board; and Office of Family Support.

The records relating to the Mohegan Tribe consist primarily of copies of arguments, depositions, primary sources related to the history of the Mohegans, and a variety of secondary source materials in favor of and in opposition to federal acknowledgment. The records are generally arranged in chronological order and document the arduous struggle by the Mohegan to secure recognition through the process overseen by the Bureau of Indian Affairs. The Mohegans are the only Connecticut tribal entity to have successfully navigated the standard acknowledgment process.

Richard Atwater, Dorence's brother, assembled the collection to document the career of and to right the miscarriage of justice experienced by his brother. A former officer in Dorence's unit, Edward W. Whitaker, assisted Richard in gathering information and artifacts. The bulk of the collection consists of letters between Richard and individuals including Edward Whitaker, Clara Barton, Moetia Atwater, and others. There are also letters between Jason Fenn and Richard about a memorial statue for Dorence in Terryville. In addition, the collection includes personal documents including letters written by Dorence; his discharge papers; printed proceedings from his court martial and his hearing before the U.S. Congress; resolutions of the Connecticut General Assembly; correspondence of Connecticut State Librarian George Godard about the collection Richard was assembling; newspaper clippings; photographs of the family; a pocket mirror carried by Dorence; and Richard's historical sketches of the Atwater family, Dorence's military service, and essays related to various aspects of Dorence's life.

Series 1. Predecessor Institutions, 1863-1919, includes the records of two institutions that merged to form the Mansfield Training School: the Connecticut School for Imbeciles, located in Lakeville, Connecticut, and the Connecticut Colony for Epileptics, located on the grounds of what became the Mansfield Training School. The Connecticut School for Imbeciles records, 1863-1917, include resident commitments, admission and attendance, personnel and financial information. The Connecticut Colony for Epileptics records, 1911-1919, 1931, consist of research notes, resident commitments, admission and attendance, personnel, financial and facility and land information.

These records from the study include the following: minutes of meetings February 2, 1940 to May 31, 1940; correspondence with the heads of various state agricultural departments requesting information regarding the departments' personnel, activities, costs of operation, opinions as to whether overlap exists with other departments, and recommendations; correspondence with other states to inquire about how agricultural departments are organized elsewhere; and requests for reumbursement of traveling and other expenses by Committee members.

These records contain primarily agency files, meeting files and other material related to block grants.

Includes a briefing book, meeting notices, minutes, report of the Commission, responses to request for information, tesimonies, and a transcript.

Series 1, Administrative Files, documents the work of the Committee. It is further arranged into subseries. Standards and Procedures includes submissions from Steven F. Reich, counsel to the Select Committee of Inquiry, Ross H. Garber, counsel to the Office of the Governor, and William F. Dow, personal counsel to Governor John G. Rowland. Reports includes copies of the draft and final report of the Committee. Committee Meetings includes agendas, minutes and transcripts. Basic Legal Documents include various motions filed on behalf of the Committee, the Office of the Governor, and other individuals and entities including: Tomasso Brothers, Inc.; TBI Construction Company, LLC; Tunxis Management Company; Tenergy Water, LLC; Michael Tomasso; William Tomasso; Peter Ellef; Cocchiola Paving and Anthony Cocchiola. Correspondence includes incoming and outgoing correspondence primarily of the Committee co-chairmen John Wayne Fox and Arhthur J. O'Neill and counsel Steven F. Reich. Included are copies of e-mails. Civil Summonses are lawsuits against the Committee by various plaintiffs including: Peter Ellef; Robert V. Matthews; TBI Construction Company, LLC; Tunxis Management Company; Tenergy Water, LLC; Michael Tomasso; William Tomasso; Cocchiola Paving, Inc.; Anthony Cocchiola; Mark Wertheim; Patrick J. Delahunty; Vincent J. DeRosa; Tunxis Plantation Country Club; and Michael H. Cicchetti. There is also one summons for suit of the Committee against the Freedom of Information Commission. Subpoenas include copies of subpoenas served to over one hundred individuals and entities. Hearing Exhibits are duplicates of Series 3. Depositions include transcripts of the five individuals deposed: Michael H. Cicchetti; Mary Ann Hanley; Jo McKenzie; David O'Leary; and Marc S. Ryan. Freedom of Information Act includes requests, hearing notices, decisions and appeals.

Series 1, Administrative Files, documents the work of the Committee. It is further arranged into subseries. Standards and Procedures includes submissions from Steven F. Reich, counsel to the Select Committee of Inquiry, Ross H. Garber, counsel to the Office of the Governor, and William F. Dow, personal counsel to Governor John G. Rowland. Reports includes copies of the draft and final report of the Committee. Committee Meetings includes agendas, minutes and transcripts. Basic Legal Documents include various motions filed on behalf of the Committee, the Office of the Governor, and other individuals and entities including: Tomasso Brothers, Inc.; TBI Construction Company, LLC; Tunxis Management Company; Tenergy Water, LLC; Michael Tomasso; William Tomasso; Peter Ellef; Cocchiola Paving and Anthony Cocchiola. Correspondence includes incoming and outgoing correspondence primarily of the Committee co-chairmen John Wayne Fox and Arhthur J. O'Neill and counsel Steven F. Reich. Included are copies of e-mails. Civil Summonses are lawsuits against the Committee by various plaintiffs including: Peter Ellef; Robert V. Matthews; TBI Construction Company, LLC; Tunxis Management Company; Tenergy Water, LLC; Michael Tomasso; William Tomasso; Cocchiola Paving, Inc.; Anthony Cocchiola; Mark Wertheim; Patrick J. Delahunty; Vincent J. DeRosa; Tunxis Plantation Country Club; and Michael H. Cicchetti. There is also one summons for suit of the Committee against the Freedom of Information Commission. Subpoenas include copies of subpoenas served to over one hundred individuals and entities. Hearing Exhibits are duplicates of Series 3. Depositions include transcripts of the five individuals deposed: Michael H. Cicchetti; Mary Ann Hanley; Jo McKenzie; David O'Leary; and Marc S. Ryan. Freedom of Information Act includes requests, hearing notices, decisions and appeals.