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Danbury Museum

@danburymuseum.bsky.social

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5 historic buildings, research library/archive, and more than 300 years of history. Weds - Sat, 12-4. Tours Fri & Sat. New exhibit opens 3/15 — “First Impressions: What Marian Wore.” Learn more about us: https://danburymuseum.org/

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Danbury Museum @danburymuseum.bsky.social · Feb 21

In partnership with the Danbury NAACP, we’re so pleased to host “Selma” at the Danbury Museum on Sunday, 2/23/2025, at 3pm. This event is free and open to all!

Danbury Museum @danburymuseum.bsky.social · Jan 22

Did you know the Danbury Museum provides FREE offsite programming? Last year we did more than 40 offsite programs/talks to greater-Danbury groups. Looking to book a fun program on a variety of Danbury-related historical topics? Call us at 203-743-5200

Danbury Museum @danburymuseum.bsky.social · Jan 22

A wonderful time last night sharing 18th century Danbury stories with our friends at the Danbury Masonic Lodge. How great is their 1780 minutes book?! We look forward to more programs and partnership with the lodge.

A group of men gathered in a large room, with cerulean blue walls and a painted ceiling.

Men with gloves showing a 1780 minute book of early Danbury Masonic meeting minutes.

18th century military lodge list of numerous names of Danbury Lodge members.

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Reposted by Danbury Museum

Derbyshire Record Office @derbyshiredro.bsky.social · Dec 10

Who doesn't enjoy a good Victorian pun? We certainly do 😄

Can you work it out? If not, the explanation is in the alt text.

#ChristmasCards #EYAFestive #ArchiveAdventCalendar

Victorian Christmas card, landscape with white background. Text in attractive ‘curly’ font reads "With my ever....ing Good Wishes for A Happy Christmas". Between the words 'ever' and 'ing' is a colour drawing of a wooden shoe last, making the message "everlasting Good Wishes".

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Danbury Museum @danburymuseum.bsky.social · Dec 13

Absolutely gorgeous!

Danbury Museum @danburymuseum.bsky.social · Dec 13

This is a brilliant card.

Danbury Museum @danburymuseum.bsky.social · Dec 12

The photo of Marian Anderson in the coat is from UPenn.

Philippe Halsman, 1944

Collection location: UPenn Ms. Coll. 198: Box 91, Folder 1, Item 1

University of Pennsylvania: Marian Anderson Collection, ID Number
3936

Danbury Museum @danburymuseum.bsky.social · Dec 12

There’s not much more #FestiveClothes for #ArchiveAdventCalendar than a gown/dress/coat worn by Marian Anderson. This beautiful coat is one of several pieces of Miss Anderson’s that are within our collection. She wore this piece for decades, and it was loved.

Velvet damask embroidered coat with gold, purple, burgundy, and a woven reddish trim. From the Danbury Museum Collection of Marian Anderson costumes.

Photo of Black contralto Marian Anderson in a velvet damask robe, 1944. Photo is sepia toned.

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Danbury Museum @danburymuseum.bsky.social · Dec 12

Getting caught up with #ArchiveAdventCalendar! Yesterday’s #WinterWonderland theme we thought, well, let’s show off how pretty our campus is in winter! Our goal? Today’s post…later today! #Danbury

Snowy garden photo looking at two 18th century buildings on the Danbury Museum campus. Yellow-brown building is the John Dodd Hat Shop where were share our hatting history, the larger gray colonial with attached rooms, is the John and Mary Rider House where we discuss Colonial life in Danbury. Snow on the boxwood shrubs in the foreground.

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Danbury Museum @danburymuseum.bsky.social · Dec 11

We were off our game yesterday and forgot to post our #ChristmasCards for day 10 of #ArchiveAdventCalendar! These are all from a collection that belonged to Ann Ava Miller, and we think they are charming.

A trio of vintage 1940s/50s Christmas cards, one with Santa and a snowman, one featuring a young girl with woodland creatures, and one with a poinsettia.

A greeting inside a Christmas card. “When you part from your friend, you grieve not…”

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Danbury Museum @danburymuseum.bsky.social · Dec 7

We are most grateful to have been the recipients of grants from #WCDNF for new archival materials over the year.

Danbury Museum @danburymuseum.bsky.social · Dec 7

Today’s @arascot.bsky.social #ArchivesAdventCalendar theme is #ChristmasCharity. The Woman’s Club of Danbury/New Fairfield sells poinsettias as their annual fundraiser and the proceeds go to many area non-profits. And they are *the* most beautiful plants!

Bright red poinsettia flower petals and deep green leaves.

Business card from the Woman’s Club of Danbury New Fairfield.

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Danbury Museum @danburymuseum.bsky.social · Dec 6

Ooooooh!

The Met: Costume Institute @metcostume.bsky.social · Dec 6

Coat https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/103917

Danbury Museum @danburymuseum.bsky.social · Dec 6

The Ives Birthplace would be moved around the corner up to Chapel Place in the 1920s, and then over to Rogers Park, and finally to its current spot at 5 Mountainville Avenue. The Ives family owned the home from 1829 through the early 1960s.

Danbury Museum @danburymuseum.bsky.social · Dec 6

St Nick would have been visiting this #chimney from about 1780 onward! This is the Charles E Ives Birthplace in its original location on Main Street here in Danbury. With the bit of snow and bare trees, the photo looks to have been taken on a wintry day like today! #ArchiveAdventCalendar

18th century wood frame home with gambrel roof and central chimney mass, birthplace of Charles E. Ives. Four six over six windows, but shutters are closed on one. Wreath graphic has been added to front door. Some snow on the ground, no leaves on trees. Commercial structure to the right is former Savings Bank of Danbury, now called Ives Bank.

Festive graphic with hashtags for #ArchiveAdvent Calendar and social media handles.

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Danbury Museum @danburymuseum.bsky.social · Dec 5

What a lovely graphic!

University of Brighton Design Archives @designarchives.bsky.social · Dec 5

Post Early poster, designed by HA Rothholtz for the Post Office Savings Bank, ca 1945
#ArchiveAdventCalendar #Tree @scotsarchives.bsky.social

HA Rothholz Archive
ID: RHZ/4/1/14

Illustration of a Christmas tree with a candle in front. Large coloured rectangles are sticking out of the tree which may be letters or presents

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Danbury Museum @danburymuseum.bsky.social · Dec 5

#Trees —within trees—for today’s #ArchiveAdventCalendar. This undated photo of Danbury’s Main Street shows shops all lit up for the holidays and what appears to be small, real fir trees within the lit triangles on the lampposts.

Black and white photo of a street lined with cars showing shops all lit up and decorated for the holidays. Lights can be seen strung across the streets with Christmas trees on the light poles. Likely 1960s.

Holiday themed graphic with a tree and hashtag.

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Danbury Museum @danburymuseum.bsky.social · Dec 4

The White Turkey Inn main structure was built in 1760, and was on the site of the present day shopping area on Federal Road/White Turkey Rd that houses Raymour & Flanigan, Michael’s and a Bagelman. #ArchiveAdventCalendar @arascot.bsky.social

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Danbury Museum @danburymuseum.bsky.social · Dec 4

Today’s #ArchiveAdventCalendar theme is #FestiveFeast. We’re sharing a feast from the White Turkey Inn—and even a tasty Wassail Bowl recipe.

Page from a book that includes a recipe for a Wassail Bowl that was made during the holidays at the White Turkey Inn.

Suggested Thanksgiving menu from the old White Turkey Inn. Dining options include stuffed goose, roast young turkey, suggested wines, cheese courses, and desserts.

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Danbury Museum @danburymuseum.bsky.social · Dec 3

We shared our own version of this classic school bell over on the photo place. We still use ours for school field trips. 🔔🔔

Image of a large 19th century school bell—rung by hand—that was used to summon Danbury students to school. Image is black and white and a modern Christmas wreath graphic has been added.

Danbury Museum @danburymuseum.bsky.social · Dec 3

Apologies for forgetting the alt text—we’ll do better tomorrow!

Danbury Museum @danburymuseum.bsky.social · Dec 3

While the Foster Brothers Planing Mill is no more, the “Fairfield County Jail” is still extant (cells, and all!) on the corner of Main St and Wooster St. (The building is not open to the public.)

Danbury Museum @danburymuseum.bsky.social · Dec 3

Today’s #ArchiveAdventCalendar theme is #bells. The Danbury themed tree we have in our foyer has these adorable homemade ornaments (spools wrapped with printouts of old Danbury Sanborn Fire Insurance maps) complete with jingle bells!

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Danbury Museum @danburymuseum.bsky.social · Dec 2

This home was donated by the White family to be used as Danbury’s Public Library in the 1870s until a new, purpose-built structure was erected.

Danbury Museum @danburymuseum.bsky.social · Dec 2

Our friends at ARA Scotland have a wonderful initiative for the festive season, and we’ll be sharing posts across our platforms this month. First up is #Snow, this undated image of the home of Col E Moss White on Main Street here in Danbury, CT. #ArchiveAdventCalendar

Listing of dates and themes for archival posts for the month of December.

Snow laden trees and a large snowy lot in a sepia toned image from the late 19th century. Large two-story stately colonial home with black shutters and chimneys.

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