Skip to main content

Click Here to Renew your Membership!

search

VISIT
PROGRAMS &
EVENTS
EDUCATION
- Group & School Visits
- Stonington Historic Walking Tour
JOIN &
SUPPORT
SHOP

BUY TICKETS
search
0

was successfully added to your cart.

Press enter to begin your search

The Cannon Ball

Captain Palmer House

Join us for our 25th annual major fundraiser of the year, the Cannon Ball. Live and silent auctions, cash prizes, live music by Big Lux, and more will be featured during this gala event.

historicstonington

Development@stoningtonhistory.org

Happy Saint Patrick's Day! In honor of our Irish f

Happy Saint Patrick's Day! In honor of our Irish friends and neighbors, today we are honoring Mary Mullaney Brannegan (1908-2000), a lifelong resident of Pawcatuck. She was born in 1908 to Patrick Mullaney and Mary Ann Shea in the house at 7 Stillman Avenue. Her father was a marine engineer on the steamboat "Annie Wilcox", and her ancestors had come from counties Kerry and Lietrim, Ireland. As a young woman, Mary helped organize and run the first Girl Scout troop at St. Michael's parish in 1922, and soon after began work on the famous St. Michael Parish News. Later, she continued to run columns of "tidbits of local color" in the Westerly Sun newspaper. Mary studied at Bryant University, and became a teacher in the Business Department at the High School. In 1943 she married Daniel F. Brannegan of Mystic, and together they raised two children in Mary's childhood home. In addition to political activism as a dedicated Democrat, she was perhaps best known for her self-created role at St. Michael church. As Larry O'Keefe put it, "Whenever there was a wedding, Mary was there to tend to the bride. And when there was a funeral, Mary was there to organize and prepare the reception after the service." Local resident Jean Fiore shared her memories of her own wedding day: "My mother assured me that Mary would be there waiting in the vestibule. It was unofficial role she carved out for herself. Much to my delight, as I passed through the doors of St. Michael, there she was to see me off. As I prepared to walk down the aisle, escorted by my dad, I knew my nuptials had been blessed by the mere presence of Mary Brannegan in that vestibule on Liberty Street." Many other brides reminisced about their own wedding days - Mary fluffing their gowns, and fussing with their floral arrangements before they walked down the aisle.

#localhistory #womenshistory #irishhistory #community #stmichael #catholic #church #religion #volunteerism #themoreyouknow #activism #memories #girlpower #pawcatuckct #stoningtonct #mysticct #irish #immigrants #education #weddings #womenshistorymonth

Grace Denison Wheeler (1858-1956), pictured here i

Grace Denison Wheeler (1858-1956), pictured here in the black dress, was one of Stonington's foremost historians. The daughter of Richard A. Wheeler, noted author and historian, and his wife Lucy Noyes; Grace grew up in the ancestral Wheeler homestead. Considering the fact that Grace was born before the Civil War, she became a woman well ahead of her time. Ms. Wheeler had a professional career as an author, lecturer and newspaper reporter; raised four adopted children; wrote and published four books, the last of which when she was 93 years old; and conducted research into countless families and historic homes of the town. When she was 72, Grace travelled to the more than 60 cemeteries in Stonington, transcribing the engravings on every stone. Grace never married, but the adoration and respect of the community ensured she was never lonely. When she was finally admitted to an assisted living facility, her birthday was celebrated every year with gusto. The year before she died, on her 97th birthday, tea was poured from a silver tea service presented to her grandparents on their golden wedding anniversary in 1868. Her contributions to documenting the history of Stonington cannot be overstated, and continue to inform researchers, community members and staff alike. Cheers to this incredible woman!

The other woman in the photograph is identified as Eliza Denison; taken in 1883.
#womenshistory #community #stoningtonct #history #localhistory #wheeler #genealogy #progressive #womenshistorymonth #celebrate #themoreyouknow #mysticct #pawcatuckct #cemeteries #author #historian #researcher #photography #memories #archives #girlpower #19thcentury

Doesn't this feel like the longest winter ever? Co

Doesn't this feel like the longest winter ever? Come and join us for a slice of spring on March 22nd at 10am at the Captain Palmer House. All supplies are provided to create your own tiny terrarium and it is just $10 per person! Register at historicstonington.org, and click "Buy Tickets".

#localhistory #spring #green #plants #terrarium #wardiancases #botany #travel #plantingseason #program #familyfriendly #handson #stoningtonct #mysticct #pawcatuckct #community

This unidentified portrait of a baby was found in

This unidentified portrait of a baby was found in our collection, but provides a significant insight into having children in the 19th century. On average, the infant mortality rate in the United States during that time was about 30%, meaning one in three children born would die before their first birthday, and about 43% did not survive past the age of five. Most of these deaths were caused by malnutrition, infectious diseases and anemia. Women were key in the development of vaccines that would help dramatically reduce the infant mortality rate. For example, Lady Mary Wortley Montagu (1689-1762) introduced smallpox inoculation into Western medicine, after visiting the Ottoman Empire and witnessing the success of smallpox inoculations. She wanted to spare her children from suffering from the disease, and in 1718 had her four-year-old son, Edward, vaccinated. When she returned to London, she promoted the medicine, despite deep resistance from the medical establishment. In 1796, Edward Jenner was credited with developing the smallpox vaccine, although Ms. Montagu had realized its potential nearly 80 years previously. Dr. Anna Wessels Williams (1863-1954) developed a diphtheria vaccine in 1894, which is still in use as part of the DTP vaccines that children receive worldwide. Two other women, Dr. Pearl Kendrick (1890-1980) and Dr. Grace Eldering (1900-1988) were responsible for developing the whooping cough vaccine, on a very limited budget. The women tested the vaccine on themselves first, before running a successful clinical trial.

#womenshistory #women #womeninstem #historyofmedicine #childbirth #infantmortality #history #community #womenandchildren #19thcentury #20thcentury #vaccines #science #leadership

Gertrude Matilda Carlsen was born in Kristianopels

Gertrude Matilda Carlsen was born in Kristianopels, Sweden on August 6, 1893 to August and Annie Carlsen. At the age of five, she immigrated to the United States, arriving in Boston in 1898. Gertrude married Henry A. Pringle in 1914 , and had her son Lawrence Arthur Pringle in July the following year. However, Henry and Gertrude had a tumultuous marriage and they divorced before 1930. She married her second husband, Edward Daniel Murray, (who was twenty two years her elder), in Newport, RI on November 16, 1936. Not long after their marriage, Gertrude and Edward opened The Gertrude Pringle Murray Nursing Home, at 81 Granite Street in New London. Edward died in 1942, and three years later, Gertrude became the proprietress of Edgemere Manor, opening it as a restaurant and inn. Her business was very popular, especially as men returned from War looking to forget their troubles and relax. For many years Edgemere Manor was the place for school reunions, Christmas parties, and celebratory family dinners. After eleven years in business, at the age of sixty three, Gertrude sold the business on Cove Road. She lived another thirty seven years, dying at age ninety nine in 1993.

#localhistory #coveroad #stoningtonct #mysticct #pawcatuckct #restaurant #business #womenshistory #womenownedbusiness #history #community #memories #wwii #immigrantownedbusiness #Swedish #biography

"Tigh le chéile agus seinn còmhla rinn" (Come si

"Tigh le chéile agus seinn còmhla rinn" (Come sing with us) at St. Michael's Parish Hall on Thursday, March 13th at 6pm when the Band of Steady Habits will present The Irish in Connecticut - songs of struggle, perseverance, acceptance and success. We bet you'll recognize more than a few of these songs! This event is fun for the whole family, and we can't wait to see you!

#localhistory #irish #immigration #Ireland #culture #history #community #pawcatuckct #catholic #themoreyouknow #eventsnearme #familyfriendly #concert #band

Just a friendly reminder that the Woolworth Librar

Just a friendly reminder that the Woolworth Library is closed today for professional development. Thank you for your understanding. We will see you next week!

#library #closed #community #localhistory #professionaldevelopment #stoningtonct

Did you catch Library Director Chelsea Mitchell's

Did you catch Library Director Chelsea Mitchell's talk at the Road Church in January on the Sister Sailors of Stonington? If not, we are happy to share this recording from The First Congregational Church of Stonington. It is an in-depth look at the experience of women who accompanied their husbands onboard ship for years at a time, through their own words recorded in letters and diaries. Click the link in our bio.

#womenshistorymonth #womenshistory #community #maritimehistory #whaling #chinatrade #sailing #women #19thcentury #diaries #letters #history #stoningtonct #pawcatuckct #mysticct #themoreyouknow #remember

Dia duit! Be sure to join us on Thursday, March 13

Dia duit! Be sure to join us on Thursday, March 13th at St. Michael's Parish Hall for a celebration of Irish music and culture. The Band of Steady Habits will be presenting a concert on the Irish in Connecticut, beginning at 6pm that will explore familiar tunes brought to America by the Irish, as well as stories of immigration to Connecticut. This is an event that's sure to be fun for the whole family. We can't wait to dance with you!

#localhistory #irish #immigration #music #concert #folk #Ireland #culture #celebration #education #history #community #pawcatuckct #band #eventsnearme #familyfriendly

Ice skating on "the mitten" - the cove near the Ca

Ice skating on "the mitten" - the cove near the Captain Nathaniel B. Palmer House, undated. Gift of Harriet Babcock Brown.

#localhistory #winter #cold #snow #skating #iceskating #history #community #stoningtonct #memories #childhood #fun #games

Welcome to Historic Stonington.
Our mission is to preserve, interpret, and
celebrate the history of all of Stonington.

DONATE

©2024 Historic Stonington | Site Refresh by Dessa Lea Productions

P.O. Box 103, Stonington CT 06378 | director@historicstonington.org | (860) 535-8445

About
Mission Statement
Financial and Governance Documents
Board of Directors & Staff
Collaborations & Sponsors
Privacy Policy
News
Contact

"*" indicates required fields

Sign Up to Stay in Touch

First and Last Name*

Email*

By submitting this form, you are consenting to receive marketing emails from: Historic Stonington, 40 Palmer Street, Stonington, CT 06378, US, http://www.historicstonington.org. You can unsubscribe at any time by using the SafeUnsubscribe® link, found at the bottom of every email. Emails are serviced by Constant Contact.

©2023 Historic Stonington | Site Refresh by Dessa Lea Productions

Click Here to Renew your Membership!

VISIT
PROGRAMS &
EVENTS
EDUCATION
- Group & School Visits
- Stonington Historic Walking Tour
JOIN &
SUPPORT
SHOP