Tercentennial To Celebrate Newtown Families

The Committee to Celebrate Historic Families for Newtown’s Tercentennial is reminding families who may not have had the time to sign up for the showcase that there is still time to return an application or simply call a member of the committee to be put on the list.

On Sunday, December 4, the committee will showcase as many “historic” families as possible in an effort to share an important part of Newtown’s history with those who live in the town today. The event will take place on the upper floor of the historic Booth Library on Main Street from 11 am to 4 pm.

People whose families have lived in Newtown for 75 years or more will be considered notable families; those who have been in Newtown for more than 100 years are classified as historic, and those who have been in town for more than 200 years are called founding fathers.

Displaying and showcasing is very easy, according to committee member Mae Schmidle. The committee will supply a table, red felt cloth, hand-printed name signs, and a display board, if requested. Exhibiting families need only bring a few photos, some information, or any memorabilia or family items they might choose to share.

“What a wonderful way for today’s Newtowners to see and develop an appreciation of their Newtown roots,” said committee member Sally O’Neil.

Ms Schmidle said the information requested on the showcase application is extremely simple: the name of the family to be featured in the showcase, and the person to contact with phone and address including city and state. A fax number or email address, if available, would be appreciated as well, Ms Schmidle said.

To receive an application, or for more information, contact any member of the committee including Marg Studley, 426-3651; Sally O’Neil, 426-2607; Mae Schmidle, 426-6264; Colleen Honan, 426-0714; Marie Walker, 426-9781; Barbara Bloom, 270-7703. The committee is available to assist any family that wants to showcase.

So far there are more than a dozen families who will be participating. They are coming with a wealth of information, Ms Schmidle said, such as who worked in which famous business or industry around town; what famous people were elected officials; who made Main Street famous; the Irish immigrants; the Jewish settlement; what famous person was buried on Church Hill Road; which church had services in a movie theater.

The Newtown Historic Family Showcase promises interesting insight into Newtown’s history through the sharing of their heritage by local families, Ms Schmidle said.