By Stan Siegel / #49 / 01/24/16

∎ A BIT OF HISTORY – EAST NORWALK SCHOOLS

On September 8th, 10th, 11th and 12th in 1901, Norwalk celebrated the 250th Anniversary of the “Charter of the Town.” A 387-page book – Norwalk after 250 Years – was published “under the nominal direction of the “Norwalks Historical and Memorial Library Association.” Included on pages 109 through 112 was the “History of the East Norwalk School, by Augustus C. Golding.” Here follows excerpts from those pages.

“The first mention of a school in the town proceedings is dated May 29, 1678. The town voted and agreed to hire a school master to teach all the children in the town to read, and write, and the Townsmen (selectmen) were instructed to hire Mr. Cornish on as reasonable terms as they can.

“February 20, 1670, James Olmstead was appointed school master to set copies for the children. November 17, 1679, it was voted to build a school house 20 feet long, 18 feet wide, posts 7 feet, and to be no less than 6 feet from floor to ceiling; it was to stand between Samuel Keeler’s corner and the water flood, which has been located near the barn of W.S. Hanford directly in front of the upper school house.

“February 21, 1692, Mr. Thomas Hanford, Jr. was chosen school master, to be paid 1 pound 10 shillings (about $7.50) per month. He was born in the town July 18, 1668 and lived where the Rev. Mr. Selleck lives on the town street now called East Avenue. He died in 1743, and is buried in the nearby cemetery.

“December 12, 1705, voted that the lots in rear of Mr. Buckingham’s, called pasture lots, shall be sequestered for school use 4 acres to be a remain for the use of the schoolmaster. Rev. Mr. Buckingham’s lots is now crossed by the NYNH&HRR, the east bound station being on it.

“We will now come down to more modern times… in 1868, the district acquired a portion of the site on which the upper school building stands and the front part of the building was erected, there was one large room on the second floor (since divided) an two rooms on the first floor… When the building was finished the system of seating and desks now in use were introduced, to the great comfort of the pupils; but it is to be hoped that before many years the present old fashioned seats, and desks will give way to the single desk, and seat for each pupil, that can be adjusted to fit the scholar, be he or she, tall or short.

“When the town was divided into districts this was called the Down Town District, till about 18 years ago, when the name was changed to East Norwalk.

“In 1896 the district voted to buy five lots on Gregory Boulevard and Second avenue, making 150 feet on the first street, and 250 feet on the avenue.

“In 1897 the district voted to erect the present eight room brick building on the new site.

“The district is second in town in the number of scholars attending school, and it may be safely said, better provided with room than any other large district.

“The East Norwalk schools stand well in the estimation of those qualified to judge.”

∎ SPOTLIGHT ON BUSINESS: BCF COMMUNICATIONS

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∎ ENBA ENABLES FREE FLU SHOTS

The East Norwalk Business Association (ENBA) has partnered with Doctors Express Urgent Care at 607 Main Avenue for its members and friends to obtain free flu shots. No appointment is necessary, just visit Doctors Express Urgent care and indicate that you are a member or friend of the East Norwalk Business Association (ENBA). Doctors Express Urgent Care is open7 days

a week.

The East Norwalk Business Association is at 25 Van Zant Street, East Norwalk – 203-854-5722 – email: .

∎ EAST NORWALK ASSOCIATION ANNUAL MEETING

The 106th Annual Meeting of the East Norwalk Association will be held on Tuesday, January 26, at 7:00pm in the East Norwalk Association Library’s Van Zilen Community Hall, 51 Van Zant Street. The meeting will include a report of the previous year’s activities, the year ahead, a report by the ENA Board members of the TTD Library Planning Committee, election of Officers by the ENA Membership, and an opportunity for questions, answers, general discussions and meet and greet. The public is invited, and urged, to attend.

The East Norwalk Improvement Association was organized September 30, 1910 at the Mayflower Fire Housewith 30 ladies attending the meeting -- a Nominating Committee was appointed to secure a slate of officers. In the Fall of 1913 the building of a Community Hall was voted to be the main project of the coming year. A Building Site Committee was appointed. In April, 1914, the lot on Van Zant Street (Number 51) was selected and purchased for $900. It was voted in October 1916 to build a hall of brick large enough for social gatherings, card parties, etc. with separate rooms to house the Library. The Library was originally opened in January, 1915 in a front room of Rundle's Bakery on Van Zant Street. In 1917 the Library was moved into the Community Hall. The Library has served the Third District continuously throughout the entire time and since, with an ever increasing circulation of books.

The Third Taxing District Electors provide an annual appropriation to support the East Norwalk Association Library.

∎ “LIKE” EAST NORWALK LBRARY ON “FACEBOOK”

The East Norwalk Library now has a “Facebook” presence. Log onto Facebook and search for East Norwalk Library – “like” the Library and you’ll be privy to happenings, and other bits of information regarding the East Norwalk Library and the community it serves. See us on the web – www.eastnorwalklibrary.org.

∎ EAST NORWALK ASSOCIATION LIBRARY HOURS:

Monday through Friday, 12:30 to 5:30, Saturday, 9:30 to 5:30, closed Sunday and Holidays.

∎ “INSIDE EAST NORWALK”

If there’s some East Norwalk “happening” or other East Norwalk news or features you would like to share with the readers, email: , or call 203-249-6293

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