Fairfield Museum Fall Newsletter 2023

Fall 2023

Board of Directors

Bill Winget, Vice President

Chris Daley, Treasurer

Rosalina Thomas, Secretary

Board Members

Edie Blair

Kate Browning

Ellen Gould

Joyce Hergenhan

Erin Hermann

David Hermenze

Greg Keeley

Jill Littig

Roger Ludwig

Niels Lyng-Olsen

William Mallin

Tom Mindrum

By the Numbers

July 1, 2022 - June 30, 2023

Museum visitors:

26,851

School field trips: 163 from 46 schools

Alan Neigher

Missy Palmisano

Joseph Rog

Steve Schiffman

Gerald Torres

Laura Wilson

Student visitors:

3,407

Economic benefit to Fairfield’s economy: $2,080,150

Docents play an important role at the Fairfield Museum. Their passion for history and dedication to volunteering are invaluable to a small organization like ours. In the summers, they help activate the Ogden House, welcoming visitors on guided tours. Our docents are also integral to our K-12 programs, leading interactive experiences for thousands of students each year. Thank you to all of our docents—we couldn’t do it without you!

Huge thanks to: Gary Faulkner, Russell Jennings, Lee Kamlet, Jill Littig, Diane Pagnozzi, Nina Riccio, Patricia Rock, Jeff Rogart, Richard “Deej” Webb.

Museum Staff

pictured top left to right: Ed Surato, Librarian; Jessica Wilson, Assistant Director of Development and Administration; Allison Burress, Event Manager; Ann Myles, Bookkeeper; Diane Lee, Collections Manager; Walter Matis, Program & Volunteer Coordinator; Natalie Zaleski, Education Assistant.

pictured bottom left to right: Nancy Haberly, Visitor Services and Museum Shop Manager; Michelle Cheng, Deputy Director for Programs; Michael A. Jehle, Executive Director; Rachel Hollis, Marketing and Communications Manager; Chelsea Garth, Curator.

Susan Bonner, President

Executive Director’s Letter

120 years ago, a group of visionary citizens met in Fairfield’s First Congregational Church to establish the Fairfield Historical Society in an effort to preserve the vanishing artifacts and stories of our Town’s founding families. Their efforts were motivated in part by fear of a changing community and a desire to protect historic privileges. But their fears proved unfounded, for what has grown out of that period of uncertainty is the vibrant, diverse, and thriving Fairfield community we enjoy today.

The Fairfield Museum and History Center—the Historical Society’s successor—is constantly evolving to better understand, preserve, and celebrate the previously hidden and ignored stories from our past. After more than a decade of research and listening, we have recently re-opened our flagship exhibit Creating Community: 400 Years of Fairfield Stories to present a more complete and inclusive exploration of our shared history. Alongside the accounts of Fairfield’s founding families, visitors can now learn about the enduring aspirations of Fairfield’s enslaved, disenfranchised, and unseen citizens who were vital to building our community.

We believe that taking a clear-eyed look at our past can serve as a powerful catalyst for positive change and it is our hope that visitors to Creating Community will better understand and empathize with the human complexities, successes, and struggles that have come before us. When we honestly explore our past, we create a stronger foundation of knowledge, accountability, and resilience that helps us build a more inclusive and just society.

I am inspired and humbled every day by the dedication of our talented Board, staff, and volunteers; the generosity of our donors; and the encouragement of our community. Thanks to all of you, the Fairfield Museum continues to be a thriving center of community life, where we can explore our fascinating past, learn something new, and together create a strong future for Fairfield.

I look forward to seeing you soon at the Fairfield Museum.

Our Mission and Values

The Fairfield Museum and History Center inspires civic engagement by celebrating the diverse history of our region and its people. As a dynamic public forum, we believe in the power of art and humanities to inspire the imagination, stimulate ideas, and build a better society.

To accomplish our mission, we are…

Passionate

We love what we do and share our enthusiasm with others.

Open

Public service is at our core. Our collections, exhibitions, and programs are a resource for the entire community.

Inclusive

Our collections, programs, staffing, and governance reflect the diversity of the community we serve. We work collaboratively to widen the perspectives included in our work.

Welcoming

We encourage our visitors to make deep connections and have inspirational experiences in a safe, welcoming, and enjoyable environment. We work to make the Museum accessible to everyone.

Adventurous

We encourage creativity, excellence, innovation, risk-taking, and collegiality in all that we do. We try new things and push boundaries, seeking fresh ways to achieve our mission.

Empathetic

Michael A. Jehle Executive Director

We strive to see things from other people’s perspectives.

You Won’t Want to Miss the Newly Renovated Creating Community: 400 Years of Fairfield Stories Exhibit

A decade in the making, the newly updated Creating Community: 400 Years of Fairfield Stories is an exciting longterm exhibition that celebrates the fascinating stories and people unique to Fairfield, from early Native American settlement into the 21st century. The exhibit features new research and discoveries on pre-colonial Native history, African American history, and the contributions of the many groups who built this multi-faceted community.

This extraordinary exhibit has been made possible by the generous support of the National Endowment for the Humanities, the National Park Service – American Battlefield Protection Program, the Town of Fairfield, the CT Arts Endowment, Bank of America, Fairfield Rotary Foundation, CT Humanities, M&T Bank Foundation, Pequot Running Club, the Perry Family, the Ernest & Joan Trefz Foundation, and the Southport Area Association.

1637 Battle of Pequot Swamp Archaeology Project

This spring, the Fairfield Museum completed a momentous 8-year research and archaeology project documenting the final battle of the 1637 Pequot War that occurred in present-day Southport. The Pequot War was the first major conflict between Native Americans and Europeans in America, and the Battle of Munnacommuck Swamp (July 13-14, 1637), known locally as the “Pequot Swamp Fight,” was the catalyst for the English settlement of Fairfield.

In the 17th century, thousands of Native members of the Pequot Confederation resided in coastal communities from the Connecticut River to the Hudson River. Locally, the Sasqua people of Sasquanaug (Southport) resided between Sasco Creek and the Sasqua (Mill) River while the Pequonnock people lived between Uncoway (Fairfield) and the Pequonnock River. The Pequot defeat at Munnacommuck Swamp led to the destruction of local Native communities. Survivors from the battle were forced off their land and many were sold into slavery.

To better understand and properly document that pivotal battle and its aftermath, the Fairfield Museum obtained grant funding from the National Park Service’s American Battlefield Protection Program that allowed us to conduct extensive research and uncover nearly 100 battle-related artifacts. Working closely with Native American consultants, archaeologists, and historians, the Museum is now displaying some of those artifacts in our newly renovated Creating Community: 400 Years of Fairfield Stories exhibit. In 2024, in partnership with the Sasquanaug Association, the story of Southport’s Sasqua people and the Battle of Munnacommuck Swamp will also be told through a series of outdoor interpretive panels displayed in Southport Park. Visit our website to learn more:

fairfieldhistory.org/ research/pequot-warbattlefield-project/

Image courtesy of RISD Museum

Fairfield Museum Welcomes the City of Bridgeport Lighthouse Program

The Fairfield Museum recently established a partnership with the City of Bridgeport Lighthouse Program, an innovative school and community program that operates in 25 Bridgeport Public Schools. The program offers educational, cultural, and recreational opportunities for more than 2,200 students daily after school and during the summer.

The Fairfield Museum has been delighted to host more than 660 students so far this year. They loved visiting our special exhibition The Road to Busytown: Richard Scarry’s Life in Fairfield County, learning about Native communities and culture, and exploring the history of technology and innovation in Fairfield and Bridgeport. For many students, it was their first time visiting a museum. We look forward to continuing this exciting partnership and welcoming even more students into the coming year!

Summer Saturdays on the Museum Commons

The Museum’s new Summer Saturdays on the Museum Commons were a tremendous success this year. More than 600 visitors explored Fairfield’s historic properties, participated in drop-in drawing sessions led by local artists, enjoyed storytime with the Fairfield Public Library, played lawn games, and made arts & crafts. Open Play at the Victorian Cottage was especially fun for little ones (and parents) this summer so we’ve extended our hours through mid-December! The Victorian Cottage will be open on Tuesdays from 10am-12pm through December 19. A big thanks to our seasonal staff and volunteers Maria Abbazia, our Summer Site Supervisor, and high school volunteer Oliver Mascera (pictured).

The Best Summer Ever!

Fairfield Museum started History Camp more than 20 years ago— and it remains one of our favorite programs. This summer, we hosted new Spy, Innovation, and Archaeology Camps in addition to History Camp. The kids had so much fun bringing history to life through art-making, gallery exploration, outdoor play on the Museum Commons, and handson activities. Our summer camp programs are becoming more and more popular each year and tend to sell out fast. Be sure to sign up for our email newsletter by visiting fairfieldhistory.org to be notified of next year’s registration dates.

Fairfield Museum Joins New Statewide Civics Education Program

August Teacher Workshop with Native American Tribes

In August, Fairfield Museum hosted an inspiring two-day educational workshop with our partners at Fairfield Public Schools to develop new skills in teaching Native American history and culture. We were honored to have representatives from each of the five Native American tribes recognized in Connecticut who provided invaluable guidance on teaching new social studies standards.

The Fairfield Museum is a key partner in the new Civics Education for Connecticut Students Project. Along with our partners at the Mark Twain House & Museum, Mystic Seaport Museum, and Connecticut Democracy Center at Connecticut’s Old State House, this 3-year project will provide more than 100,000 K-5 students with civics education. Students will explore their vital roles and responsibilities in their communities while deepening their understanding of federal, state, and local government. By identifying ways to share their voices and spark change in their communities, students will be inspired to strengthen the future of our democracy.

Fairfield Museum Awarded

Prestigious ACE Award

The Fairfield Museum was honored this year with the 2023 Daniel E. Offutt III Arts & Culture Empowerment Nonprofit Award from the Cultural Alliance of Fairfield County. Chosen from among all cultural organizations in Fairfield County, the ACE Award recognizes the Fairfield Museum for making vital contributions to regional arts and culture through visionary leadership, community engagement, and creative innovation.

Museum Staff Presents at the Museums, Games & Play Summit

Deputy Director for Programs Michelle Cheng and Curator Chelsea Garth will be highlighting some of the Museum’s creative interpretation and audience engagement strategies at the upcoming Museums, Games & Play Summit, a virtual conference hosted by MuseumNext on October 23 & 24. The Summit brings together museum professionals from around the globe to share best practices in creating engaging, playful experiences both in the museum and online.

Welcoming New Staff

Ed Surato, Librarian

Ed has been a librarian for nearly 30 years, most recently as Director of the Whitney Library at the New Haven Museum. Ed holds a Bachelor’s degree in Economics and a Master’s degree in Library Science from Southern Connecticut State University. He is a veteran of the United States Air Force and served as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Eswatini, Africa.

Natalie Zaleski, Education Assistant

Our new Education Assistant Natalie has been leading school groups when they visit the Fairfield Museum on field trips and helping out with fun community events. She studied English and Global Studies at Marist College and completed a graduate degree in Applied Linguistics at Boston University.

Fairfield Museum Executive Director Michael Jehle with Cultural Alliance of Fairfield County Executive Director David Green (left) and actor James Naughton (right).

What’s on the Horizon

Mark Your Calendar for these Exciting Upcoming Programs

• November 18-19: Holiday Pop-Up Market

• December 2-31: Holiday Express Train Show

• December 2: Winter Whimsy & Grand Opening of Holiday Express Train Show

• December 3: Holiday Wreath Workshop for Adults

• December 9: Build-a-Train Family Workshop

• December 16: Candy House Family Workshop

• December 26-28:

Drop-in Paint-a-Train Family Workshop

• January 15, 2024:

Celebrating Cultures Community Day

• February 17, 2024:

Lunar New Year Celebration

A Welcoming Space for All

The Fairfield Museum is excited to work on several different projects that will continue to make our programs and exhibitions more accessible to more people. This fall, the Museum will begin partnering with the Alzheimer’s Association Connecticut Chapter to provide free dementia-friendly programs. The Museum also recently received funding from CT Humanities to add accessible resources to the new Creating Community exhibition, including large-print labels for people with low vision, Spanish language translations of labels, and videos with closed captions. Investing in accessibility is an important part of the Museum’s role in serving as a welcoming space for all.

Become a Member

Be a part of Fairfield’s history by becoming a member of the Fairfield Museum! Your support helps us to further our vision to use history to strengthen community and shape the future for generations to come. Enjoy member benefits such as free Museum admission, program discounts for summer camps, workshops, and lectures, 10% off all items in the Museum Gift Shop, and much more. Visit fairfieldhistory.org to join today!

Upcoming Exhibits

Dearly Departed: Mourning & Memory

October 7 – January 28, 2024

How do we reckon with death? How do we wish to be remembered? Dearly Departed: Mourning and Memory explores the inescapable truth of our mortality and how people have confronted it. Whether a loved one or a public figure, people have memorialized and honored others they care about. Art, fashion, and literature—from gravestone designs to ghost stories—help us process grief and find comfort. The exhibition showcases artifacts, costumes, and ephemera that reveal the many ways people maintain connections to ones they have lost and celebrate their legacy.

IMAGES 2024 Juried Photography Exhibition

March 9 – April 21, 2024

The Fairfield Museum’s IMAGES exhibition is now in its 15th year! This juried photography exhibition celebrates the exceptional work of talented professional, serious amateur, and student photographers from the region. Photographs will be juried by Maureen Cavanagh, Former Photo Editor at Sports Illustrated and Creative Director at The Players Tribune; Jade-Snow Joachim, Former Photo Editor at the Washington Post and NY Times, now Director of Photography at Politico; and Brad Smith, Founder & Director of Brad Smith Creative and Vice President for Photography for the WWE. IMAGES 2024 is sponsored by the Saft Family in memory of Marcia B. Saft.

Join the 1639 Society – So that our history has a future!

The Fairfield Museum has grown to become one of the leading cultural organizations in southwestern CT, welcoming more than 25,000 visitors each year and providing vital educational programs for more than 4,000 students from across our region. As a community-supported non-profit, the Museum relies on the generous support of hundreds of individual donors from across our regional community.

You can join other visionary donors who are helping to secure the Fairfield Museum’s strong future by making a planned gift from your estate. Whether through your will, trust, retirement plan, or life insurance, there are several ways you can ensure your legacy while making sure that the Fairfield Museum can continue to serve future generations. To learn more contact Executive Director, Michael Jehle at (203) 259-1598.

The Fairfield Museum brings people together from all backgrounds and provides a multitude of programs that showcase all of the arts and humanities. I hope that my planned gift provides for continued creative programming so others may learn about our wonderful Town of Fairfield, CT. – Dr. Heather Hamilton

I want to be sure the Museum stays vibrant and important to Fairfield. – John

Herzog

IMAGES Featured Photographer: Isabel Chenoweth

March 9 – May 5, 2024

A long-time resident of Connecticut, photographer Isabel Chenoweth explores a variety of landscapes in her work, recording the visual shifts in natural habitats, whether through development, storms, drought, or climate change. She highlights abstractions and details in the landscape, which both reveal and obscure the complexity of nature. This exhibition pulls from her series of photographs, Connecticut’s Tidal Zones, where she explores the state’s wetlands and tidal areas, delicate ecosystems critical to the conservation and preservation of natural resources.

The Fairfield Museum is a community treasure that celebrates both our history and our present with a wonderful mix of exhibits, educational programs, and fun events for the entire family. I support it through my planned giving to help ensure it will continue to be this amazing community resource. – Joyce

Hergenhan

Presenting outstanding exhibits bringing Fairfield’s past alive and showcasing the present, and entertaining educational programs attracting all ages, the Fairfield Museum has become a vital cultural center for our community. I support planned giving to ensure that the museum continues to enjoy a vibrant future. – Patti

Spaght

Annual Fund Donors Fiscal Year 2022 – 2023

The Fairfield Museum is tremendously grateful to the following donors and members for supporting our many education and community programs. Donors are given the opportunity to provide name formats at the time gifts are made. Donors wishing to be listed differently in future publications may contact the Development Office at (203) 259-1598. List includes gifts made between July 1, 2022 and June 30, 2023.

$25,000 - $50,000

Anonymous

$10,000 - $24,999

Simin Allison

Anonymous

Joyce Hergenhan*

Theron and Andrea Hoffman

Frank X. & Mary E. Weny

Charitable Trust

Bill and Karen Winget*

$5,000 - $9,999

Luann Engelman

Susan Bonner and Larry Erdmann*

Elizabeth and John Fath

Thomas and Dawn Kreitler

Carlton Osburn

Mr. and Mrs. John Tucker

$2,500 - $4,999

James and Christine Cook

Chris and Denise Daley*

Barbara Dempsey

Marc and Michele Flaster

Jill and Rip Littig*

Tom and Alice Mindrum*

Alan and Sylvia Neigher*

Steven and D’vorah Schiffman*

Patti Spaght

Justin and Rosalina Thomas*

Harold and Susan Trischman

$1,000 - $2,499

Jeff Gardner and Nina Andreyev

Anonymous

Michael and Edie Blair*

Ben and Kate Browning*

Peter and Cynthia Burnim

Don and Lisa Callahan

Samuel W. Cargill

Sheila Clancy

Driesman Family

David R. Hermenze*

John Herzog

Robbie Hodgson

Ward and Alexa Horton

Bruce Hubler

Greg and Deborah Keeley*

Marta Jo Lawrence

Niels and Christine Lyng-Olsen*

William and Christine Mallin*

The McCormack Family

Bud Morten

Victor and Deni Nesi

Peter and Lynne Penczer

Stephen Saft

Mrs. John W. Stokes

Paul and Alease Tallman

Michael Jehle and Sarah Wetzel

Laura Wilson and Michael Hawken*

James Winget

$500 - $999

Mark and Mo Abrahamson

James and Wendy Accomando

Linda Aysseh

Michael and Alison Barry

Nancy Bassett

Jane Beiles

Craig Goos and Kerry Berchem

Cynthia Bigelow

Paul and Lynda Bluestein

John and Sharyn Cannon

James and Roberta Conroy

Dan and Jane Corbett

The Crosio Family

The Digital Chameleon, LLC

Deborah and Philip Dwyer

Paul and Stacy Fama

Chris Frantz and Tina Weymouth

Frank and Jean Gallinelli

Edward Gerber

Judith Goldbecker

Dr. Carl and Barbara Gruning

Sharon Lauer and Jerry Joseph

Sylvia G. Leiss

David and Betsy Lincoln

Cynthia Locascio

Leslie Byelas and Ellen Lubell

David MacAllaster

Dr. Elizabeth and Mr. David McKinnis

Edward T. Mohylowski

Daniel and Rebecca Morris

Geoffrey and Susan Mullen

Rick and Hetty Nerod

David and Judy Nessel

Phil and Liz Neugebauer

Ann Jones and Steve Ramsey

Mrs. William B. Seaver

Timothy and Tracy Stuart

Gerald Torres*

William and May Vogel

Tom and Cathy Walsh

John Warburg

Stephanie Weaver

John Robert and Kendra Williamson

Peter Gilbert and Annick Winokur

$250 - $499

Paula Alex

Peter Ambrose

Aqua-Lawn, Inc.

In honor of Peter Bilyard on behalf of the Darwin cousins

Barbara and James Bradley

Pamela Carter

Ann Cathcart

Stephanie Coakley

Harry K. Cohn

Brian Kelahan and Colleen Connor

Richard and Sally Cummings

Paula Derrow

John and Patricia Donovan

Michael and Charlotte Dyslin

Nancy and Robert Englander

Fairfield Garden Club

Timothy and Elizabeth Finn

Amanda McLean and Andrew Gabbett

Martha and Dwight Gesswein

Hugh and Mary Gleason

Guy Gleysteen

John and Marcy Golden

Jaclyn Califra and Robert Gorman

Christian I. & Hilma A. Gravesen

Memorial Fund

J.R and Erin Hermann*

Louisa and Nelson Heumann

Beth and Bill Hollis

Janet L. Hoyt

Susanna and Steve Jalkut

John and Rebecca Jensen

Kasson Jewelers

Fred Knopf

Robert and Bonnie Kreitler

Jack and Judy Kubica

Mr. and Mrs. G. Kinsey Lamb

Pat and Walt Lohotsky

Deborah Ludlow-Eck

Elizabeth Maher

Jay Meizlish

Bruce Mekul

Capt. Patricia Miller, USN (Ret.)

Doug Moore

LouAnn Moore

Michael Moore

Michael and Amy Morgan

Nick and Amanda Morgan

Mr. and Mrs. Devin I. Murphy

David Nicol

Cosbie Marable and Katherine Niznansky

Debra O’Keefe

Joe and Vivian Palsa

Dennis and Kristin Pereira

Gene and Leslie Riccio

Jim and Candy Rice

Riegel Restoration

Peter and Kristin Robinson

Mr. and Mrs. William D. Rueckert

George Russell

Rob and Carolyn Russo

In memory of Marcia Saft

Susan Schaller

Robert Schonbrunn

Maive F. Scully

Ford and Mary-Jo Smith

Richard and Virginia Speciale

Grant Panarese and Christine Spooner

Fred Squeo

Wendy Stone

Ronald Blumenfeld and Selina Strong

David K. Sturges

Bob and Annie Svensk

Bill and Paula Tommins

Judy and Alex Urquhart

Rob and Lindsay Wallace

Melody Waterhouse

Douglas and Deidre Williams

Steven and Gail Wolff

$100 - $249

Gwen and Parker Ackley

Joseph and Laura Amicucci

Stuart and Joyce Anderson

Anonymous

Mr. and Mrs. William Auer

Dorothy Baekey

William and Lois Jean Barker

Maureen Dewan and Stuart C. Belkin

Drummond and Shelly Bell

Mary Jane and Jim Berrien

Jim and Elinor Biggs

Chris Beaver and Lauren Bochicchio

Peter and Bridgett Di Bonaventura

Lisa and Byron Bond

Jonathan and Elaine Bowman

Keith and Nora Bradley

Michael Healy and Eleanor Bradley

Dorothea Brennan

Richard and Nancy Brenner

Douglas Brown and Kathryn Selig Brown

Jim and Lucy Buggy

Mr. and Mrs. Martin Burger

Andy Byrne

Eric and Leonora Campbell

Nyla Carleton

Dr. and Mrs. Steven Cassell

Mel and Paulette Chase

Michelle Cheng

Charles and Ruth Chiusano

Walter and Jeanette Ciciora

Cynthia and John Cody

George and Katie Coleman

Ryan and Val Collison

Karen Costantini

The Collinses of Melody Court

Peter and Elizabeth Courtney

Scott and Lisa Craighead

Sandy and Karen Crape

Bernadette Crowe

Van Cudiner

Minda Daniell

Louise and George Demakis

Matthew Dever

Mia Dillon and Kier Dullea

Richard and Christine Earls

Gamal Eleish

Linda Eliovson

James and Katherine Entwistle

Anne Estelle

Susannah Eykyn

Jerry and Joan Eyster

Laura Fahy

Fairfield Public Library

Lee Fallet

Barbara Fiebich

William Bodine and Victoria Fingelly

Margaret Mary Fitzgerald

Tim and Pam Foarde

C. Stephen and Meg Francis

Ann and Jack Franzen

Harry and Gloria French

Lori Hashizume and Douglas Fried

Harvey Gaberman

Richard and Deborah Gallagher

Rich and Chris Gannon

Gail Goldblat

William Herbert and Susan Graham

Mary Anne Greeley

Janet Habansky

Nancy Haberly

The Hagedus Family

William Harrison

Jonathan and Beth Hayes

Arnold and Adair Heitmann

Robert and Paula Herzlinger

Christopher and Kim Heyn

Joyce and Robert Hobbie

Rick Van Arnam and Laura Hunt

Dave Huntington

Kelly McGovern and Steve Hurst

Betsey and David Ives

David O. and Anne R. Jackson

Russ Jennings

Christopher Jennings

Nancy Jones

Jill Kelly

Mary Keresey

Armen and Dede Keteyian

Andrea Kinucan

Joseph and Roberta Krajci

Peter and Carleen Kunkel

Nancy Larsen

Robert and Marianne Laska

Charlotte Lee

Urban and Patricia Leimkuhler

Martha and Donald Lord

Tulis McCall

Elaine McCorry

Mary McCutcheon

Jeffrey Rosen and Richard Mervis

Joyce and Jim Miller

Heather Mitchell

Jim and Caryl Mitsch

Michele and Dominick Modugno

Peggy Monsarrat

Marian Bradley Morehouse

John M. Lee and Mary Lou Morong

Janet and Peter Mott

Mr. and Mrs. James Muir

Cathy Mulrenan

Arlene Murphy

Ann Myles

Barbara Nash

David Nelson

Nest of Southport

Sandra-Ann Nolfo

Larry and Melissa Norton

Dan Burstein and Julie O’Connor

Elizabeth Oderwald

Christy Ottaviano and Kevin Ohe

Peter and Alex Oldershaw

Jo-Ann Olsen

Deborah and Jeffrey Owens

Donna Woods Orazio and James P. Orazio

Joan and Steven Panagos

Dan and Katharine Pengue

Alan and Sue Peterson

Norma and Donald Peterson

Pitney Bowes

Danielle Pitts

Richard and Anne Pol

Kaitlin Poole

Ellen Powers

David and Judy Pressler

Brad and Jane Purcell

Eric and Stephanie Purzycki

Thomas and Kelly Raskauskas

Joseph and Jeanne Reed

Margaret and Chris Rieck

Larry and Agnes Roberts

In memory of Steven Della Rocca

Joseph and Mimi Rog*

Fiscal Year 2022-2023 Financial Overview

To view our financials visit www.fairfieldhistory.org/support/

Foundations and Corporate Sponsors

The Fairfield Museum is grateful to the following foundations, granting agencies, and businesses for supporting our education and community programs:

Agriventures Agway

Altus Partners, Inc.

Assured Partners

Bank of America

Bankwell

Bigelow Tea

Bloomberg Philanthropies

Brody Wilkinson, PC

Community Development Block Grant

Connecticut Arts Endowment Fund

CT Humanities

David & Eunice Bigelow Foundation, Inc.

Emily Hall Tremaine Foundation

Equine Tack and Nutritionals

Eye Physicians & Surgeons

Fairfield County’s Community Foundation

Fidelity St Johns No 3 AF and AM

Footing First

Hatfield Insurance Agency, Inc.

Junkluggers

Knights Of Columbus Council 2616

Lesko & Polke Funeral Home LLC

M&T Bank

National Endowment for the Humanities

National Park Service

Oaklawn Cemetery and Arboretum

Penguin Random House

Southport Area Association

Sturges Ridge of Fairfield

The Agape Foundation

The Denise Walsh Team

The Ernest C. and Joan Trefz Family Foundation

Get Social with Us!

Keep up with all of the exciting things happening at the Fairfield Museum! Sign up for our weekly e-newsletter at fairfieldhistory.org and follow us on social:

Facebook: @FairfieldMuseum

Instagram: @fairfieldmuseumhistorycenter

YouTube: @FairfieldMuseumandHistoryCenter

LinkedIn: @Fairfield-Museum

Donate with Confidence!

The Rotary Club of Fairfield

Thomas & Jeanne Elmezzi Private Foundation

Town of Fairfield

Willows Pediatric Group, PC

Includes contributions from 7/1/22 through 6/30/2023

Fairfield Museum is consistently awarded top marks by charity watchdogs for its efficient use of donor contributions, including Charity Navigator’s highest 4-star rating and Guidestar’s Platinum distinction. You can be certain that your gift will directly support the community programs that are needed most.