This time capsule from Stratford Library was found in Town Hall with a hand written note on it, reading: time capsule from Library, dug up 9/4/80, Library.
Library Director Sheri Szymanski and Library Board President Maria Ferrera open the time capsule
The box is made of copper sheeting, 17x4x6 inches. We opened the time capsule at our annual Friendraiser, where we thank our donors for their support of the library. A selection of the contents have been scanned below. You can read more about the capsule in the Stratford 400’s Cupheag Crier (PDF).
More pictures of the capsule opening and contents are available here (PDF). More items will be scanned and uploaded to this page.
Click on each photo to see a full-size image.
A newspaper clipping showing the groundbreaking for the Library Annex. The caption reads “Harold C. Lovell, chairman of the Stratford Library board (left) turns the first shovel of earth at the ground-breaking ceremonies yesterday in Stratford for the $100,000 addtion to the library in the read of the present building. Standing by are (left to right) Donald S. Sammis, chairman of the building committee, John Zandonella, general contractor and C. Wellington Walker, AIA, architect. When completed, the one-story Colonial brick building will provide space for 25,000 additional volumes.
A typed memo about the trees around the Library. It is signed by Frances B. Russell and dated March 5, 1952
A letter from the June 17, 1955 Bridgeport Post about the Cornerstone Ceremony. The letter is from Ethelyn Sniffen Hall and written from the perspective of the Cornerstone.
A typed copy of the first page of the Library’s Incorporation Resolution. “Resolution incorporating the Stratford Library Association. General Assembly January Session AD 1895. House Joint Resolution No. 132
A typed copy of the second page of the Library’s Incorporation Resolution “Resolution incorporating the Stratford Library Association. General Assembly January Session AD 1895. House Joint Resolution No. 132
A typed copy of the Library’s bylaws at incorporation
An 8×10 black and white photo of Alice Winifred Lovell and an unnamed student.
An 8×10 black and white photo of Alice Winifred Lovell and an unnamed student. On the back of the photo is handwritten: Following is the data on the librarian shown in this picture. Alice Winifred Lovell Born: July 18, 1884 Parents: Roselle M. Todd and Charles Arthur Lovell Died: March 1, 1955 place: 941 East Broadway, Stratford, Connecticut Married: Herbert William Sniffen March 29, 1910 born: December 26, 1871 Died: January 7, 1925 Children: Herbert William Sniffen Jr. born July 15, 1911 d. july 19, 1911 Ethelyn Lovell Sniffen b. April 3, 1913 married Kenneth E. Hall Sept. 7m 1937 Resident of Somerville, New Jersey 3 children Esther Russell Sniffen b. May 9, 1915 resident of Worcester, Massachusetts Elizabeth Birdseye Sniffen b. june 30, 1917 married Joseph H. Famme Jan. 18, 1936 Resident of La Mesa, California 4 children Arden Lawrence Sniffen b. March 12, 1924 married Frances E. Keddy July 29, 1946 Resident of Spring Valley, California 2 children Married James Wilson June 1, 1950 b. June 3, 1870 Edinburgh, Scotland d. January 28, 1954 Stratford, Connecticut unnamed student symbolizes the thousands of youth and adults she helped with reference work and selection of books through her more than 30 years of service in the Stratford Public (sic) Library, as assistant and then as Acting Head Librarian (after Miss Frances B. Russell became inactive through illness about 1936) until her death March 1, 1955. Prepared for placement in corner stone on June 19, 1955
The first page of a 3.5×5 inch spiral bound notebook listing the members and officers of Stratford Library Association from 1895 to the laying of the cornerstone in the children’s library.
The second page of a 3.5×5 inch spiral bound notebook listing the members and officers of Stratford Library Association from 1895 to the laying of the cornerstone in the children’s library.
Newspaper clipping with the headline “‘Miss Fannie”, 96, to Attend Ceremonies Marking Addition to Stratford Library”
The cover of an undated booklet commemorating the dedication exercises of the Stratford Library on January 16, 1896. (The Library has many copies of this booklet; it appears to have been printed much later than 1896)