This new publication from Highbury Press will launch with a Fall 2024 issue focused around this landmark anniversary of the founding of the city, when settlers established the Mattatuck plantation in 1674. What better time to launch a magazine dedicated to the history of the City of Waterbury than in this 350th anniversary year of its founding!
Planned as a quarterly magazine with a number of themed categories to feature in each issue, Waterbury History magazine will highlight the people, places and events that have gained fame in the city over the years.
Waterbury History magazine is the brainchild of Michael Griffin, an author and copy editor who is a lifelong city resident. His books – “The Great Breathing Place Of The City: A History of Hamilton Park in Waterbury” and “Hoop History: Fifty years of high school boys basketball in Waterbury” – involved years of research and have received glowing reviews (in newspaper articles shown on these pages), and he has spoken at numerous events in the city on his book-related topics.
“My aim with the books was to not only provide readers a way to reminisce about memorable places and events, but also to serve as a written record and inform younger generations about these prominent places and achievements that risk being forgotten as time goes by,” says Griffin, who will serve as editor of the new magazine. He and others will contribute articles for the publication that will pursue a mission similar to the dual purposes of Griffin’s books – highlighting the glorious past of a municipality once considered among the top cities in New England and renowned for its industry, culture, entertainment, and educational and recreational systems.
Sneak Peek At First Issue:
With Waterbury celebrating its 350th birthday this year, the beginnings of the municipality way back in the 1670s – along with a pair of anniversary celebrations in 1924 and 1974 – provide the overriding theme to the premiere issue of Waterbury History. The endeavors of hardy pioneers to begin a new settlement in the 1670s are recounted in an article (based on old historical texts of the city), while massive celebrations from 100 years ago and 50 years ago are also detailed in the issue. The week-long extravaganza in 1924 culminated with a parade and pageant in what organizers called “the greatest day in all the history of Waterbury” (beginning of that article is shown below), and the Tercentennial gala in 1974 featured a series of themed events and the largest parade in city history.
Other regular features you will find in this publication include an “Industry and Innovation” category. The initial issue highlights the history of Waterbury Brass Co. (part of article shown below), which was eventually overshadowed by the city’s “Big Three” manufacturers but at one time was the largest brass mill in the country.
The former downtown home of Crosby High represents the first subject in our “City School and Churches” category, which will also be a regular feature of this magazine. As half a century has passed since the closing of the “Old Ivy” site in 1974, this offers a timely opportunity to recount some of the history of the city’s first high school – whose name was changed from Waterbury High to Crosby High when that building was opened in 1897 (article below).
Each issue will also highlight a member of Silas Bronson Library’s “Waterbury Hall of Fame,” with the inaugural edition featuring David Hoadley, the city native who became one of the nation’s foremost architects in the early 1800s.
And in the “Sports and Recreation” category, this premiere edition looks back at the first CIAC basketball title won by a city high school when Wilby captured a state crown with a buzzer-beating basket in 1923.
Here are a few pages from what will become the premiere issue:
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Topics For Future Issues: To see a list of topics and subjects of articles in future issues of Waterbury History magazine, click here.
Interested In Advertising? If you would like to boost your business or organization – or show your community spirit by commemorating Waterbury’s 350th anniversary – with an advertisement in Waterbury History magazine, click here.
Subscribe to Waterbury History: If you would like to purchase an annual subscription to the quarterly magazine dedicated to the storied past of the Brass City, or buy a single issue, click here.
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