tel: 860-963-6800
of Putnam Inc.
The Boxcar museum will open for the season beginning May 6. The museum will be open on Saturdays and Sundays from 11am-4pm. Located off South Main Street near Union Square, the museum is dedicated to the life and work of Gertrude Chandler Warner, best known as the author of The Boxcar Children books.
Thanks to Tom Borner and the Putnam area Foundation for their grant that paid for the cooling/heating unit in the Boxcar Museum.
Left to right: Jeannie Benoit, Sandra Ames, John Miller, Pat Hedenberg, Bill Pearsall, Tom Borner, Terri Pearsall, Dick Loomis.
The Aspinock Historical Society of Putnam is thrilled to announce the launch of a momentous Capitol Campaign Fundraiser, aimed at securing the society's future and enhancing its vital role in preserving and promoting Putnam's rich history.
The Aspinock Historical Society, founded in 1972, has been instrumental in safeguarding the town's historical heritage. With countless artifacts, documents, and stories, the society strives to educate the community and visitors about Putnam's unique past.
The Capitol Campaign Fundraiser is a landmark initiative designed to bolster the society's financial foundation, ensuring its continued operation and expansion. The funds raised will be allocated to critical projects, including renovating and restoring the society's historic documents, digitizing their extensive archives, and developing interactive educational programs for local schools and residents.
"We are committed to preserving the history of Putnam for future generations," said John Miller, President of the Aspinock Historical Society. "This campaign is an opportunity for everyone who values our town's heritage to contribute to the legacy of Putnam."
The Aspinock Historical Society invites all community members, history enthusiasts, and businesses to be part of this exciting endeavor. Your support will play an integral role in preserving and sharing the history of Putnam, ensuring it remains a vibrant and enriching resource for years to come.
For more information on the Capitol Campaign Fundraiser or to donate, please contact historicalsocietyaspinock@gmail.com.
Aspinock Historical Society of Putnam Launches Capitol Campaign Fundraiser
As the social media director for the Aspinock Historical Society of Putnam, I receive many fascinating inquiries through our Facebook and Instagram pages. Recently, Putnam resident Hans Lowell shared a vintage newsreel titled "Wheels Across India" that revealed a captivating piece of history about Putnam residents Armand Denis and Leila Roosevelt. Their story is a blend of global adventure, filmmaking, and a distant connection to one of America’s most famous families. With Presidents’ Day approaching, diving into this remarkable tale seems fitting. Read More
A Putnam Roosevelt
Let’s Salute Old Glory Today: by Mike Bogdanski
Old Glory
America recently celebrated Flag Day, commemorating the First Flag Resolution, proclaiming Stars and Stripes the symbol of our emerging republic.
Here is a review of the colors and their meaning:
1. Red (valor, hardiness, sacrifice).
2. White (purity, innocence).
3. Blue (perseverance, vigilance, justice).
Stars and Stripes:
1 Stars (representation of states, heavenly bodies).
2. Stripes (original 13 colonies).
As we added states to the country, the U.S. flag added Stars and Stripes. The 1818 Flag Act returned to 13 stripes, adding a star for each new state.
Flag Symbolism:
1. Freedom and Liberty.
2. Democracy and Unity.
3. Hope and Aspiration.
4. Resilience and Endurance.
After 9/11, I recall seeing many households displaying our beloved flag as a show of unity during this tough time. As we get ready to celebrate Independence Day, I take note of how many places I see as the symbol of our freedom: schools, municipal buildings, parades, and businesses. As I reviewed the history of our flag and flag day, I decided to dive into the fascinating origin story of "Old Glory," focusing specifically on how that well-known nickname came to be rather than just the flag's initial creation. This article can provide some rich historical detail.
The nickname "Old Glory" is unique among national symbols because it didn't come from a government decree or a national contest. It was born out of the deep personal affection of one man for his cherished flag and his unwavering patriotism, helping popularize the name across the nation.
It begins with Captain William Driver and his significant birthday present. On the day he turned twenty-one, Captain William Driver of Salem, Massachusetts, received a magnificent, hand-sewn American flag from his mother and a group of local young women. This flag was significant for its time, featuring 24 stars (representing the 24 states then in the Union) and 13 stripes.
As Captain Driver prepared to set sail on his square-rigged brig, the Charles Doggett, he unfurled his new flag. As it billowed in the ocean breeze for the first time, he was so moved by its beauty and symbolism that he spontaneously declared, "I name her 'Old Glory'! And that became his lifelong and deeply personal nickname for that specific flag.
Captain Driver carried "Old Glory" with him on numerous voyages across the globe, including significant expeditions to the South Pacific. The flag served as his "staunch companion and protection," a familiar sight to him even in distant lands, reinforcing his Mother’s gift and his deep connection to it. Captain Driver reportedly unfurled "Old Glory" and displayed it prominently during a mutiny attempt from a disgruntled crew. He then rallied his loyal crew members and, by invoking the flag and all it symbolized – law, order, country, and his authority as the ship's captain representing the United States – he quelled the uprising and rebellion.
After years at sea, Captain Driver retired in 1837 and settled in Nashville, Tennessee, where he took "Old Glory" with him. He continued proudly displaying this well-traveled flag from his home, often strung across the street, and it became a familiar sight to his neighbors.
About twenty years after his retirement, the country experienced the tragic fracture of the Civil War, and Tennessee seceded from the Union. "Old Glory" became a potent symbol of Union loyalty in a deeply divided state. Confederate sympathizers repeatedly demanded that Driver take down his flag and even attempted to seize it.
Defiant, Captain Driver, a staunch Unionist, steadfastly refused. He famously protected "Old Glory" by sewing it into a comforter, hiding it from Confederate discovery. This ingenious (but not so sneaky) concealment became a part of the “Old Glory” legend.
In 1862, the flag re-emerged. When Union forces, led by General William "Bull" Nelson, captured Nashville in February 1862, Captain Driver, who was 60 years old, triumphantly revealed his hidden treasure. Driver personally carried "Old Glory" to the Tennessee State Capitol building and, with a crowd of cheering Union troops, he hoisted it high over the city, replacing the Confederate flag. It began a proud journey by Tennessee in our country's reunification.
How did we get to know this nickname, you ask? This dramatic and defiant act of patriotism, widely reported in Union newspapers, brought Captain Driver's nickname, "Old Glory," to national prominence. The story of his unwavering loyalty and his hidden flag resonated deeply, turning his affectionate term into a cherished moniker for the American flag itself.
Want to visit this living piece of history this summer? This legacy, Captain Driver's original "Old Glory" flag, which he named and famously protected, is now a treasured artifact. Before his death, he bequeathed it to his daughter. It is currently preserved and displayed at the Smithsonian Institution's National Museum of American History in Washington, D.C. “Old Glory” still serves as a historical link to this unique origin story and is a testament to the power of personal connection to a national symbol and how one man's devotion helped forge a beloved nickname for the flag that continues to evoke patriotism and pride.
The American flag is a powerful symbol of our nation's history, ideals, and sacrifices for freedom, particularly poignant on Independence Day when we declared our freedom as our own country. As an amateur historian, this research made me think more about the past and especially the future of our town, state, and country. While celebrating this year, I encourage you to think about our flag and “Independence Day” more than the beautiful fireworks we all love.
Also, Do one better. Look up the evolution of the American flag. You might be as surprised as I was.
