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Mattatuck Museum
Known informally as the Mattatuck Museum, the Mattatuck Historical Society was originally founded in 1877 to mark the 200th anniversary of Waterbury. The Society was incorporated in 1902 "to collect and preserve whatever may serve to explain or illustrate the archaeology, the art,
the literature, the history, civil, ecclesiastical or natural of the state of Connecticut, and especially that part thereof
which was anciently known as Mattatuck...."
The Mattatuck Historical Society's first meetings were held in various homes, offices and public rooms. The collections were stored in
the attic of the Silas Bronson Library. Primary among these was the extensive historical library of Dr. Joseph
Anderson, acquired in 1904 thanks to a gift of $10,000 by Elisha Leavenworth. In 1911 Mr. Leavenworth's will provided money for the Society to purchase the property at 119 West Main Street, the former home of Frank J. Luddington, an owner of a cigarette machine company. This Italianate Revival brick and sandstone structure had been built in 1866 by Greene Kendrick, one of the early Waterbury mayors (1882-1883). This is also the site where John Carrington, one of the first settlers in this area, had his home. The Greene Kendrick house was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1980.
The Mattatuck Museum moved to its current location in 1987. If you're interested in the history of Waterbury, you'll want to visit the Mattatuck Museum.
If you would like more information about the Mattatuck Museum (formally the Mattatuck Historical Society), visit their official web site at: http://mattatuckmuseum.org
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