8/18/2023 - History Talk: Memories of Southbury Playhouse The historic Southbury Playhouse was a stock theater company located in the current Playhouse Square in Southbury. Join us to explore the history of Southbury Playhouse. Come listen to the history, and bring your own stories and memories of the Southbury Playhouse. The Southbury Playhouse was originally a sturdy barn on the Hicock's property as early as 1770. It was built with chestnut beams and wooden pegs, and enlarge throughout the years. The barn was used for many purposes, including a tobacco barn and later for cattle auctions. In 1947, Jack Quinn leased the building from the St. Pierre family for the purpose of converting it to a playhouse. Quinn ran the playhouse for five years. Eventually, W. Thomas Littleton took over the playhouse and successfully kept it going for 20 years. He produced 500 plays before the barn was condemned and had to close in 1985. Even though the developer who purchased the property tried to same the barn, he was not able to get the required permits. The Southbury Playhouse was demolished on March 1, 1989. Melinda K. Elliott grew up with a keen interested in history. She is always researching some historical topic and loves delving into the stories of long-forgotten people. Melinda enjoys sharing her latest finds through writing blog posts, articles, brochures, and books. She has had speaking engagements throughout of the state and on various zoom webinars streamed around the world. Melinda is the president of the Southbury Historical Society, and director of The Bullet Hill School – A Living Museum program. Her published books include Connecticut Schoolhouses Through Time, Southbury Through Time: Remnants of Our Past, and No Swastikas in Southbury. Melinda and her husband, Ray, enjoy road trips and are always on the lookout for one-room schoolhouses, covered bridges, old mills, and historic villages. They have three children, all living nearby, and eight grandchildren to spoil. Like all Southbury Public Library programs, this event is free to attend and open to anyone regardless of town of residency. Registration is required. History Talks is a program in corporation with the Southbury Public Library, Southbury Historical Society, and the 350th Anniversary Committee. ### Event: Memories of Southbury Playhouse Event Date: 8/18/2023 Event Time: 1:00pm - 2:30pm Admission Fee: Free Registration Instructions: www.southburylibrary.org/event/memories-southbury-playhouse Event Organizers/Contact: Southbury Public Library | 203-262-0626 ext. 130 | 350th Anniversary Steering Committee | www.southbury-ct.org/350 Event Location: Southbury Public Library, 100 Poverty Road, Southbury, CT 06488 The Town of Southbury is holding events and activities all year long to celebrate 350 years of community, culture and history (1673-2023), aimed at highlighting the past and progress of the one and only Southbury. The 350th Anniversary Steering Committee consists of John Dwyer and Kevin Bielmeier (co-chairs), Brian Jones (vice-chair), Justin Bette, Lynn Dwyer, Melinda Elliott, Michael Ganem, Kara Kenney, Mary Korsu, and Gosia Liedlich. Archives
The historic Southbury Playhouse was a stock theater company located in the current Playhouse Square in Southbury. Join us to explore the history of Southbury Playhouse. Come listen to the history, and bring your own stories and memories of the Southbury Playhouse.
The Southbury Playhouse was originally a sturdy barn on the Hicock's property as early as 1770. It was built with chestnut beams and wooden pegs, and enlarge throughout the years. The barn was used for many purposes, including a tobacco barn and later for cattle auctions. In 1947, Jack Quinn leased the building from the St. Pierre family for the purpose of converting it to a playhouse. Quinn ran the playhouse for five years. Eventually, W. Thomas Littleton took over the playhouse and successfully kept it going for 20 years. He produced 500 plays before the barn was condemned and had to close in 1985. Even though the developer who purchased the property tried to same the barn, he was not able to get the required permits. The Southbury Playhouse was demolished on March 1, 1989.
Melinda K. Elliott grew up with a keen interested in history. She is always researching some historical topic and loves delving into the stories of long-forgotten people. Melinda enjoys sharing her latest finds through writing blog posts, articles, brochures, and books. She has had speaking engagements throughout of the state and on various zoom webinars streamed around the world. Melinda is the president of the Southbury Historical Society, and director of The Bullet Hill School – A Living Museum program. Her published books include Connecticut Schoolhouses Through Time, Southbury Through Time: Remnants of Our Past, and No Swastikas in Southbury. Melinda and her husband, Ray, enjoy road trips and are always on the lookout for one-room schoolhouses, covered bridges, old mills, and historic villages. They have three children, all living nearby, and eight grandchildren to spoil.
Like all Southbury Public Library programs, this event is free to attend and open to anyone regardless of town of residency. Registration is required.
History Talks is a program in corporation with the Southbury Public Library, Southbury Historical Society, and the 350th Anniversary Committee.
###
Event: Memories of Southbury Playhouse Event Date: 8/18/2023 Event Time: 1:00pm - 2:30pm Admission Fee: Free Registration Instructions: www.southburylibrary.org/event/memories-southbury-playhouse Event Organizers/Contact: Southbury Public Library | 203-262-0626 ext. 130 | 350th Anniversary Steering Committee | www.southbury-ct.org/350 Event Location: Southbury Public Library, 100 Poverty Road, Southbury, CT 06488
The Town of Southbury is holding events and activities all year long to celebrate 350 years of community, culture and history (1673-2023), aimed at highlighting the past and progress of the one and only Southbury.
The 350th Anniversary Steering Committee consists of John Dwyer and Kevin Bielmeier (co-chairs), Brian Jones (vice-chair), Justin Bette, Lynn Dwyer, Melinda Elliott, Michael Ganem, Kara Kenney, Mary Korsu, and Gosia Liedlich.