October 30, 2026, was Shadrach Day in Southbury! Shadrach Osborn, a merchant and Revolutionary War veteran, became Southbury’s first First Selectman. When the Southbury America 250th Commission was formed, it made restoring his broken and neglected gravestone a priority. Thanks to the efforts of Paul King, a historic gravestone restorer in Woodbury, the headstone has now been repaired. The unveiling ceremony at White Oak Cemetery was attended by commission members, Southbury First Selectman Tim O’Neil, Selectwoman Cathy De Carli, former Selectman Ken Korsu, Southbury America 250th Commission volunteer Joe Ruggiero, and Pastor Karen Maleri of the Church of the Epiphany.
Afterward, the commission hosted a Revolutionary War-era local history trivia night at The Tavern (formerly Shadrach’s) at the Heritage Hotel. The evening featured “Revolutionary” drink specials, a complimentary bourbon tasting by the artisans at Litchfield Distillery, and plenty of local history! Congratulations to the trivia contest winner Dave Liedlich, and Southbury Selectwoman Cathy De Carli and her teammate, Joe Ruggiero, on taking second place.
Members of the Southbury America 250th Commission: Mary Korsu, John Dwyer, Lynn Dwyer, Melinda Elliott, Shanna Bertram, Nathan Bennett, and Andrew Anglace.