History of the Sherman Historical Society
Now in existence for over 40 years, the Sherman Historical Society continues to strive to be an active part of the Sherman town community. Our goal is to expand on our existing programs and to continue to add new and exciting events to our schedule each year.
Behind the scenes, our mission also includes collecting, preserving, and most importantly, making available to you and to future generations the historic artifacts relating to Sherman and the life stories of its residents. Our collections range from pre-Colonial Native American artifacts to those belonging to 20th Century Sherman.
The Sherman Historical Society operates without any financial support from Town Government. In order to meet our goals and provide services in our community we rely on the generosity of members and donors alike for support.
Now in existence for over 40 years, the Sherman Historical Society continues to strive to be an active part of the Sherman town community. Our goal is to expand on our existing programs and to continue to add new and exciting events to our schedule each year.
Behind the scenes, our mission also includes collecting, preserving, and most importantly, making available to you and to future generations the historic artifacts relating to Sherman and the life stories of its residents. Our collections range from pre-Colonial Native American artifacts to those belonging to 20th Century Sherman.
The Sherman Historical Society operates without any financial support from Town Government. In order to meet our goals and provide services in our community we rely on the generosity of members and donors alike for support.
THE 2022-2023 SHS Board of Directors
Officers:
Elizabeth Mard Haney - President; Allyson McFerren-Mard - Vice President; Lori Finck - Secretary; Susan Lang - Treasurer
Directors:
Lisa Cilio, Jan Desiato, Ginny Zellner, Lisa Keller, Renée Collins, Lucy Seda, and HelenAnne Ostrosky
Honorary Directors:
Betty Beatty, John Jenner, Phyllis McGoldrick, Gloria Thorne, Sue Moga
Officers:
Elizabeth Mard Haney - President; Allyson McFerren-Mard - Vice President; Lori Finck - Secretary; Susan Lang - Treasurer
Directors:
Lisa Cilio, Jan Desiato, Ginny Zellner, Lisa Keller, Renée Collins, Lucy Seda, and HelenAnne Ostrosky
Honorary Directors:
Betty Beatty, John Jenner, Phyllis McGoldrick, Gloria Thorne, Sue Moga
From Left to Right: Susan Lang, Lori Finck, Sue Moga, and Liz Mard
The Society welcomed three new Board members at their annual meeting in September. They are new to our management but not new to the Society or Sherman. We welcome their time, talents and ideas as we move into 2024! They are:
Renee Collins (left): For the past four decades, I've called Sherman my home. Currently, my time is dedicated to volunteering at The Sherman Old Store, where the heart of this town beats. I've had the privilege of raising two children right here in town, imparting the values and warmth of this close-knit community. With over 35 years of experience, I've proudly served as a Realtor in the Sherman area helping families find their dream homes and invest in the beauty of this town.
Lucy Seda (middle): Originally from lower Westchester County, Lucy and her husband raised their two (now teenage) kids in Riverdale, NY. They have been taking delight in Sherman since 2018. Lucy works in the healthcare field. She believes, however, her best work has taken place through volunteerism. Her interests encompass archaeology, folk art, world cultures, and history. She finds pleasure in listening to music, exploring nature, antique shops and old houses.
Helen Anne Ostrosk (right): Helen Anne Ostrosky has lived in Sherman CT since 1999. After leaving a career in Pharmaceutical Regulatory Affairs, she became a yoga instructor and eventually a mom to four children. Many years ago, with the encouragement from Gloria Thorne, Helen Anne began volunteering at SHS with the Membership committee and with the Kids at Cobbler Shop programs. Eventually, she teamed up with Sue Moga and Amy Bocompani to start the Hooked on History children’s programs that took place in the summer and throughout the school year.
Over the years, Helen Anne has held several part time positions as well as trained a therapy dog named Gus who has spent time visiting with the elderly as well as with students at several local school districts. She currently works as an Assistant Preschool Teacher at Christ Church Preschool in Pawling NY.
Helen Anne is excited to join the SHS board and looks forward to collaborating with all of the current and past board members and volunteers!
Renee Collins (left): For the past four decades, I've called Sherman my home. Currently, my time is dedicated to volunteering at The Sherman Old Store, where the heart of this town beats. I've had the privilege of raising two children right here in town, imparting the values and warmth of this close-knit community. With over 35 years of experience, I've proudly served as a Realtor in the Sherman area helping families find their dream homes and invest in the beauty of this town.
Lucy Seda (middle): Originally from lower Westchester County, Lucy and her husband raised their two (now teenage) kids in Riverdale, NY. They have been taking delight in Sherman since 2018. Lucy works in the healthcare field. She believes, however, her best work has taken place through volunteerism. Her interests encompass archaeology, folk art, world cultures, and history. She finds pleasure in listening to music, exploring nature, antique shops and old houses.
Helen Anne Ostrosk (right): Helen Anne Ostrosky has lived in Sherman CT since 1999. After leaving a career in Pharmaceutical Regulatory Affairs, she became a yoga instructor and eventually a mom to four children. Many years ago, with the encouragement from Gloria Thorne, Helen Anne began volunteering at SHS with the Membership committee and with the Kids at Cobbler Shop programs. Eventually, she teamed up with Sue Moga and Amy Bocompani to start the Hooked on History children’s programs that took place in the summer and throughout the school year.
Over the years, Helen Anne has held several part time positions as well as trained a therapy dog named Gus who has spent time visiting with the elderly as well as with students at several local school districts. She currently works as an Assistant Preschool Teacher at Christ Church Preschool in Pawling NY.
Helen Anne is excited to join the SHS board and looks forward to collaborating with all of the current and past board members and volunteers!
Please click the image above to start the video tour of the Roger Sherman Center.
The Roger Sherman Learning Center (RSLC)
The RSLC contains a time line display that is the centerpiece to this exhibit. Accompanying the time line is a downloadable video file (click the photo to start) that will add a wealth of detail about Roger Sherman's life, his family, the places where he lived, a sampling of documents and artifacts related to his life and the contributions he made to the founding of our Nation.
The RSLC is open by appointment only or during special events.
Please contact us if you would like to come for a visit.
The RSLC contains a time line display that is the centerpiece to this exhibit. Accompanying the time line is a downloadable video file (click the photo to start) that will add a wealth of detail about Roger Sherman's life, his family, the places where he lived, a sampling of documents and artifacts related to his life and the contributions he made to the founding of our Nation.
The RSLC is open by appointment only or during special events.
Please contact us if you would like to come for a visit.
The Northrop House Museum
This federal house was named for the Northrop family, prominent Sherman residents for several generations, who lived here for many years and owned the property for a generation after. Most notable were: David, who became Sherman's first town clerk in 1802, his son, David Jr., who built this house and served as representative in the State Legislature in 1835, and grandson, David Ward Northrop, an attorney who, after his early life in Sherman, was later Secretary of State and served both as Mayor, 1884-85, and then Postmaster, 1886-90, of Middletown, CT where he had later settled.
The house was built in 1829 by David Jr. after selling his mercantile business across the road and occupied for 2 generations. On the 1867 map, the house is labeled 'D. Northrop Saloon.' It appears to have been a stop on the road for travelers, clients, and drovers taking their cattle to market. The Northrop's were involved in the community and probably held a 'public" house where one could find a bed, food and drink. The second floor ballroom may have been a general meeting place for the new and growing government, long before the Town Hall was built next door. The property was once a working farm and still includes the cow barn, used at one time to dry tobacco, and a lovely pasture across the brook which now includes a scenic walking trail.
This house was donated to the society by a generous benefactor in 1981 and is furnished with local furnishings mostly from the Mallory collection.
The house is open seasonally May to October by research and tours are by appointment only.
Please feel free to call the office for an appointment at 860-354-3083 or email us.
This federal house was named for the Northrop family, prominent Sherman residents for several generations, who lived here for many years and owned the property for a generation after. Most notable were: David, who became Sherman's first town clerk in 1802, his son, David Jr., who built this house and served as representative in the State Legislature in 1835, and grandson, David Ward Northrop, an attorney who, after his early life in Sherman, was later Secretary of State and served both as Mayor, 1884-85, and then Postmaster, 1886-90, of Middletown, CT where he had later settled.
The house was built in 1829 by David Jr. after selling his mercantile business across the road and occupied for 2 generations. On the 1867 map, the house is labeled 'D. Northrop Saloon.' It appears to have been a stop on the road for travelers, clients, and drovers taking their cattle to market. The Northrop's were involved in the community and probably held a 'public" house where one could find a bed, food and drink. The second floor ballroom may have been a general meeting place for the new and growing government, long before the Town Hall was built next door. The property was once a working farm and still includes the cow barn, used at one time to dry tobacco, and a lovely pasture across the brook which now includes a scenic walking trail.
This house was donated to the society by a generous benefactor in 1981 and is furnished with local furnishings mostly from the Mallory collection.
The house is open seasonally May to October by research and tours are by appointment only.
Please feel free to call the office for an appointment at 860-354-3083 or email us.