Volunteer

We are excited to welcome new volunteers who want to help preserve, share, and celebrate Naugatuck’s history. Our volunteer team is led by Director Brittany LeVasseur, who has been part of the Historical Society for over a year and brings a dedicated background in research, community engagement, and organization.

To help new volunteers get started smoothly, we have created an interest form that allows you to share your skills, availability, and goals. This helps us match you with projects that fit your interests and the museum’s current needs.

Volunteer Form

Our team is active at the museum on Saturdays, with additional availability during the week available by email and Zoom. Once you complete the form, you will have the option to schedule a one-on-one meeting, either in person or virtually, to discuss what you hope to contribute and learn.

Current areas where volunteers can get involved

Research projects
America 250 preparation
Peter Paul Candy Works
Keds Factory
Iron Works
Risden
Goodyear
Uniroyal Chemical
Inventors and founders
Notable individuals and public servants
Translating and digitizing media
Local sports history
Medicine
Military and wartime history
Native artifacts
Textiles and clothing
Rubber industry
Local clubs and organizations
Farming to industrialization
Route 66 connections
Thomas Porter Inn
Local transportation
Government
Religion
Immigration

Development and museum support
Marketing materials and creative projects
Word searches and crosswords for visitors
Cataloging paper archives
Cataloging digital materials
Event support
Fundraising
Greeters and docent roles
Long -erm archival organization and digitization

We would be glad to have you join us. If you have any questions or would like to discuss specific research or project ideas, please don't hesitate to reach out at any time: nhsgetinvolved@gmail.com

The Naugatuck Historical Society continues to grow, and your interests and talents can make a meaningful difference.

Some of the Faces Behind the Museum

  • Collections & Exhibits Volunteer

    Andrew has been involved with the Naugatuck Historical Society in some capacity since childhood. His first experience with local history was at six or seven years old, when he helped raise money to restore the fountain on the Green. Loving the summer concerts and wanting to see the fountain preserved, he took it upon himself to collect donations during intermissions—sometimes even playfully persuading concertgoers by entertaining their children until they contributed. His early efforts even landed him in the newspaper when an article was published about the restoration.

    More recently, Andrew helped his grandfather assemble the rubber factory model exhibit in the summer of 2023, which led to his continued involvement behind the scenes at the museum. As a volunteer, he takes on a wide range of tasks but primarily focuses on managing and updating the museum’s online database, planning exhibits, sending promotional emails, and assisting visitors. He is an active member of the Collections and Exhibits Committees and is currently working on a complete inventory of the museum’s collection, ensuring records are accurate and up to date.

    Andrew enjoys interacting with museum guests, many of whom share personal stories that help fill in historical gaps. While he doesn’t have formal training in history or preservation, he has spent time traveling to national parks and learning about conservation through ranger-guided experiences. Outside of the museum, he volunteers with the Ecumenical Food Bank’s Thanksgiving meal boxes and has supported the Naugatuck High School Marching Band for the past three years.

    A lifelong Naugatuck resident, Andrew has a distant family connection to Charles Goodyear, sharing an ancestor with his grandmother. One of his more unique experiences was competing in an official capacity on an NFL field—not in football, but in high school marching band championships at MetLife Stadium, home of the New York Giants and Jets.

  • Membership Coordinator Volunteer

    Annette joined the Naugatuck Historical Society as a volunteer in the fall of 2024, bringing her passion for community involvement and a wealth of organizational experience. As the Membership Coordinator, Annette plays a key role in engaging with members, sending renewal letters, and working alongside Theresa to develop corporate memberships. She also serves on the Finance Committee, contributing to the society’s financial planning efforts.

    Currently, Annette is expanding her skill set by learning programs such as PastPerfect and MailChimp, finding new ways to support the Historical Society wherever she can. Before retiring in August, she spent 30 years as an Office Manager at Cadi Company in the Industrial Park, where she also handled HR and accounts receivable.

    Beyond the Historical Society, Annette is deeply involved in the local community. She is a member and officer of the Naugatuck Emblem Club, has volunteered for years at Hop Brook Elementary School, and is currently enrolled in the Howard Whittemore Memorial Library’s America Reads program.

    A lifelong Naugatuck resident, Annette has strong ties to the town’s history. She still lives in the home her father built in 1957, on a quiet dead-end street where both her sister and brother later built homes as well. Her family has shared generations of memories in Naugatuck, attending many of the same schools and growing up within a close-knit neighborhood.

    An interesting fact about Annette—she dedicated ten years to volunteering with the Naugatuck Ambulance Corps in its early days, exemplifying her lifelong commitment to helping others.

  • Collections & Exhibits Volunteer

    Brittany began volunteering with the Naugatuck Historical Society in July 2024, bringing with her a strong academic background in history and a passion for preserving the stories of the past. As a dedicated Collections & Exhibits Volunteer, Brittany supports a variety of efforts across collections management, exhibit development, and event planning. She also serves on the Collections, Exhibits, and Events Committees.

    Currently, Brittany is focused on researching and learning more about Naugatuck’s history and the people who shaped the community. She finds fulfillment in discovering local stories and helping to preserve artifacts that bring those stories to life.

    Brittany holds a Bachelor’s degree in History and has a particular interest in archival work. Her curiosity and enthusiasm make her a valuable part of the team, and she is always eager to expand her knowledge and lend a helping hand wherever needed.

    Though not originally from Naugatuck, Brittany has quickly developed a meaningful connection to the town through her volunteer work at the museum.

    An interesting fact about Brittany—she has an identical twin sister!

  • Museum Store Coordinator & Committee Member Volunteer

    I began volunteering with the Naugatuck Historical Society in December 2022. After retiring, I wanted to give back to the community, so my husband and I attended a Volunteer Meeting—and before we knew it, we were hooked! We’ve loved every moment of being involved and have met so many wonderful people along the way.

    I serve on the Finance Committee, the Program and Events Committee, and the Sanitary Engineer Committee, and I am also the Museum Store Coordinator.

    My family and I have lived in Naugatuck for over 30 years. Before retiring, I had a long career in education, teaching various grade levels, though I spent my last years as a 5th-grade teacher—my favorite! I even taught a class on machines that are rarely used anymore, bringing a unique perspective on how technology has evolved over time.

    Volunteering at the museum has been a rewarding way to stay engaged, contribute to preserving local history, and continue sharing knowledge with the community.

  • Sanitation Committee Volunteer

    Cindy joined the Naugatuck Historical Society as a volunteer in January 2025, shortly after retiring. A longtime admirer of the Tuttle House, she had attended several Historical Society fundraisers before deciding to offer her time in whatever way it was needed.

    Currently, Cindy is a dedicated member of the Sanitation Committee, where she helps keep the museum clean and welcoming. Her favorite part of volunteering happens every Friday morning, working alongside Leslie—the “Queen of Clean”—and Henry, the “Mop Master.”

    Although she doesn’t have a background in historical preservation, Cindy brings a wealth of experience from her career as a paralegal and Office Manager at Morrissey, Morrissey, and Rydzik, LLC. She is also a proud graduate of both Post University and the University of Connecticut.

    Cindy’s ties to Naugatuck run deep, going back three generations. Her grandfather, Sidney Baylis, once served as the Borough’s Tax Collector, and she grew up attending Western School, St. Francis Grammar School, and Naugatuck High School.

    While Cindy insists she’s “one of the most boring people you could meet,” her dedication to preserving Naugatuck’s history—one mop stroke at a time—proves otherwise.

  • Docent Volunteer

    Marlene began volunteering as a docent with the Naugatuck Historical Society in December 2022, shortly after the museum opened at the Tuttle House. Having worked in the Tuttle building for 28 years as the Special Education Secretary before retiring in 2011, she felt naturally drawn back to the place she once called a second home.

    Her return was also sparked by curiosity—wondering if Mary Tuttle’s spirit remained after the fire. What she didn’t expect was the depth of paranormal activity she would soon experience within the historic home.

    Though not currently on any committees, Marlene brings a wealth of local knowledge and lived experience to her volunteer work. Born and raised in Naugatuck, she enjoys engaging with museum guests and sharing insights about the town’s rich history and the Tuttle building itself. Her personal connections to Naugatuck run deep—her father worked at Risdon Manufacturing as a tool grinder, where she herself also worked in the data processing and payroll departments. Her mother worked at Foramatic, which later became Sylvania and GTE. All four of her grandparents immigrated from Poland and settled in Naugatuck, planting family roots that continue to grow.

    In addition to her dedication at the museum, Marlene has volunteered with the Ecumenical Food Bank for over 14 years and serves as a representative for St. Francis Church. She also handles the shopping and food ordering for the 275 Thanksgiving baskets distributed each year to families experiencing food insecurity.

    Whether she’s sharing ghost stories, local history, or a warm welcome, Marlene is a treasured part of the museum community.

  • Media & Public Engagement Coordinator

    Taylor didn’t expect to become so immersed in Naugatuck’s history. When she first spotted a volunteer flyer in the What’s Happening in Naugatuck Facebook group in July 2024, she wasn’t looking for a deep dive into the past—she was simply looking for something of her own. As a mom of two young boys, she was seeking a meaningful outlet where she could use her background in communication and media to reconnect with herself and her community. The social media role with the Historical Society seemed like the right fit.

    That one small step quickly turned into something much bigger. Taylor soon found herself helping with website redevelopment, research, marketing, and even fundraising. She jumped in wherever needed—designing items for the museum store (shirts, blankets, handmade coasters), sourcing local artists like Peace Love & Crochet to create crocheted greyhounds, and using her Part 107 Remote Pilot License to capture drone imagery for the Architectural Walking Tour.

    Event promotion and public outreach have become her sweet spot. As part of the Events Committee, she brings her nonprofit experience—where she helped raise over $3 million—to develop promotional materials, signage, and fundraising campaigns. One of her most memorable moments was co-organizing the Victorian Christmas event in December 2024, where she helped bring the museum to life through kid-friendly scavenger hunts, curated displays, and immersive holiday cheer.

    But the most rewarding part? Knowing that the time and care she’s putting into transcribing, organizing, and sharing materials online is making local history accessible to people near and far. Many who grew up in Naugatuck have since moved away, and not everyone can visit the museum in person. As someone who conducts research herself, Taylor understands how frustrating it can be to hit wall after wall when looking for information—and how powerful it feels when those walls come down.

    She believes history should be about more than famous names and big moments. There are countless lesser-known stories that deserve to be told, and she’s proud to play a part in bringing them to light.

    Taylor holds a Master’s degree in Strategic Communication & Public Relations and teaches Communication & Media Studies courses at the college level, covering topics like Media Literacy, Persuasion, and Interpersonal Communication. Storytelling has always been at the heart of what she does—and now, she’s using that passion to help preserve and share the stories of her hometown.

    Born and raised in Naugatuck, Taylor graduated from Naugatuck High School in 2014 and was a cheerleader, even performing in the 2011 Gator Bowl Halftime Show.

  • Archives Volunteer

    Finley joined the Naugatuck Historical Society with a strong passion for local history and a deep appreciation for preserving the past. Though new to the town, Finley is eager to learn more about Naugatuck’s industrial roots and contribute to sharing its story with others.

    A recent graduate of Southern Connecticut State University, Finley earned a BA in History and discovered a love for archival work through hands-on internships. His experience includes organizing fragile newspaper collections at the New Haven Museum’s Whitney Library and inventorying a collection of historical photographs at the Buley Library Archives.

    Finley especially enjoys working with photographs, which offer powerful visual insight into people, places, and moments that shaped history. He finds great fulfillment in helping preserve these images so future generations can connect with the past.

    This fall, Finley will be pursuing a master’s degree in Library and Information Science online through Dominican University, with a certificate in Archives and Cultural Heritage Resources and Services.