In Memory of Frank Hayden
Frank Hayden dedicated six years of service to the Naugatuck Historical Society, sharing his time, talents, and quiet commitment to preserving the community's history. After retiring and seeking meaningful ways to give back, Frank found a natural fit with the Society, where his lifelong love of history and his desire to stay connected came together.
As a Board member and an active volunteer, Frank contributed thoughtfully to the care of the museum and to the planning of exhibits and programs. His work on the Facilities Committee, including his careful photographic documentation of the Tuttle House, helped support the ongoing stewardship of the building. He also shared his love of model trains, generously contributing pieces from his personal collection to the Society’s 2024 Victorian Christmas display.
Frank approached his volunteer work with humility, warmth, and a genuine love for the Society’s mission. His quiet manner and steady presence made him a valued colleague and a reassuring partner in the work of preserving Naugatuck’s stories.
We are deeply grateful for the time Frank shared with us and for the care he brought to everything he did. His contributions, kindness, and dedication will be remembered with appreciation and respect.
In keeping with the wishes shared by Frank’s family, those who would like to honor his memory may do so through a memorial gift to the Naugatuck Historical Society.
We are participating in the Ion Bank Community Awards Program!
From February 2, 2026, through March 2, 2026, Ion Bank customers can vote for their favorite nonprofit organization. For every vote cast, the Ion Bank Foundation will donate twenty-five dollars directly to that organization.
Each customer may vote once. If an account has multiple owners, each owner may vote.
By voting for the Naugatuck Historical Society, you are supporting the preservation of local history, educational programs, and the stories that define our community.
We are deeply grateful for your support.
This free series of lectures and performances invites neighbors, families, and history lovers of all ages to come together and explore the people, ideas, and moments that shaped the American story, with a special focus on Connecticut and the Naugatuck Valley. All programs are free and open to the public; everyone is welcome.
Sunday, March 22
2 pm to 3 pm
What a Glorious Crash They Made Musick of Connecticut’s Revolution
An exploration of Revolutionary era songs and hymns published in Connecticut and what they reveal about life during the war. >>>
Sunday, April 19
2 pm to 3 pm
Revolutionary Portraits Minutemen, Patriots and Tories
An examination of individuals in the Naugatuck Valley who were accused as Loyalists during the American Revolution, and how those charges affected families, livelihoods, and reputations within their communities. >>>
Sunday, May 17
2 pm to 3 pm
The Web They Wove Women and Their Wardrobes during New England’s Revolution
An exploration of how women’s work with textiles and clothing supported households, communities, and the fight for independence during the American Revolution. Costumed historians from The Dirty Blue Shirts use reproduction garments and material culture to examine daily life, labor, and survival in a time of upheaval. >>>
Sunday, June 14
2 pm to 3 pm
A look at the British raids along Connecticut’s shoreline and their impact on local communities during the American Revolution, with a focus on how these events connected the Naugatuck Valley to the broader war effort. >>>
The Summer of 1779 The Coastal Raids on Connecticut
Sunday, July 12
2 pm to 3 pm
An examination of how the meaning of liberty has evolved and been debated in the United States since 1776, including the role of law, rights, and judicial interpretation. >>>
Liberty and the American Experience
Sunday, August 23
2 pm to 3 pm
Rough Medicine The Medicine and Surgery of the American Revolution
An exploration of eighteenth-century medical care during the American Revolution, featuring period medical instruments, remedies, and practices used by surgeons and physicians of the time. >>>
Chauncey Judd The Stolen Boy A Story of the Revolution, published in January 1874 by Israel Perkins Warren, recounts the dramatic Revolutionary War era kidnapping that unfolded in what is now the Naugatuck Valley. Written less than a century after the event, the book reflects how this local story was remembered and interpreted in the nineteenth century. The complete ebook is available to read for free online and offers a valuable historical perspective for anyone interested in early American history and Naugatuck’s past.
A community trivia series featuring questions on Naugatuck and local history, Americana in honor of America 250, and a surprise theme unique to each location.
Free and open to everyone. Come with a group or join a team when you arrive.
Monday, February 23, 2026 at 6 pm
Brady's Pub & Restaurant, 152 Church Street, Naugatuck
Monday, March 23, 2026 at 6 pm
Jesse Camille's Restaurant, 615 Church Street, Naugatuck
Monday, April 20, 2026 at 6 pm
La Casita Mexican Restaurant & Cantina, 9 Church Street, Naugatuck
Thursday, May 21, 2026 at 6 pm
The Corner Tavern, 178 North Main Street, Naugatuck