Deep River
Historical Society
Preserving and Celebrating our Legacy
Please note our website is currently being worked on. More pages and content will be coming soon.
Upcoming Events
Coming Soon
The Lost Swords of the Greet White Fleet
Opens, Sunday, June 2, 2-4 PM
In 1906, President Teddy Roosevelt launched the the US Navy’s Great White Fleet on an eighteen-month world tour. One of the officers collected dozens of swords along the way. Fifty years later they ended up in a sea-chest hidden in the attic of the Historical Society’s Stone House. But they have not seen the light of day, until now!
DRHS Annual Strawberry Social
Sunday, June 9, 1-3:30 PM
Join your neighbors and enjoy this traditional community event and help support our mission.
Who We Are
Three museums in one…
1. Our Buildings
The Stone House was built in 1841 from locally-quarried stone. Three generations of the Southworth family called the Stone House their home, where we now display some of their original furnishings as well as donations resonant of that period. The property, which was bequeathed to us from Ada Southworth Munson in 1946, also includes a Carriage House (available for event rentals), a Bleach House from the days of ivory manufacturing, and extensive grounds.
2. Our Collections
In addition to the Southworth bequest of a furnished home, the Deep River Historical Society curates our community’s history through artifacts, documents, maps, diaries, letters, art, and much more. Our rotating exhibits have recently highlighted Deep River’s centuries of industry from wharf to waterfall, contributions to women’s suffrage and activism, and the sacrifices of the men and women of Deep River during World War II. And we are planning more!
3. Our Programs
We provide Deep River with a lively roster of events, including period teas, the strawberry social, antique car shows, and the holiday Festival of Trees, along with year-round, though-provoking talks by authors and residents about local history and its colorful personalities.
Memberships
Access all exhibitions & program updates
Membership includes a subscription to the Society’s newsletter and free admission to exhibits.
Become a Member
Please note, this society is an independent charitable organization. It receives no town or state funding. Any contribution above basic membership is tax deductible, and is most appreciated.
News & Articles
Celebrating our WWII Vets – Elizabeth Woodland
Elizabeth Woodland was born in 1921, the daughter of Stuart and Elvera Woodland of Rattling Valley Rd. She was a graduate of Deep River High School and Becker College. In 1943 she enlisted in the Woman’s Army Air Corps, one of only six women from Deep River who...
Celebrating our WWII Vets- The Miezejeski Family
This small town of Saybrook, as we were known then, sent 416 young men and women off to war. Eighty-five families sent more than one son or daughter. Anna Miezejeski had six stars hanging on her kitchen door for her five sons and one son-in-law. That’s a lot of worry...
Celebrating our WWII Vets-Stanely Stopa & the 296th Combat Engineer Battalion
In March of 1943, a group of 13 Deep River “Boys” left together and formed a Combat Engineers Unit which kept them together throughout the war. Stanley Stopa enlisted at the age of 19 years in the U.S. Army. Stan left by bus from East Hampton, CT with 13 other...
Celebrating our WWII Vets – The Adamcyk Family
Eighty-five families sent more than one son or daughter to war. This week we take a look at the Adamcyk family, John, Ray, and Stanley. John was the oldest of the three brothers at age 38 years and served the shortest time in the U.S Army. Having been inducted...
Celebrating our WWII Vets – Stanley Charles Waz
Stanley Charles Waz, son of Mrs. Anna Waz, of Warsaw St. He was born on June 19, 1919, and was 23 years old at the time of his enlistment in 1942 in the U.S. Army. Lieutenant Stanley Waz, was one of the first “ boys” from Deep River to be called into the armed...
DRHS at Florence Griswold’s Midsummer Festival
Deep River Historical Society will be at Florence Griswold Museum on July 30th from 10:00 am to 3:00 pm for their Midsummer Festival hand-On Minds-On Trail. We will be making paper airplanes and watching them soar. Society publications will be available for sale. Come...