Darien Historical Society Aims to Bring History Alive

Before 1976, the Old Lace Schoolhouse was vacant and idle, left untouched after years of use by the city as a school, the first city hall and police station. Thanks to the , it was transformed into a museum and is now the city's primary landmark.

The Darien Historical Society works to preserve original artifacts of Darien. The Old Lace Schoolhouse houses old photographs and donated items to present the history of Darien to the public.

“We want to be the liaison for the past and how the area developed,” said Alice Brennan, secretary for the historical society board.

To do this, the society hosts several events throughout the year and attempts to gather new members, as everything is done through donations and volunteer work. With about 200 members and 11 board members, the society hosts events including the in January, a Tag Day and the to stay involved with the community.

“We are very grateful to the public who join us,” Brennan said. “Whether or not they actually live in the city or outside, they’re all welcome. We’d love to have them as part of the organization.”

Besides working to preserve the history of Darien, the Historical Society aims to teach those who are interested in learning how the city formed. The museum is currently working with the Andermann family, one of the original families of settlers in the area, to acquire their artifacts and display them on the lower level. 

Some board members, such as Sam Kelly, are in the process of piecing together the complete history of Darien, from its roots as an area of farmland to its development into the suburb it is today. In fact, Kelly, a longtime society board member, was part of the team that chose the name “Darien” during the city’s incorporation on December 13, 1969. He lived through the city’s history and said the society has done its best to keep it alive.

“We’ve always enjoyed what we do,” Kelly said. “You can like history or don’t like it, but we as a society do like it. We appreciate the support from the public and look forward to good times.”

Of course, the society and the museum are not just for those interested in the history of Darien. According to Brennan, the museum presents a unique perspective for all.

“We want to keep that information at the forefront for the children who live in the area,” Brennan said. “It’s also an interesting sight for adults to come in and see how Darien developed from an agricultural center to today’s suburb.” 

Ultimately, visitors will be able to learn about their city and surrounding areas with a visit to the museum. The , located on Cass Avenue, is open on the first Sunday of each month from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.

"[The schoolhouse] was one of the original buildings that we had in Darien when it was founded," said board member Cathy Marchese. “It brings the history of Darien to the community."