Hamden Through Time: One Year, One Town, One Thousand Stories

Press release from Town of Hamden

HAMDEN, CT — Hamden Town Clerk Karimah Mickens and the Hamden Town Clerk’s Office present a week of Town-wide events focused on the year 1938, using it as a lens to explore the people, places, and progress that have shaped our Town.

This collaborative event brings together Town departments, commissions, community partners, and residents to celebrate Hamden’s collective history through the lens of a single year. Over the course of this week, we will highlight our shared story with music, dance, art, storytelling, and community gatherings that honor both the past and the present. Our vision is to make this an annual tradition that unites Hamden through reflection, celebration, and connection.

All Week September 15 through September 20

1938 Comes Alive in Hamden! Art Walk & Veterans Exhibit

Hamden Government Center Lobby, 2750 Dixwell Avenue, 06518

1938 Artifacts Exhibit

Miller Memorial Library, Third Floor, 2901 Dixwell Avenue, 06518

Monday, September 15: A Movie Presentation of “Our Town” by Thornton Wilder

6:30 p.m. – 8 p.m. at the Miller Memorial Library Friends Room, 2901 Dixwell Avenue, 06518

Hosted by the Hamden Public Library

Published in 1938, Our Town is one of the most widely produced plays of all time. Written by Thornton Wilder, a resident of Hamden, this Pulitzer Prize-winning American play presents the fictional town of Grover’s Corner in the early 1900s through the everyday lives of its residents. Click here for more details.

Tuesday, September 16: 1938 Yearbook Display

1 p.m. – 2 p.m. at Miller Memorial Library History Room, 2901 Dixwell Avenue, 06518

Hosted by Hamden’s Historic Properties Commission

A look back at Hamden High in 1938! Discover the yearbook pages that highlight student life—from style trends and homerooms to clubs, teams, and special events that shaped a generation.

Tuesday, September 16: Thornton Wilder Panel Discussion (Video)

6:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. at Miller Memorial Library Friends Room, 2901 Dixwell Avenue, 06518

Join us for a screening of a 2024 virtual panel discussion focused on Thornton Wilder, the famous triple Pulitzer Prize-winning author of Our Town (1897-1975), and his play, written in 1938. Click for here more details.

Wednesday, September 17: Back to School - Then. Now.

1:30 p.m. - 2:30 p.m. at the Hamden Senior Center, 2901 Dixwell Avenue, 06518

Hosted by the Hamden Journeys Group

Join us for a lively conversation exploring school life in Hamden in 1938 — from the opening of the new high school to the realities of sports, equity, and opportunities for all students. Together, we will reflect on how education has evolved, what has stayed the same, and the stories that continue to shape our schools. Whether you attended Hamden’s public or private schools — recently or decades ago — your memories are part of this shared history.

Wednesday, September 17: The Places That Held Us — Black Gathering Spaces in 1938

5:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. at the African American Lodge #024, 12 Manila Avenue, 06514

In 1938, African Americans in towns like Hamden faced the daily realities of redlining, employment discrimination, and segregation while navigating the larger waves of the Great Migration. Yet, in the face of systemic barriers, Black communities built sanctuaries of resilience and belonging. This panel explores the central role of churches, social clubs, and community organizations as safe spaces where Black residents could gather, organize, and thrive. Local historians, community leaders, and storytellers will discuss how these spaces fostered cultural expression, mutual aid, and resistance—and how their legacies continue to shape community life today.

Thursday, September 18: Hamden History, Architecture, Streets, Store Fronts, and Trivia

6:30 p.m. – 8 p.m. at Thornton Wilder Hall, 2901 Dixwell Avenue, 06518

Hosted by the Hamden Historical Society

We will begin the evening with the swearing-in of our new Hamden Municipal Historian, Paul Saubestre. Following the ceremony, Paul will take us on a journey back to the 1930s, exploring everyday life in Hamden through photos comparing neighborhoods then and now. Discover the schools, shops, and theaters that defined the era, revisit the key events of 1938, and see how transportation revolutionized the Town. The program concludes with a round of fun Hamden trivia questions to test your knowledge!

Friday, September 19: Inside the Archives — 1938 on the Record

3:30 p.m. – 5 p.m. at Hamden Government Center, 2750 Dixwell Avenue, 06518

Hosted by the Town Clerk's Office and the Engineering Department

Join us for a special visit to the Hamden Town Clerk’s Vault and the Engineering Department. Explore maps, documents, and archives that capture Hamden’s past and show how history is recorded for generations to come.

Saturday, September 20: Veterans Memorial Wall Panel Unveiling Ceremony

2 p.m. – 4 p.m. at the Hamden Middle School Veterans Memorial Auditorium, 2623 Dixwell Avenue, 06518

Hosted by the Hamden Veterans Commission

Join us for a special ceremony honoring Hamden’s veterans with the unveiling of two newly installed panels on the Hamden Veterans Memorial Wall. The ceremony will pay tribute to those whose names have been added, as well as to all veterans who have served our nation with courage and dedication. The new panels bear the names of approximately 184 individuals whose service and sacrifice are now permanently recognized in our community’s place of honor.

Saturday, September 20: A Community Gathering – Music, Art, Dance & Film of 1938

6 p.m. – 8 p.m. at Villano Park, 260 Mill Rock Road, 06517

Hosted by the Hamden Arts Commission and the Hamden Fire Department

Celebrate the finale of Hamden Through Time at Villano Park! Bring family, friends, food, and drink, and enjoy an evening filled with music, dance, and community spirit. Together we will step back in time and revisit the cultural touchstones of 1938. Attendees are encouraged to bring comfortable blankets and chairs.

The evening kicks off with a Touch-a-Truck showcase with the Hamden Fire Department, offering fun for kids and families. You will also experience art and performances presented in collaboration with the Hamden Arts Commission, which will co-host this special event alongside the Fire Department.

Come ready to gather, celebrate, and close out the week with community, history, and connection.

For more information, contact the Town Clerk’s Office at 203-287-7028 or by email at townclerk@hamden.com.

This press release was produced by Town of Hamden. The views expressed here are the author’s own.