New Canaan There & Then: Slavery in Connecticut, Venture Smith and the 200th Anniversary of Tom Peterson

By Nick Williams, Board Governor, New Canaan Museum and Historical Society | May 21, 2026

‘New Canaan There & Then’ is sponsored by Brown Harris Stevens Realtors Bettina Hegel, Joanne Santulli and Dawn Sterner.

The upcoming Independence Day is, of course, the sesquicentennial of our country. For history lovers this Fourth of July will also be remembered as the 200th anniversary of the deaths of both Thomas Jefferson and John Adams in 1826 (in that order, despite Adams’ plaintive last words, “Jefferson lives”), in what surely is the most extraordinary coincidence in American history.

A Race for All Kids Fighting Cancer: The Gracie Fund’s ‘Soap Box Derby’

A New Canaan family will host an event in town this fall to support children and families facing pediatric cancer.
Letter to the Editor

NewCanaanite.com recently received the following letter.
NCLT: ‘Firefly Sanctuary’ Closed for Restoration in 2026; Alternative Tour Set for July 1 at Waveny

A hugely popular spot to watch fireflies during the height of their summer season will be closed this year for habitat and trail restoration purposes.
Man, 46, Arrested After Using Fake ID To Try Withdrawing Bank Funds

Police last week arrested a 46-year-old Bronx, N.Y. man after he tried to use a fake ID to withdraw money from a local bank.
Natalie J. MacDonald, 100

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Natalie J. MacDonald of New Canaan, Connecticut, and Stuart, Florida, on May 19, 2026.
‘The Community Is Very Concerned’: South Avenue Repaving To Start in September

A long-running construction project in New Canaan is now expected to stretch into the 2026-27 school year, officials said Tuesday, raising traffic concerns for the town.
Edward Allen Kangas, 81

Edward Allen Kangas, 81, of New Canaan, Connecticut, passed away peacefully at home on May 14, 2026 with his wife Cathy and son Scott by his side.
Letters to the Editor

NewCanaanite.com recently received the following letters.
Meet Valentina Baldini, Our NCHS ‘SIP’ Intern

Many readers will recognize the name of our New Canaan High School senior intern, Valentina Baldini, from last summer. Our 2025 intern under a summer program generously sponsored by New Canaan’s Karp Associates, Baldini returns for the next month—her final weeks at NCHS—under the school’s hugely popular Senior Internship Program, or “SIP.” (more…)
New Canaan Teen Charged in Domestic Incident

Police on Sunday evening arrested an 18-year-old New Canaan man and charged him with disorderly conduct.
Fire Marshal: CO Incidents in New Canaan

[Paul Payne is the New Canaan fire marshal.] In the recent weeks there have been multiple carbon monoxide incidents in New Canaan.
Nicola ‘Pop’ DiFulvio, 89

Nicola “Pop” DiFulvio beloved husband, father, grandfather, brother and friend passed away May 16, 2026 surrounded by his loving family. Born on November 30, 1936 in Fara Filiorum Petri, Italy. Nicola carried with him the values of hard work, loyalty and devotion to family throughout his life. He proudly served in the Italian Military from 1959-1961 before immigrating to the United States in March of 1964 in search of a better future for his family and settled in New Canaan, CT.
Warrant: New Canaan Woman’s Identity Used in Theft, Fraud

Police on April 30 arrested a 65-year-old New Jersey woman by warrant after she stole a $112,067 U.S. Treasury check from a local resident and deposited it into a Nashville bank.
White Oak Shade Road Antique Sells for $3.5 Million

The following property transfer(s) were recorded recently in the Town Clerk’s office.
Herbert F. Aspbury, 81

Herbert F. Aspbury, a longtime resident of New Canaan, CT and of John’s Island, Florida died on Tuesday May 12th aged 81. (more…)
New Canaan There & Then: Chester B. “Chet” Hansen, a Ringside Seat to The Greatest War

‘New Canaan There & Then’ is sponsored by Brown Harris Stevens Realtors Bettina Hegel, Joanne Santulli and Dawn Sterner. The opening scene of the 1970 Academy Award-winning movie “Patton” is one of the most iconic in cinema history. (more…)

What You’re Saying …

“Brilliant comment”
— Roy Abramowitz on Op-Ed: Deceit on Weed Street
“Thank you, Scott. And as always, thank you for your tireless work on affordable housing in our town.”
— Hilary Ormond on Letter to the Editor
“Another great story. You are becoming our town historian. One note, sesquicentennial is 150 years, while semi quintessential is…”
— Chris Le Bris on New Canaan There & Then: Slavery in Connecticut, Venture Smith and the 200th Anniversary of Tom Peterson
“Our deepest condolences 🙏 Romas Family/ New Caanan Pizza”
— Tom Romas on Nicola ‘Pop’ DiFulvio, 89
“Thank you Scott for the kind words. The workshop was a great opportunity for the…”
— Christopher Wilson on Letter to the Editor
“Bravo Gracie Fund - and the Falsetta family! Not only are you raising money for an important cause, but…”
— Elizabeth DeMuth on A Race for All Kids Fighting Cancer: The Gracie Fund’s ‘Soap Box Derby’
“I am sad to learn of Herb's passing. He was my mentor and friend at MHT and Chemical. While…”
— Joel Glodowski on Herbert F. Aspbury, 81
“word salad.........”
— Kevin Duncan on Op-Ed: Deceit on Weed Street
“Can we appoint a new chair for Wetlands? Maybe you’ve identified the issue - and a clean path forward.”
— Edina Cutcher on Op-Ed: Deceit on Weed Street
“Our sincere appreciation to the NC Fire Department for this important advice. Several members came to our house recently to…”
— Alan and Loni Haas on Fire Marshal: CO Incidents in New Canaan
“BINGO!!! A "compromise" generally involves both parties giving up something. Arnold Karps " compromise " just gives him a…”
— James Yao on Op-Ed: Deceit on Weed Street
“Thank you for this post. Very helpful. As a 20yr resident of New Canaan, I am strongly in…”
— Glen Reid on Op-Ed: Deceit on Weed Street
“Our thoughts and prayers are with the DiFulvio family. Nicola worked for our father's construction company years ago.…”
— Lauren Cerretani on Nicola ‘Pop’ DiFulvio, 89
“👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼”
— Michael Dinan on Op-Ed: Deceit on Weed Street
“"Save our town"? And aspire to be like "the Hamptons"?? Please Jerry. No offense to the Hamptons, but that is…”
— William McDaniel on Op-Ed: Deceit on Weed Street
“A great man!”
— Judy gilroy on Nicola ‘Pop’ DiFulvio, 89
“I worked for Herb at MHT in the early ‘80’s. A genuinely decent guy. Sending sincere condolences to his family.”
— Kathryn Mello Scudera on Herbert F. Aspbury, 81
“The tiebreaker to keep our P&Z appointed and not elected was cast at the CRC by the appointed Chair of…”
— Roy Abramowitz on Op-Ed: Deceit on Weed Street
“Chet served as my Election Moderator during most of my years as Registrar of Voters. He was always detail…”
— George Cody on New Canaan There & Then: Chester B. “Chet” Hansen, a Ringside Seat to The Greatest War

Events

Wed 27

NewCanaanite.com - Big news for a small town: New Canaan, CT.

New Canaan There & Then: Slavery in Connecticut, Venture Smith and the 200th Anniversary of Tom Peterson

By Nick Williams, Board Governor, New Canaan Museum and Historical Society | May 21, 2026

HAYVN SPEAK E-Z: Monthly Meetup Practicing Public Speaking Together at HAYVN Greenwich!

Mahjong at the Nature Center

Journey into the World of Tea | Herbal Infusions