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Last Updated: Oct 16th, 2006 - 15:16:13 |
Stamford, CT - Monday, October 16, 2006 - Mayor Dannel P. Malloy announced today that, at their October 4, 2006 meeting, the Historic Preservation Council of the Connecticut Commission on Culture and Tourism voted to list the Michael A. Boyle Stadium on the State Register of Historic Places. At that same meeting, the Council also designated Fort Stamford as a State Register of Historic Places. At that same meeting, the Council also designated Fort Stamford as a State Archeological Preserve.
Their favorable consideration of these historic places in Stamford follows review of documentation of the history and architecture of Boyle Stadium prepared by Nils Kerschus of the Historic Neighborhood Preservation Program, and of the archeological significance of Fort Stamford submitted by Stamford residents Brian O’Neill and Dane Pearson. Both properties are owned by the City of Stamford.
Fort Stamford, located at 900 Westover Road, was designated as Connecticut’s 23rd State Archeological Preserve. The State Legislature established the State Archeological Preserve program in 2000 as a means to protect the State’s archeological resources from vandalism and theft. In January 2001, the Connecticut Historical Commission, now known as the Historic Preservation Council, designated the first State Archeological Preserve, Redding’s Putnam Park, which was a Revolutionary War encampment.
Fort Stamford is a seven acre historical park that lies upon the remains of a Revolutionary War fort constructed in 1781 by General David Waterbury’s Brigade of Connecticut State Troops. It served as their winter quarters and as their defensive position against British and Loyalist American forces. Upon the termination of hostilities between the U.S. and Great Britain, it was decommissioned, the land was sold and it was partially used as a family estate. In 1973, the City purchased that portion of the property with Fort Stamford’s remains, rescuing it from deterioration and destruction. A five year archeological excavation began in 1973, unearthing over 1000 artifacts with 400 dating back to its occupation by the Connecticut State forces during the American Revolution. Today, Stamford’s Office of Operations works diligently to conserve the fort’s grounds.
The Michael A. Boyle Stadium, located at 55 Strawberry Hill Ave, was conceived by L. Bromfield, Jr., Town Engineer during the administration of John Hanrahan. Bromfield assisted in identifying construction funding through the federal government as a W.P.A. Project. The initial work in 1938 was to have included a bandstand at the north end of the field; however, delays persisted until federal funds were no longer available to support its construction. Boyle Stadium, built in the original Greek terraced style, has adapted to spectators who stand along the sides of the playing field. The stadium’s true architectural significance is found not only in its identical east and west section design features, but also in its polygonal cut granite and stonework. The stadium is historically associated with Michael A. Boyle, who led Stamford to its football “Golden Era” with 83 wins and 4 losses between 1911 and 1920. Today the stadium is home to Stamford High athletics providing seating as well as work out and locker rooms for home and visiting teams.
“We are very proud that Boyle Stadium has been honored with this recognition on the State Register of Historic Places and that Fort Stamford will be afforded the protection as a State Archeological Preserve. I am certain that they will continue to be enjoyed by Stamford residents and visitors for many years to come,” said Mayor Malloy.
The listing of Boyle Stadium on the State Register of Historic Places opens the door for the City to apply for Connecticut Historic Restoration Funds that are available from both State bonding as well as the Connecticut Investment Act that was passed by the Legislature in 2005. The City is pursuing a one to one matching grant under the Historic Restoration Fund of the Connecticut Commission on Culture and Tourism to stabilize the structure and enable its use going forward.
The process for evaluating and determining the eligibility of a property for listing on the State Register of Historic Places is that it must be first nominated by submitting supporting documentation to the Commission on Culture and Tourism’s Historic Preservation and Museum Division and then be approved by the State Historic Preservation Council. In considering the nomination to the State Register, the Council determines whether the property, or a district of a collection of properties, is associated with events that have made a significant contribution to our history or the lives of persons who are significant in our past; or that it embodies the distinctive characteristics of a type, period or method of construction, or that it represents the work of a master, it possesses high artistic values, it as a district represents a significant and distinguishable collection of buildings whose structures may lack individual distinction; or that it has yielded, or may be likely to yield, information important in history or prehistory.
The Connecticut State Historic Preservation Office works in partnership with the Office of the State Archeologist to identify, evaluate, and designate State Archeological Preserves. The State Historic Preservation Office solicits Connecticut’s municipal governments, archeological and historical societies, property owners, and concerned citizens to identify and recommend significant archeological resources for State Archeological Preserve designation.
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