Letter: Be mindful of heritage

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To the editor,

“Back in the day” we were told that change is inevitable and a good thing for the betterment of all. I have to say that, in my opinion, this is not always true.

Recently on the television show “Mysteries at the Museum” there was a piece about Naugatuck’s Historical Museum that was then located at the old railroad station on Water Street. That building with all of its history (even to who built it) was, to me, a perfect place for the Naugatuck museum.

The television program zeroed in on a rolled up piece of rubber tied with an old piece of string. Went on to tell the true story about Mr. Goodyear and how he went about inventing the product called rubber and the many uses for it today.

You, who have been to the old railroad museum, have seen interesting items from yesteryear and even the working railroad trains in a small village scene.

I come from a time when this building was used on the railroad and even had a small eatery located on the left side for train passengers to get a quick bite or take something with them on the train. Then the building became used by this newspaper to get out the area news. Now we are told that it has been sold and a restaurant business is to open up there in our near future.

It is my hope that the original old outside structure is kept intact. Hopefully the powers that be, who in their wisdom put the sale together, had the foresight to put into the paperwork that the outside of this historic building be kept intact.

Also there was a collection area on this land for Goodwill Industries. It was moved away and I’d like to know to where. So I, and others, can still take items to it (for the greater good of others).

We’ve been told that the items that were in the museum have been taken to the [Tuttle] building for storage. How sad this is for Naugatuck’s history. Is it to be forgotten now because of lack of funds?

Except for the money gotten from the sale of the old railway station I see no greater good in this situation. In fact, its location was a great one, so near to Route 8. It has been my hope that with more advertising the museum there would bring people to this town. Especially when that area is more developed and a walkway along the river created.

Also, hope that the parking area for the railroad passengers is still kept on that side for their vehicle parking. Wonder if something was put into the paperwork about this

I suggest that those in charge of all of this be more mindful of the heritage of Naugatuck, Connecticut. It was one thing to take down all of the rubber shop buildings and quite another to sell the Naugatuck railway station and land there.

Mae Fay

Naugatuck