SEYMOUR – Seymour is about to turn 175 years old, and the town is throwing a birthday party later this month to celebrate the milestone.
The party, organized by the Seymour Culture and Arts Commission, with help from members of the Events/Parade, Seymour Historical Society and First Selectwoman Annmarie Drugonis’ assistant, Steven Ditria, will be held June 21. It’ll be a “day packed with family fun, local flavor and small business spirit.”
“We knew the 175th birthday was coming up, and we knew we needed to throw a party acknowledging that we’ve been here for 175 years,” said Drugonis. “I think it’s important to come together as a community, because that’s what Seymour is all about, its community spirit. Coming together for this milestone fosters connections, supports local businesses and creates lasting memories for all.”
The party will kick off in downtown Seymour at 11 a.m.
Some of the events include:
- Sidewalks sales at local businesses
- Children’s activities
- An old-fashioned ice cream truck
- Tours of the Seymour Historical Society, 59 West. St.
- 2 to 4 p.m. tours/open houses of local churches: Seymour Congregational, 45 Broad St.; Trinity Church, 91 W. Church St.; St. Nicholas @ Good Shepard, 135 Mountain Rd; Living Springs Church, 141 Great Hill Rd. and Seymour United Methodist Church, 91 Pearl St.
- Firehouse open houses; Citizens Engine Co., 26 Deforest St. and Great Hill Hose Co., 140 Botsford Rd.
- Presentation of colors by the American Legion Emil Senger Post 10
- Birthday cake at Seymour Town Hall (1 p.m.)
The day’s events will continue into the evening from 4 to 9 p.m. at Seymour High School, 2 Botsford Rd. with the following events/activities:
- 4 to 9 p.m. — Food trucks, a DJ, pony rides and petting zoo
- 6 to 9 p.m. — Live concert courtesy of Southern Voice, performing top country hits, as well as a mix of rock, southern rock and dance music. According to the band’s website, their experience spans performances at intimate local bars to opening for Nashville’s Craig Campbell and performing at the VIP show for Jason Aldean’s concert at Hartford’s Comcast Theater.
- 9 p.m. Fireworks
Culture and Arts Commission Chairwoman Judy Simpson said Seymour High School’s art department students are creating a big birthday card for all guests to sign to commemorate the event.
According to information from the Seymour Historical Society, while the town was officially incorporated in 1850, its historical journey dates back to 1642, when land from nearby Derby extended into what is known today as Seymour.
Pequot Chief Joseph “Chuse” Mauwehu later settled by the Naugatuck River near the great falls (near what was formerly Broad Street Park, now renamed Chusetown Community Park). White settlers referred to the area as Chusetown, named after Chief Joseph.
The area was renamed Humphreysville in 1804 after Revolutionary War hero Gen. David Humphreys, who brought the first Merino sheep here, and ultimately in 1850 was named Seymour after then-state Governor Thomas Seymour.
From its humble beginnings as a farming community to its waterfalls powering early grist mills, corn mills, paper mills and blacksmith shops and later becoming a hub of manufacturing things like cotton cloth, paper, wool and tools, Drugonis said Seymour has much to celebrate.
Some of Seymour’s earliest businesses are still here today. Austin Goodyear Day started an industry that produced a type of telegraph cable that could be placed under the ocean so that clear communications from one continent to another was possible. That company was the Kerite Company, still in business today on Day Street.
“Recognizing our town’s 175th birthday strengthens our community pride and unity, celebrating our shared history and resilience,” Drugonis said.
Here’s a few other fun facts about Seymour’s history, according to the Seymour Historical Society:
- In 1882, the town organized its first fire department. The name, Ocean Fire Company, was decided upon and equipment purchased. Two years later the group reorganized and changed its name to Citizens Engine Company, No. 2.
- In 1884, Seymour built its first public high school on Bank Street. It was considered to be one of the best high schools in the state. It boasted cold, fresh running water. Later it was used as an elementary school and became known as Center School.
- Seymour’s first free public library was established in 1890 on the second floor of a town building. It had 2,911 books on its shelves and 560 registered people to borrow books.
- Shortly after the turn to the 20th century, Seymour saw its first trolley enter town, saw the establishment of a town court and the beginning of the Seymour Police Department.
- Seymour’s population in 1850 was 1,677. In 2025, there are about 16,748 residents.
