Then

This is the Putnam Public Library shortly after the Flood of 1955. The library had been completed just a few weeks before the flood. Putnam Town Crier file photos.

 

& Now

This is the library in modern times.

 

 

$600 raised

WOODSTOCK — Woodstock Academy’s school-wide yard sale took place Sept. 20 during Shop Hop Weekend. 

The event did exceptionally well for its first year. Collectively the clubs and organizations of Woodstock Academy raised about $600; about $200 of which was donated to the Woodstock Academy Relay For Life team.

 The organizations that participated included the Robotics Club, the Future Business Leaders of America, the French Honor Society, and Student Council. 

 

Art program

PUTNAM — Oct. 10 the Putnam Arts Council in partnership with the Aspinock Historical Society.  Fabiola Cutler, archivist, genealogist, as well as an historian for the Aspinock Historical Society, will present a program on artist J.J. Sawyer.  

This program is free and will be held at The Gallery on Main Street (Open Spaces).  There will be time to mingle beginning at 6:30 p.m. with the presentation starting at 7.  Wine and cheese reception provided by the Putnam Arts Council.

James Jones Sawyer (1813-1888) is a 19th Century artist of portraits & landscapes.  He was born in 1813 in Pomfret (now part of Putnam). 

J. J. Sawyer left Pomfret to begin a career as a portrait artist in New York City.   He found a patron in Henry C. Bowen, exactly his age and also from Connecticut.  Although J.J. Sawyer exhibited in New York, he flourished upon his return to Connecticut with the support of his patron, Bowen.  He had a varied career painting portraits and scenes from nature.  Some of his paintings may be found in the Ashford Town Hall, the Woodstock Historical Society, Roseland Cottage (Pink House), Woodstock and the Smithsonian Museum.

J.J. Sawyer died in 1888 in Putnam and is buried in the Grove Street Cemetery.