Description

Avon, Then & Now, tells Avon’s story by juxtaposing historic with contemporary images. Avon’s Town Historian, Nora O. Howard, was kind enough to compose a beautifully written, unifying introduction for this history of Avon through photography.

Some surprises in this journey of discovery included a stunningly detailed aerial view of Avon Center in the 1920s when locals set their clocks to the Ensign Bickford whistle and a visit to Heublein Tower by President Ronald Reagan from way back when he was President of the Screen Actors Guild – thanks to the Friends of Heublein Tower for providing the image. Likely one of the most challenging “cognitive search and rescue operations” in the history of Avon involved locating the Aramini family that continues to run “Rose’s Kitchen” in Riverton, CT, once a well-known Avon institution.

Thanks to so many who were willing to share their images and stories, all of whom are gratefully acknowledged. Without their help, a work of this magnitude would not have been possible.