Southington Historical Society Unveils Artifact Wish List

SOUTHINGTON, CT — The Southington Historical Society needs help from local history buffs and it is asking residents to track down photographs, documents, memories—and even a living example of a locally developed rose.

The organization said it is seeking information or materials connected to three pieces of Southington history: the defunct Apple Valley Kennel Club, the West Street School, and horticulturist Nicholas Grillo's Thornless Beauty rose.

"Some people come to the Historical Society for info on places, family, or businesses," the organization wrote in a social media post. "This is the reverse."

The historical society is seeking:

• Apple Valley Kennel Club: Photographs or information about the Southington organization from the 1980s and 1990s.
• West Street School: Historical items, papers, articles, and personal memories connected to the school, particularly material covering the period from 1750 to 1945. The historic one-room schoolhouse dates to around 1750-1760 and served generations of local students before closing in the mid-1940s.
• Grillo's Thornless Beauty rose: A living specimen of the rose developed by Southington horticulturist Nicholas Grillo. Grillo operated a greenhouse business on Canal Street in the Milldale section of town and became known for developing new rose varieties. His Thornless Beauty, developed around 1940, was a light-crimson hybrid tea rose distinguished by its lack of thorns.

Grillo's horticultural work gained attention beyond Southington.

His thornless rose received recognition at the International Flower Show in New York, and his flowers were ordered for display at the White House during Eleanor Roosevelt's time as first lady.

Grillo operated his greenhouses for about 50 years before retiring in 1965. A plaque commemorating his contributions can be found in the gardens at Southington's Barnes Museum.

The society's request suggests a living Thornless Beauty rose has so far proved more elusive than the photographs and documents typically collected by historical organizations.

Anyone with relevant photographs, records, memories or information — or who believes they may have a surviving Grillo Thornless Beauty rose — is encouraged to contact the Southington Historical Society.

For more information, including contact information, on the Southington Historical Society, click on this link.