West Hartford Chamber Revives 1930 Town History Book

WEST HARTFORD, CT — Nearly a century after commissioning a book chronicling West Hartford's history, the West Hartford Chamber of Commerce is bringing the work back into print.

The West Hartford Chamber of Commerce has republished William H. Hall's "History of West Hartford," originally released in 1930, and will mark the occasion with a book launch Wednesday, Sept. 23, from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. at the Fairview Cemetery Chapel, 200 Whitman Ave.

The new edition is a facsimile reproduction preserving Hall's original account of the people, places, and events that shaped West Hartford.

It also includes a new foreword by Chamber President and CEO Chris Conway and an introduction by West Hartford Town Historian Mary Donohue.

The redesigned cover pays tribute to the book's original hardcover edition.

"There is something especially meaningful about the Chamber returning to a project it first helped bring to life nearly 100 years ago," Conway said.

"William H. Hall captured a community that was growing and evolving, and his work gives us a remarkable connection to the West Hartford that came before us," he said.

Fairview Cemetery has a connection to the book's author: Hall helped establish the cemetery and is buried there, according to the Chamber.

The Sept. 23 event will include a panel discussion about Hall, the town's history, the book's republication and efforts to preserve local history.

Chuck Coursey, chairman of the West Hartford Chamber's board of directors, will moderate the discussion.

Panelists will be Conway, Donohue, and Brett Freiburger, local history librarian at the West Hartford Public Library.

The event is being presented in partnership with the Town of West Hartford and the West Hartford Chamber Foundation.

Tickets cost $25 and include a copy of "History of West Hartford."

Advance registration is required because space is limited, according to organizers. Additional copies will be available for purchase during the event.

The book is also available locally at Kimberly Gifts, Good Cause Gifts, River Bend Book Shop, and the Noah Webster House Gift Shop, as well as through the Chamber's website.

Profits from book sales will benefit the West Hartford Chamber Foundation and its community programs.

For more information on the book and the book launch event, click on this link or this link.