First known as Center School, this building later housed Middlebury’s public library and today is home to the Middlebury Historical Society. (Middlebury Historical Society photo)
It Happened in Middlebury
By AGNES C. LUTES
It was with great trepidation I ascended the stairs to the Middlebury Public Library. My grammar school self was sure what was waiting inside was a trip over the coals. I was a young child with a passion for reading and several overdue books.
Although I did not attend the Middlebury schools, I had become acquainted with the librarian, Mrs. Bronson, from previous visits. I deposited the books on the desk gently and hoped for the best while steeling myself for the worst. She smiled and asked if I had enjoyed the books, “Yes, thank you, Mrs. Bronson!” Oh, blessed relief! I was not going to get my knuckles rapped with a ruler.
I have been working with the Middlebury Historical Society for over 20 years in the building that was originally Center School and which later became the town library. I frequently walk in the footsteps of this amazing woman in the beautiful space she knew as the library. I think of her as I walk through the rooms she inhabited and which now mean so much to me. Though we have written about Delia Bronson before, she left such a lasting impression on our town I thought we might take another look.
Except for my contact with Mrs. Bronson at the library, I have no frame of reference. Over the years visitors to our building have said she operated her classes and the library “by the book.” She has been described as a stern taskmaster, shushing noisy children in the library and stamping library cards with a crack of thunder. She demanded respect and attention from her pupils.
After hearing these descriptions of her, I was pleasantly surprised when I recently watched a 1957 video of Middlebury’s 150th anniversary celebration, at which she spoke. In the video, I saw a smiling, confident person clearly enjoying the celebration. People also describe her as kind, generous with her time, helpful and self assured,
She was born in 1897, the same year Center School was built, a building that would play a big part in her later life when it functioned as the library. She came from Woodbury to teach at Kissewaug School in 1919 and after two years moved to Hop Swamp School, now occupied by the Region 15 central office, where she taught and was principal for 12 years.
When she married in 1929, she retired from teaching, as was the custom, but accepted the job of part-time librarian, When her husband died in 1935, she returned to teaching, first at Shepardson School and then at Memorial School. After retiring from teaching in 1959, she continued to work at the library, eventually becoming our full-time librarian.
She founded the first 4-H Club in town, and it grew to nine clubs with 216 members. In 1955, she accepted the newly created position of Middlebury’s first police woman. The town needed a female officer to assist in cases involving women. Delia Bronson, a true public servant, died in 1987 and is buried in Woodbury.
Her many contributions throughout her lifetime demonstrate the belief that we should give back something to the town we live in. Hers was a legacy of many years of service, One of her many accomplishments is her history of Middlebury to which she gave the name “History and Interesting Stories of Middlebury, Connecticut.” It is in a series of small three-ring notebooks typed single space. This is a compilation indispensible to town historians.
These books were transcribed and published in 1992 by the Middlebury Historical Society and have been reprinted twice. They no doubt will be published again by future historians, Thank you, Mrs. Bronson.
Agnes Lutes is the Middlebury Historical Society vice president. You can contact the Society at 203-206-4717. The building is open Monday afternoons from 2 to 5 and other times by appointment.
You must be logged in to post a comment.