The Bridgeport Library History Center #12
Address: 925 Broad St, Bridgeport, CT 06604
Website: bportlibrary.org
Phone Number: 203-576-7400
Hours:
Wed: 10:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Thu: 12:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Fri: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Sat: 10:00 AM -5:00 PM (by appointment)
The Bridgeport History Center’s foundations were laid in the 19th century by Bridgeport citizens who cared about their community and wished to document it for future generations. The department was formally founded in 1936, and it is a proud part of the Bridgeport Public Library System.
We continue this tradition of documentation by continuously acquiring material that speaks to Bridgeport’s rich past, vibrant contemporary community, and ensures access to this material for present and future generations.
Within the Bridgeport History Center are over 12,000 volumes, thousands of photographs, manuscript items, newspapers and newspaper clipping files, the Bridgeport History Center contains all kinds of materials on Bridgeport and the greater Connecticut-Long Island region, as well as one of the largest genealogy collections in the state. From oral history interviews with Bridgeport citizens to the personal papers of P.T. Barnum, our collection documents every aspect of Bridgeport and strives to document Bridgeport’s diverse communities.
Bridgeport Art Trail 2025 Schedule
On display: The Candy Cane Smokestack
Thursday, November 6 - Saturday, November 8
A constant on the Bridgeport horizon for nearly 70 years, the red and white smokestack is a controversial icon representing Bridgeport, its grit, grime and glory. Some have nostalgic sentiment seeing it as a welcoming geographical marker, a churning impressive structure with a ‘Cat in Hat-like’ striped smokestack, seen from the water, sky and I-95.
Others see it as a reminder of the pollution that the power plant spewed into the air and leeched into the water, creating an environmental health hazard and blaring symbol of environmental injustice that affected the health of residents and workers in the South End.
Is it beautiful or ugly? ‘Beauty is in the eye of the beholder’. There is hope that as new waterfront development progresses, an artful component will be part of the plan. This would be a powerful symbol of the rebirth and creativity growing out of the urban environment, an impactful statement to see from I-95 and on Long Island Sound.
Art by Dustin DeMilio
The colossal factory complex contrasted by the whimsical candy cane tower spurred dualistic thoughts that Bridgeport lovers contend with, including the hope that anything is possible in Oz.
Selected works are from the exhibit “Soon To Be Gone” that was produced and on view at City Lights Gallery in anticipation of the demolition of the defunct factory and the smokestacks. Artists include Dustin DeMilio, Steve Gerber, Rita Hannafin, Suzanne Kachmar, Dariusz Kanarek, Alexa Luft, MIA, John Maggi, Carol Mihelik, Kathie Powell, Diane Vulcano, Charlie Walsh.