$10,000 grant from
Jewett City Savings Bank
will preserve Griswold’s history

Future generations will have a recorded history of the town of Griswold, Connecticut in the 20th century, thanks to a recent $10,000 grant from Jewett City Savings Bank that will help publish and market the work by local authors.

Announcement of the special grant was made by Reino Hortstmeyer, our president and chief executive officer of the Bank, who noted that the most-current history of Griswold, written by Daniel L. Phillips, ends with the 1800’s.

The 320-page book is a major work by local residents. Primary author Erwin Goldstein has covered Griswold and nearby communities as a reporter for the Norwich Bulletin since 1970. His gardening column appears in the Bulletin, the Hartford Courant, and the Meriden Record Journal.

Goldstein’s avid interest in history is shared by co-author Ted Cyr, who served for many years as head of the New London County Juvenile System, and is president of the Southeast Connecticut Musician’s Union.

Jacqueline Gelinas and Maria Hileman are the book’s co-editors. Gelinas is a former editor of technical publications, and taught English for many years at St. Bernard High School and also at several Connecticut colleges. Maria Hileman covered Griswold as a reporter for the Norwich Bulletin, and has been an assistant managing editor at the New London Day for many years.

Jewett City Savings Bank’s grant will cover the cost of printing 750 hardcover copies of the book. Profits from sales will go to the Griswold Historical Society and be used to promote future projects.

"It is organizations like yours that help us keep history alive and well in the minds and hearts of the people of Griswold and Jewett City," said Mary R. Deveau, president/librarian-curator of the Griswold Historical Society about the Bank’s gift.