Palace Theater is one of Waterbury's important landmarks. It was built in 1922 using a design of Thomas W. Lamb, who was one of the country's leading theater architects of the early 1900s. It was built by Italian native Silvester Z. Poli, who, at the height of his career owned 30 theaters; this was the largest number of theaters owned by a single person at the time. In terms of architecture, the exterior was designed in the Second Renaissance style, featuring elements such as Corinthian columns. The interior, however, is far more lavish; Federal, Egyptian, Classical, Arabic elements are combined to give the theater a highly embellished, gaudy appearance, which was typical for theaters of the time. Added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1983, the theater has been in almost continuous operation since it was built.
The Mattatuck Museum dates back to 1877 and offers exhibits based on its extensive collection of works by Connecticut artists. The museum offered a variety of exhibits and sponsored events in its early decades and acquired an exhibit hall in 1912. Highlights of the museum include the collection of ten thousand miniature works donated by the Waterbury Button Company and works by Alexander Calder, Frederic Church, and Anni Albers. The museum is also home to the Max R. Traurig Library which offers 1500 volumes and is open by appointment.
Built around 1866, the John Kendrick House is a historic home located in Waterbury's commercial district and served as the home of the Mattatuck Museum from 1912-1987. This Tuscan villa is a fine example of the Italianate architecture style and it is believed that prominent Connecticut architect Henry Austin designed the structure. From 1912-1987, it was the location of the Mattatuck Museum, which is now located just to the north. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1982. The house is situated next to a park called Waterbury Green, which was once an affluent residential neighborhood. The current status of the house is unclear but it can be admired from the sidewalk.
Known for its tall clock tower that reaches a height of 240 feet, the former 1909 Waterbury Union Station is a historic train station that is now the headquarters of the local newspaper the "Republican-American." While the building is no longer used for its original purpose, it is still a station on the Metro-North Railroad, the commuter railroad operated by the Metropolitan Transportation Authority of the state of New York. It was designed by the nationally known architecture firm McKim, Mead and White in the Renaissance Revival style. The tower is modeled after the famous tower in Sienna, Italy (the Torre del Mangia). The other notable part of the building is the waiting hall, whose facade features two-story tall arched openings. The station was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1978.
Silas Bronson Library and Library park sit atop Waterbury's original burial grounds. Some graves were moved to other cemeteries when the first library was built here in 1893-4. However, many graves and their headstones were simply buried deeper. The park was expanded to its current size c.1920. Approximately 3 dozen gravestones that had been stored in the library's basement are installed along a brick retaining wall facing Meadow St. The current library building was built in the 1960s on the same footprint as the original.
This Tour is a Walking Tour.
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Waterbury was established in the 17th century and remains one of the leading communities of Connecticut. This tour of landmark sites in downtown Waterbury offers a nice short walk in addition to the opportunity to learn about the history of the town.
