[Congressional Record Volume 160, Number 141 (Tuesday, November 18, 2014)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1618]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  HONORING THE TOWN OF GUILFORD, CONNECTICUT AS THEY CELEBRATE THEIR 
                           375TH ANNIVERSARY

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. ROSA L. DeLAURO

                             of connecticut

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, November 18, 2014

  Ms. DeLAURO. Mr. Speaker, it gives me great pleasure to rise today to 
join the community of Guilford, Connecticut as they mark the 375th 
Anniversary of the town's founding--a remarkable milestone for this 
quintessential New England town.
  Founded in May 1639 by a band of puritans seeking religious freedom 
in the New World, the land that would become the Town of Guilford, 
Connecticut was purchased from local Native Americans, who were 
represented by the squaw sachem, or female chief, Shaumpishih. First 
established as the plantation of Menuncatuck, the town that would later 
be known as Guilford, like most 17th century New England towns, was 
organized around a common, or green--the Town Green remains a center of 
community life today. The first houses were small huts with thatched 
roofs, wooden walls, and dirt floors. Unlike other villages, Guilford 
had no protective palisade fence surrounding the community. Instead 
they built four large stone houses for the leaders of the plantation, 
strategically located and used for shelter during times of danger. In 
the later years of the 17th century, Guilford became part of the New 
Haven Colony and then the Connecticut Colony. In fact, Guilford's 
William Leete was one of the first governors of these colonies.
  By the 18th century, the town had become a thriving coastal community 
with agriculture and the sea supporting the economy. The medieval style 
huts were replaced by homes of the colonial style, including the Hyland 
House (1660), the Henry Whitfield House (1639), Thomas Griswold House 
(1774) and the Dudley Farm (1840) all of which survive today and house 
museums showcasing Guilford's rich history. In the 19th century, with 
an expanding shipbuilding and maritime trade and with the coming of the 
railroad, industries such as foundries, canneries, shoe shops, and 
carriage makers evolved. Quarries opened and supplied local granite to 
the world, including blocks for the base of the Statue of Liberty.
  By the end of the 19th and into the 20th century, Guilford became a 
summer destination for Victorian vacationers from near and far. Today, 
Guilford's once-small population has risen to a year-round community of 
more than 22,000 people. Guilford has a small-town, historic, charming 
atmosphere which is highlighted by its rustic character and 
individuality. This beautiful town sits on the waterfront of the Long 
Island Sound and extends north to include expansive land and offers a 
public park, two beaches, a historic downtown shopping district that 
includes restaurants, art galleries, nature trails, and boating. Annual 
events like the Tree Lighting, Citizens Day Parade, and the Guilford 
Agricultural Fair strengthen the bonds of this tight-knit community--
Guilford truly has something for everyone.
  It has been my honor to serve as the U.S. Representative for Guilford 
for the last twenty-four years and I am so proud to have this 
opportunity to extend my heartfelt congratulations to every member of 
this special community as they celebrate their 375th Anniversary. As 
the community continues to grow, it will do so while maintaining its 
unique character and charm--quintessentially New England. Happy 
Anniversary!

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