From a passing car it looks like just another old, decrepit house. There’s a sign out front, but it’s faded. Maybe it was something important at one time.
In fact, it is a piece of music history. This old house is the birthplace of renowned composer Charles Edward Ives. Yes, the prize winning Father of Modern American Music was born right here in Danbury in 1874. His birthplace home has been moved around the city a few times over the years, but since the 1970s it’s sat on Mountainville Ave. behind what is now Rogers Park Middle School.
The house has also been in a state of disrepair for many years. Next year that will hopefully begin to change. The move is on to make the Charles Ives Birthplace whole again. The City of Danbury has committed to finance Phase 1 of the rehabilitation of the exterior of the house. Additionally, The Danbury Museum & Historical Society currently is applying for Historic Resources Fund monies available through the State of Connecticut to match Danbury's monetary contribution. They hope to begin the project in April 2014.
We’ve walked around the grounds but have never been able to step inside this piece of history. Now that would be kind of cool.
Want to help support this Rebirth of the Charles Ives Birthplace? Visit the Danbury Museum and Historical Society located on Main Street or go online to www.danburymuseum.org.Labels: danbury, history, museun
