“Why Is Our Town Named Sherman?”

Dear Parents and Guardians,

We would like to inform you of an exciting local histor y program that the Sherman School is embarking on in col- laboration with the Sherman Historical Society. The program is called “Why Is Our Town Named Sherman?” and centers on our town’s namesake, Roger Sherman.

In 1743, Roger Sherman (1721 – 1793) brief ly resided in the northern tip of Sherman, then known as New Dilloway, where he worked as a cobbler and farmer before becoming a surveyor, merchant, landowner, publisher of almanacs, lawyer and eventually one of the most influential political figures in the founding of this country. He was the only person to sign all four of our country’s founding documents. He was also married twice and fathered 15 children. You might have seen “Roger Sherman and the New Dilloway Rabble” march in the Sherman Memorial Day Parade - did you recognize Roger Sherman? Or you might have heard about the Roger Sherman Cobbler Shop, which is being reconstructed on the field behind the Northrop House Museum in the center of town. These events are all part of the year-long celebration of our town’s namesake and most prominent citizen.

All Sherman School students will be involved through academics and the arts in celebrating “Why Is Our Town Named Sherman?” throughout the month of September.  Students entering Grades 5 – 8 in August are invited to participate in a special contest called “So You Think You Know Sherman!” over the summer. Working in teams or by themselves, students can enter a project of their choice dealing with some aspect of the life and work of Roger Sherman under one of three categories: Social Studies & Geography, Math & Science and Language Arts. They are encouraged to be creative and original using modern technology or old-fashioned pen and paper. Winners will be announced at the Roger Sherman Cobbler Shop Dedication on Sunday, October 4. See the attached Contest Guidelines and Project Submission Form for details.

This is a great opportunity for the students to learn about their hometown and to educate the community about one of the greatest self-made men in American history, who often has been called the “Forgotten Founding Fa- ther.”  Students are welcome to use the Roger Sherman Exhibition, which opens on June 13 at Northrop House Museum, as a resource and research center. Museum hours are the second Saturday/Sunday, 1 – 4 p.m. in July and August or by appointment (354-3083). We look for ward to a hearing a resounding “YES!” from the students when asked on the first day of school...

“ So You Think You Know Sherman?”

The Sherman Historical Society, Sherman CT 860-354-3083
shermanhistorical@sbcglobal.net

The Society is grateful to SNET of Connecticut for a grant to design this web site and to bring the Sherman Historical Society on-line.

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