Our Story

Historic Preservation in Norwalk

The current Norwalk Preservation Trust grew out of the work of the Norwalk Green Historic Alliance, a grass roots group organized in 2001. As the NGHA, we mobilized the community to protect the Grumman-St. John House at 93 East Avenue, an important 18th-century home in danger of being demolished for the expansion of a hotel. We collected over 1100 petition signatures, received in-depth media coverage from three newspapers and one TV station, brought such a large number of people to Zoning Commission hearings that the hearings needed to be extended to three sessions, and raised awareness of historic preservation in Norwalk in general.

The level of interest in our efforts and public support for them was so encouraging that it called for the formation of a permanent preservation group in Norwalk. There had been no such organization in Norwalk since the disbanding of the original Norwalk Preservation Trust more than 25 years ago. That organization was the driving force behind Historic South Norwalk and the Norwalk Green Historic District, as well as other preservation achievements in the city. Officially launched on March 2, 2003, with Tod Bryant, Marija Bryant, Frank DeMilo, Lynn Friedman, Bill Kraus, and Gail Wall as founding members, today's Norwalk Preservation Trust builds on that legacy. In May 2007, we honored the earlier group and others involved in the preservation and development of the SoNo district with the first annual Valle Weber Fay Preservation Leadership Awards, named for the founder and President of the original NPT.

In March 2004, we became a public charity with 501(c)(3) status, making your membership and donations tax-deductible.

Many of our officers and board members have been individually active in historic-preservation efforts for years. We have also built networks of professionals who can provide advice and assistance, as needed, as we continue to serve as advocates and a central resource for property owners and the City to accomplish more of the preservation that is so important to Norwalk.

The current President of the Norwalk Preservation Trust is Tod Bryant. The Vice President is Lee Levey, with Frank DeMilo seving as Treasurer and Marija Bryant as Secretary. The current Board of Directors is comprised of Georgette Blau, Carol Ann Falasca, Charles Harris, David R. McCarthy, Wendye Pardue, and Eric Rasmussen.