Joseph J. Crisco, Jr.

Crisco Hails State Grant for Status Report on Derby’s Smith-Curtiss House

State Senator Joseph J. Crisco, Jr. (D-Woodbridge) today announced an imminent state grant to underwrite a ‘conditions assessment’ of the Smith-Curtis House in Derby. The grant was awarded by the Connecticut Trust for Historic Preservation through its Historic Preservation Technical Assistance Grants program.

Senator Crisco said the successful grant application was prepared and submitted by the Friends of Connecticut State Parks; the grant program is funded by the General Assembly through the Connecticut Humanities Council and the Commission on Culture and Tourism.

“Derby’s Smith-Curtis House is one of the city’s jewels and represents a window through which Connecticut’s rich history can still be viewed,” Senator Crisco said. “This state grant will help preservationists determine how well the structure is holding up over time and prioritize the repairs and restoration it may require.”

Senator Crisco said the total value of the grant is $19,620 but that a portion of it will also be used to conduct a comparable conditions assessment of the historic Ostrom Enders House in Waterford.

“One of Connecticut’s greatest assets is its place in American history and the respect its residents have traditionally shown for the rich heritage and legacy we share,” Senator Crisco said. “It’s important to maintain the few remaining touchstones to that history so future generations will learn to appreciate the achievement, accomplishment, and excellence that have characterized our state for all these hundreds of years.”

Senator Crisco is serving his 9th term in the General Assembly. He is presently the Senate chair of the legislature’s Insurance and Real Estate Committee, Senate chair of the Internship Committee, and vice-chair of the Banking Committee and Commerce Committee. He serves as a member of the Legislative Management Committee as well.