Daniel Cruson, Neighbor

Daniel Cruson has conducted several archaeological investigations in Easton, Redding and Newtown in an attempt to learn more about the lifestyles of their past citizens, both historic and prehistoric. His attempts to acquire more information about the early history and culture of central Fairfield County has led him to investigate deeply the subjects of rural slavery, vintage photography, early Connecticut architecture, colonial and post-colonial road building, and early cemeteries and their grave markers.

Mr. Cruson is active in a number of organizations dedicated to the research and preservation of local history.  He has been a member of the historical society in Newtown where he lives, for 30 years, having served as its president for 5 years in the early 1990&#39;s.  He was also a charter member of the Easton Historical Society and served a number of years on its board of trustees and as vice president.  In addition, Mr. Cruson is active with the The Heritage Preservation Trust of Newtown, Society of American Archeology, and The Archaeological Society of Connecticut for which he is currently serving as president<b>.</b> He is also the Town Historian for Newtown and served as the Chairman of the Newtown Tercentennial Commission in 2005.

In a continuing attempt to disseminate information on the early history and culture of central Fairfield County, Mr. Cruson has lectured, conducted adult seminars, in addition to conducting his courses in local history for the High School students of Easton and Redding.  He has published several books including <b>The Prehistory of Fairfield County, Newtown&#39;s Slaves: A Case Study in Early Connecticut Rural Black History, </b>and <b>Newtown</b> and <b>Redding and Easton</b> in the <b>Images of America </b>series, as well as<b> Newtown: 1900-1960</b> in the same <b>Images of America</b> series.  Most recently he has published <b>A Mosaic of Newtown History</b>, a collection of his essays, and the history of <b>The Newtown Savings Bank</b>, as part of the commemoration of that institution&#39; 150^th anniversary. He recently published, <b>The Slaves of Central Fairfield County</b>, and his latest book, <b>Stratford West Woods and Everett Rd: The History of an Easton Community,</b> has just appeared in print.