Book talk on ‘Chester: Lost, Found, Remembered’ coming early February

CHESTER — Town natives, brothers Rob and Tom Miceli, have written a new book of Chester history, consisting of stories and photos, titled “Chester: Lost, Found, Remembered.” The 97-page-long book, with about 100 historical photos, is published by the Chester Historical Society.

“The photographs and topics were chosen with particular care to reveal images and ways of life that were familiar to our forebears, but are all but forgotten today,” according to the preface.

The book includes photos, such as a group of young men — members of a 1920s Yale football team — taken by some of Chester’s avid hunters on a raccoon hunting party. There’s a photo of the construction of Route 9, as well as a World War II observation post on Goose Hill Road.

On Feb. 3 at 4 p.m. at the Chester Meetinghouse on the Town Green, the Chester Historical Society is hosting a free program during which brothers will show some of the photos from their book and share memories. It will be available for purchase and for signing for $20 (society members get a 10-percent discount).

Readers will learn about some of the early uses of the building at 4 Water St., which ponds were used for ice harvesting, and where the ice was stored during the summer, as well as how the girls’ high school basketball team got their uniforms.

The authors have an overabundance of stories and memories, and historical Chester photos as material for writing their book.

Later this month, it can be purchased at the Town Clerk’s office in Chester Town Hall, at the Lark store in Chester Center, or by contacting the Chester Historical Society at chestercthistoricalsociety@gmail.com.