Cromwell celebrates: state approves cultural district application

Photos by Mark Jahne

by Mark Jahne

Editor

A select few towns in Connecticut have state-approved cultural districts. Cromwell recently became one of them.

It’s the only one of the 16 municipalities to have two distinct, but connected sections of town declared part of one district. Add that to the list of things that make Cromwell unique.

An official celebration was held the afternoon of June 23 at Woody’s Coffee & Ice Cream, located within the new district at 391 Main St. Lt. Gov. Susan Bysiewicz made the formal presentation.

“There is so much to do here,” the lieutenant governor said. “Our cultural districts are a significant driver for culture and tourism, but also economic development.”

They tend to include small businesses and that is where the growth has occurred elsewhere and is expected to occur here.

Lt. Gov. Susan Bysiewicz speaks at a celebration marking Cromwell’s acceptance into the state’s cultural district program. Standing at right are Mayor James Demetrides and state Sen. Matt Lesser. Seated in front is Rosemary Matus, co-chairperson of the Cromwell Cultural District Commission.

“This is a fantastic achievement,” Bysiewicz said.

“We are honored that Cromwell has been recognized by the state as an official cultural district,” Rosemary Matus said. “We look forward to welcoming visitors to enjoy all that Cromwell has to offer.”

Matus and Ann Grasso are co-chairpersons of the Cromwell Cultural District Commission. This commission and town government at large have been working toward this day for three years.

She explained that the official boundaries of the district are Route 9 north to Golf Club Road (the entrance to TPC River Highlands), east to the Connecticut River and west through Pierson Park.

“The cultural district here in Cromwell is so big,” Elizabeth Shapiro said.

She is the director of arts, preservation and museums working with the state Department of Economic and Community Development. She added that the riverfront access is a significant attraction and there are a lot of hidden gems to discover within the new district.

“Cromwell embodies a really committed group of people,” Shapiro said.

The new cultural district includes the Main Street business district, riverfront, Pierson Park and surrounding area.

Mayor James Demetriades said he looks forward to sharing all the wonderful aspects of this town with visitors from other communities.

“Our cultural district is home to dozens of small businesses” and features more access to the river than any city or town north of here. “There’s something for everyone here,” he added.

“It has a real sense of place, a real community,” state Sen. Matt Lesser said.

He looks forward to seeing it grow and thrive. State financial support will benefit that effort.

“We wanted to build a cultural district rooted in inclusivity. Cultural vibrancy can spark economic development,” Eric Dillner said.

He is the chief executive officer of the Shoreline Arts Alliance based in Madison. Dillner emphasized that the arts bring people together.

Tony Palmieri, the owner of Tony’s Flour Shop, became emotional when he spoke about how much the town has supported him and how the DECD enabled him to move up the street to a larger location from his original tiny spot in the central business district.

He is thrilled to be in the district and thanked the state for approving the town’s application.

“This particular cultural district needed to extend beyond a walking district,” Palmieri said. CL