Notes from the Old Noank Jail
Groton Public Library – the Streeter History Room
by Ed Johnson
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A large crowd attended the Groton Public Library on March 22. at a formal ribbon cutting ceremony for the James Streeter History Room in honor of his donation of an extensive collection of historical material for Groton. About 200 people and seven speakers were present, including Library Director Betty Ann Reiter, Town Manager Mark Oefinger, State Librarian Kendall Wiggin, CT State Representative Joseph de la Cruz, Town Mayor Bruce Flax, City Mayor Marian Galbraith and Town Historian Jim Streeter, with a special presentation by Mr. Rob Zuliani. On display was an original copy of the 1705 State Legislator document approving Groton’s legal separation from New London to become its own Town.
During his speech, Mr. Streeter expressed gratefulness to everyone for the honor of the History Room being named after him. He also expressed gratitude to his wife, Irma, for her patience and support for putting up with his historical material (“your stuff”) taking over large portions of their house, although she actually did develop an interest in Groton’s history.
Jim Streeter started gathering historical materials 48 years ago by collecting different Groton district and Sub Base postcards. He donated the 1600 card collection to the Groton Historical Society where it is maintained at Avery-Copp House Museum. By the early 1980’s, Jim was bitten by the “collecting bug” and acquired “everything and anything” relating to Groton history. This included books, directories, maps, deeds, pamphlets, calendars, china, silverware, pins, coins, milk and medicine bottles. As noted, Jim’s “stuff” took up considerable space in the Streeter home, including several rooms, part of a garage plus his own active office,…normally used for his retirement business as a forensic evidence examiner. But Jim’s overall philosophy was that “the History of Groton, whether it be written, verbal or in graphic form, does not belong to one individual…it belongs to, and must be shared with, everyone.”
Therefore, in November 2014, Jim met with Groton Library Director Bette Ann Reiter and Town Manager Mark Oefinger. An agreement was reached to relinquish Jim’s collection to the Library where it could be properly cataloged and stored. Thereafter, Director Reiter and her staff, including Historian Michael Spellmon, planned to increase the size of the existing History room while including other projects such as an upgrade to the ITT/Computer Community section with repairs to ceilings, floors and the parking lot. Financing included a CT State matching grant, furniture donations from Pfizer and a major $100 K fund raising effort by the Library’s “Circle of Friends.” Those efforts were successful.
Jim has a distinguished career in Groton, including his education in local schools. Following military service in the US Army, he became a Groton City Police Officer for several years which led to a career in forensics, where he is still active today. Politically, Jim served on the RTM for 12 years and was a Councilor and Deputy Mayor in the City of Groton. He was an elected Councilor for the Town of Groton from 2005 – 2013 and appointed to serve as Town Mayor from 2009 – 2011. In 2010, he succeeded his local history mentor, Carol Kimball to become Town Historian. He has authored/co-authored five books on Groton History and was a major contributor for 2 books published by the New London DAY. He authored weekly Groton Historical articles for the Groton Times for 5 years, and is active in providing lectures with visual presentations on Groton History throughout New London County.
Groton is fortunate to have such a generous, energetic resource as Mr. James L. Streeter and the History room at the Groton Public Library is a fitting tribute for all of his efforts.
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