Dave Pelland - "The Fitch Home for Soldiers - First Vets Home in the Nation"

Dur ing the Civil War, Darien businessman and philanthropist Benjamin Fitch funded the first home and medical facility dedicated to veterans, and the property is still providing public housing to the community. The Fitch Home for Soldiers and Their Orphans opened in 1864 to serve Civil War veterans and orphans, and offered a community for veterans of several wars until just before World War II.Dave Pelland will describe the history of the Fitch Home, and how the town has used the site during the many years since the Civil War ended.