Portals to the Past

Present-day photo credit: Ian Christmann.

Historic photos reveal community's waterfront heritage

The Quinnipiac River in New Haven was once home to a thriving oyster industry and its legacy remains in the historic charm and character of the Fair Haven community, thanks to the preservation efforts of residents, non-profit organizations, and city and state agencies. The homes, buildings, streets sidewalks, bridges and, most prominently, the river itself, convey the community's rich heritage.

This history is explored in a photographic series on thequinnipiacriver.com, the website for The Quinnipiac River Fund. The series pairs historic with present-day photos, and features the iconic Grand Avenue Bridge, which is closing for a two-year restoration project. The Quinnipiac River Fund is a fund at The Community Foundation with a mission of improving the health of the Quinnipiac River and its surrounding watersheds.