It is an historic moment for the New Canaan Historical Society with the retirement of Janet Lindstrom. Between her years as a volunteer, her time on the Board of Governors, her service as president of the Board, and her employment as executive director, she has been synonymous with the Historical Society for four decades. In fact, the primary meeting space in the Town House — the room where the Advertiser holds its weekly Coffees and where members hold their annual meeting — is named for her.
So it was fitting that last Thursday, more than 120 friends and members of the Historical Society turned out at the Country Club of New Canaan to celebrate Janet, to honor her work and to wish her well in retirement. On the walls hung vellum banners of memorable moments in Janet’s career. Gorgeous arrangements of white flowers adorned the main ballroom. Jazz musicians Nat Reeves on bass and Mark Templeton on piano played Janet’s favorite song, Dave Brubek’s Take Five. With speeches by Mark Markiewicz, president of the Historical Society, renowned architect and Town commissioner Lazlo Papp, and First Selectman Rob Mallozzi, and a proclamation issued from Governor Dannel Malloy, the accolades flowed. And that praise is richly deserved.
Born in Erie, Penn., Janet received her Bachelor of Science from Penn State and her Masters from Columbia University Teachers’ College. She moved to New Canaan and began teaching at Foxglove School in New Canaan in 1958. She married the architect Gary Lindstrom, and raised their two daughters, Jennifer and Maren, in a mid-century modern house designed by him.
Immersed in community
Despite her time commitments with work and family, Janet immersed herself in volunteering for her new community. She served as a member of the New Canaan Community Council (1971-1975), a member of the Auerbach Regional Planning Committee (1971-1976), a board member of New Canaan Day Care (1986 to the present), of DOVIA, where she served as Secretary, then vice-president and then president (1990-1998), and of the Chamber of Commerce (1997-1999), where she then served as Secretary (2000-2005). She was a member of the New Canaan Committee for WPA Art (1995-1999). At New Canaan High School, she served as the president of the Parent-Faculty Association. And she was an active member of the American Association of University Women serving as president of the New Canaan branch (1971-1973) and chairman of the Nominating Committee for the Connecticut state branch (1973-1977).
Mid-century modern
It was through her marriage, and the sensibility she shared with her husband, that she developed a deep appreciation for mid-century modern architecture and design, and the work of Philip Johnson, Landis Gores, Eliot Noyes, John Johansen, and Jens Risom, among others.
Many years later, in 2006, Janet’s passion for mid-century modern architecture manifested itself through her commitment to helping architect Bill Earls restore and preserve the Gores Pavilion, the “pool house” that was owned by John Irwin and Jane Watson in what is now Irwin Park.
In a recent talk given by Earls on the lengthy process, he described Janet’s tenacity and persistence in negotiations with the Town of New Canaan, in raising the necessary funds, and in remaining committed to restoring the pavilion to its former glory.
Lindstrom also translated her love of architecture into developing the Modern House Day Tour, a biennial fundraiser for the New Canaan Historical Society. As many have said about her, she deserves much of the credit for New Canaan’s deep appreciation for its mid-century modern homes, the interest in the work of the Harvard Five architects, and the furniture design of Jens Risom. She is truly New Canaan’s “grande dame” of this aesthetic.
Preserving history
But mid-century modern architecture was not Janet’s only interest. “She was part of a very enthusiastic group that believed in preserving the history and records of New Canaan,” describes Laurie McGrath, a New Canaan resident who has been a docent at the Historical Society for 13 years. “She was the core spirit behind the establishment of a preservation museum in New Canaan.”
Janet’s involvement with the Historical Society began in the 1970s, when she joined as a volunteer. She developed and co-chaired a Colonial Festival, became the director of community research, helping to inform the community about the Historical Society and its education programs, and then joined the Board of Governors in 1980. She was its president from 1983-1985. When the Historical Society needed a director, Janet was the natural choice. It became her life’s work.
The multifaceted Historical Society suited Lindstrom, who was a woman of many talents. She oversaw the educational programs, and welcomed hundreds of children each year into the hearth and craft room of the Hanford-Silliman House, the Tool Museum and the Rock School to learn of colonial life in New Canaan. Donning period costume — a long dress, apron and bonnet — she regaled visitors with the process of growing, harvesting and weaving flax, the method of home-building by newly-arriving settlers, or the manner and modes of discipline used by school teachers in the 1800s.
Janet helped to build, archive and exhibit what is now the second largest costume collection in the state of Connecticut (after the Connecticut Historical Society.) Confident in her curatorial skills, she mounted creative exhibits such as Winter’s Tale, Little Red Riding Hood, New Canaan at Play; Nineties Women of Leisure – 1890s, and Curves and Contours. These exhibitions drew reviews from the New York Times and visitors from all over the tri-state area.
Nancy Stass, a member of the Costume Collection Committee, recounts working with Janet on these shows. “Dressing a mannequin seems relatively simple, but Janet taught me it is a process of exacting steps. With her direction, it has been a real learning experience to work with the Society’s extensive costume collection to tell a story about the past.”
Lindstrom instituted annual traditions such as the Holiday Open House, the Valentine’s Tea, and the famous Ice Cream Social. These events, open to members and non-members alike, have become community celebrations, reminders of the joy of simple living and shared friendships. And whether she was supervising the delivery of cakes by the National Charity League New Canaan and Canaan Parish Chapters, or arranging geraniums on the tables under the tent, she was single-minded in her vision to share the rich sense of history with the town she loves.
Janet started the ‘plaquing program’ to recognize historic homes and oversaw the construction of a climate-controlled vault to safeguard the most rare and important records, documents, textiles, china, and art. Always wanting to educate, she brought in speakers to discuss everything from restoration of antique homes to military history, as well as historical re-enactors and craft artisans.
For the 200th anniversary of the Town of New Canaan, Janet served as a contributing editor for the Historical Society’s publication of New Canaan: Texture of a Community, a book she described as “a broad overview of the 50 years since 1950 by authors well versed in the rich heritage of New Canaan.” Its chapters cover everything from the spiritual aspects of, and business development in, the town to the making of the Ice Storm, the controversial depiction of New Canaan life based on the novel by Rick Moody.
Energizing
“Working with Janet was an energizing experience,” says Susan Bishop, who served on the Board of the Historical Society for fifteen years. “I was awed by her creativity and professionalism as she addressed the Historical Society’s ever changing exhibits, programs, and challenging fiscal concerns. It was my great pleasure to be part of the Historical Society’s board while Janet was at the helm as executive director.”
Janet has received many awards for her work, including the 2004 New Canaan AAUW Woman of the year, and the 2017 Janet Jainschigg Award for Preservation Professionals from the Connecticut Trust for Historic Preservation.
During her time as director, she has lived the Historical Society’s mission: “To bring together and arrange the historical events of the town of new Canaan, the genealogies of the families who have lived in town … to form a library and to collect relics and curiosities, to form a museum.”
As she moves on to new work, and perhaps a bit of rest, she can know that she has built a library, a museum and a place of learning, an Historical Society filled with treasures, photographs, and memorabilia, and a campus of buildings rich in history and growing in energy.
She will continue to serve as chair of the Historic District Commission.
Janet Lindstrom listens as First Selectman Rob Mallozzi proclaims June 22 Janet Lindstrom Day in New Canaan. — Valerie Stryker photos
Janet Lindstrom in front of a photo display of the years of her work in New Canaan. — Valerie Stryker photo
After Laszlo Papp commended Janet Lindstrom during the June 22 retirement party the honoree returned the favor and said it was only because of the work of many people in New Canaan, including Papp, that she was successful.
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