Stevens-Frisbie House: J. & E. Stevens Company Mechanical Banks, Toys

Editor's note: This story has been revised and a portion archived; linked here.

Details of a postcard that depicts the riverport Cromwell and the Connecticut River.


A most wonderful time of the year. (The heart of a community is people giving of themselves.)

Foundries, mills, quarries, shops. Objects and images evoke stories of humanity. A penny can be placed on the nose of this mechanical dog bank created in Cromwell, Connecticut.


Printed on the Cromwell Creative District cocoa packet, information and contact details, what a good idea.

Packet of cocoa, printed with information to take home, contact information for the Cromwell Creative District. Good idea and a delicious way to be remembered.

While stirring a freshly-made cup of hot cocoa prepared from a packet given out at the event by a member of the Cromwell Creative District (your kindness helped spark this story), reflected on how times change.

Toy stove, business card with mechanical bank dog outline, wonderful things on display.


In addition to the open House, the Cromwell Historical Society honors the season with a night of caroling on Dec. 30 (2019) when members of Juleps & Viragoes and friends will don 19th-century attire and sing carols by lantern light in the Historic Main Street area. Update: This event has been cancelled due to weather.

From a CHS page about their history: Founded in 1964 by a group of individuals interested in the history of Cromwell, Connecticut, and the surrounding area, CHS membership is open to anyone interested in the history of the town. Society members maintain the Stevens-Frisbie House and three outbuildings located at 395 Main St. The house serves as a museum of town history and a memorial to the Frisbie family, but also house a substantial collection of historical materials and artifacts. The Cromwell Junior Women’s Club is an organizational member of the CHS and also holds its meetings in the Stevens-Frisbie House. The American Legion Carlson Sjovall Post 105 houses its archives and equipment in the buildings. The society also allows other cultural organizations, including the New England Chamber Choir and the Cromwell Arts Alliance, to utilize its facilities for meetings. For information about a visit call (860) 635-0501 or visit www.cromwellhistory.org; on Facebook www.Facebook.com/cromwellhistory. For more about the Cromwell Creative Alliance, visit www.facebook.com/CromwellArts/.

A display of caps provokes memories.

Maritime toy ship. © Moo Dog Press

On a shelf, a toy ship.


Veranda of the Stevens-Frisbie House and the barn beyond. © Moo Dog Press

On the porch, barn visible in the background.

CHS members and guest organizations included Friends of the Cromwell Belden Library, Central Connecticut Women’s Club, Cromwell High School History Club. Young pianists performed music of the holiday. The neighborhood’s KCALLM Book Club decorated the Frisbie bedroom on the second floor with scenes from Clement Moore’s A Visit from Saint Nicholas.

Stevens-Frisbie House, home of Cromwell Historical Society.

Vintage image of what today is known as the Stevens-Frisbie House, headquarters of the Cromwell Historical Society. Image links to MBCA site for more images, detailed research and company history. The man is identified as Charles Frisbie, president of the J. & E. Stevens Company, photograph from around 1910.)

Evolution of a company and shaping the community in Cromwell.

Toy jacks. © Moo Dog Press

Box of jacks, exhibit detail.


Wooden box and toy.

Kate Ralph, daughter of a Civil War veteran…

One sheet, key to context for architecture, manufacturing, local history.


Note: For those curious about the name of the town and more history in The Town of Iron Toys: the J. & E. Stevens Company by Richard Franklin Donohue, a link.

Stories in stone, worked by hands and minds of people whose histories are met in nearly every collection — far and near in travels across a lifetime. Each object holds a story, is a touchstone for learning more.

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Editor's note: This story has been updated June 2023.

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