Overlook Cottage Park Club (OCPC)

Profile of the
​Cottage Park Neighborhood

1. Description of the Overlook-Cottage Park Club​​
   1. Although this, and many other neighborhood associations and neighborhood community clubs have existed in this city for, in some cases, over 100 years, and although none of them have ever been neighborhood housing associations, they have been erroneously listed as such on the official City of Waterbury website as such.  To be clear, neighborhood housing associations are very much different from condo associations, and both of those are very different from organizations such as Neighborhood Housing Services of Waterbury (NHSW) and Loyola Development Corporation, and all of those are vastly different from any of Waterbury's neighborhood associations and neighborhood community clubs.  The function, purpose, and manifestation of each of these types of organizations is significantly different, and none should be confused with the other.
2. ​Management
   1. ​President
      1. Conrad Carlsrud, 1946
         
      2. ​Harold Hadley
      3. Lee Dowd, 1934
   2. Vice-President
   3. Recording Secretary
   4. Correspondence Secretary
   5. Treasurer
   6. Deputy Treasurer
   7. Sargeant-at-Arms
   8. Board of Directors
   9. Board of Trustees
   10. Board of Advisors
   11. Committees
3. History of the Overlook-Cottage Park Club
   1. ​Existed since at least 1940
4. ​​Other Names for the Overlook-Cottage Park Club 
5. Purpose of the Overlook-Cottage Park Club
6. Vision
7. Mission
8. By Laws
9. Partnerships
10. Events of the Overlook-Cottage Park Club​
    1. ​Independence Day Celebration, Tuesday, July 4th, 1933
    2. Advocated for the construction of a neighborhood theater on the corner of Roseland Avenue and Earl Street; 1946 

Cottage Park Neighborhood

The above is an enhanced Google map.  The mustard areas, filled with Paint, represent the Cottage Park neighborhood.  This neighborhood is long-known as part of the Columbia section of Waterville.  Along with Cottage Park, Columbia also includes The Pines, Highland Park, Norwood Heights, and Overlook.  

History of the Overlook Cottage Place Club

The Historic Overlook Cottage Park Club is a community center located in the Cottage Park neighborhood of Waterbury, CT. Established in 1922, the Club has been an important gathering place for residents of the neighborhood for nearly a century.

The Cottage Park neighborhood, located in the western part of Waterbury, was originally a rural area consisting of farms and fields. As the city grew and expanded in the early 20th century, the neighborhood became a popular place for working-class families to settle. The Historic Overlook Cottage Park Club was established to provide a space for these families to come together and build a sense of community.

Over the years, the Club has hosted a variety of events and activities, from dances and socials to educational classes and community meetings. The Club's library, which was established in the 1930s, has been a valuable resource for residents, offering books, magazines, and newspapers on a variety of subjects.

The Historic Overlook Cottage Park Club has also played an important role in the history of Waterbury. During the mid-20th century, the Club was a gathering place for community members who were working for civil rights and social justice. In the 1960s, the Club hosted meetings and events for local activists, including Martin
Luther King Jr.

Today, the Historic Overlook Cottage Park Club continues to serve as a vital community resource. The Club hosts a variety of events throughout the year, including holiday parties, community meetings, and educational programs. The Club's beautiful ballroom, which features a hardwood dance floor and ornate chandeliers, is a popular venue for weddings, parties, and other special events.

Despite the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Historic Overlook Cottage Park Club has continued to find ways to serve the community. In 2020, the Club hosted a drive-in movie series, offering a safe and socially distanced way for families to enjoy movies together. The Club has also offered virtual programming, including online fitness classes and cooking demonstrations.

​The Historic Overlook Cottage Park Club is more than just a building. It is a symbol of community, resilience, and hope. For nearly a century, the Club has been a place where people can come together to celebrate their shared history and culture, build connections with one another, and work towards a brighter future for themselves and their families. As Waterbury continues to evolve and change, the Historic Overlook Cottage Park Club will remain a vital part of the city's history and identity.

"Community Building and Housing Rehabilitation: Cottage Place Gardens, Waterbury, Connecticut." National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior, 2002.

This source provides a historical overview of the Cottage Park neighborhood and the Cottage Place Gardens housing project, which was built adjacent to the Historic Overlook Cottage Park Club. The section on the Club provides a brief history and mentions the establishment date of 1922.