Tag Archive: History and Heritage

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Cooking Up a Legacy: Claire’s Corner Copia Turns 50

August 27, 2025

For five decades, Claire’s Corner Copia has been more than a cafe.  It’s been New Haven’s cozy kitchen table, serving fresh flavors, comfort food, and a whole lot of love. This fall, founder Claire Criscuolo is celebrating her golden anniversary the way she knows best: with a brand-new cookbook full of beloved recipes and stories from her landmark corner café. From Nurse to Neighborhood Icon Claire didn’t set out to run a restaurant. A registered nurse turned restaurateur, she followed her heart (and her taste buds) into a new path. “Love has always guided me,” she says. “I wanted to... View Article

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Zeppole Season Hits Wooster Square! A Sweet Slice of History

March 16, 2025

Forget the winter blues because springtime in New Haven means one thing: zeppole! Those glorious fried dough puffs of deliciousness, officially known as Zeppole di San Giuseppe, are back, and we’re here to tell you where to find the best in town. Here’s a snapshot of the history of the celebratory pastry. Zeppole are traditionally made to celebrate the Feast of St. Joseph (San Giuseppe), on March 19th. Legend has it that when St. Joseph had to flee to Egypt with the Holy Family, he worked as a carpenter and sold fritters to support them. Later, in medieval Sicily, a... View Article

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Creativity, Style & Flavor—Meet the Women Behind Downtown’s Favorites

February 27, 2025

March is Women’s History Month, and we’re shining a spotlight on three incredible women shaping Downtown New Haven with their passion and creativity! Claire Criscuolo – A Culinary Icon For nearly 50 years, Claire’s Corner Copia has been a go-to spot for fresh, sustainable, and flavor-packed vegetarian-kosher dishes—all made from scratch with love. Whether you’re in the mood for a hearty breakfast, a satisfying lunch, a cozy dinner, or a sweet treat, Claire’s has something delicious waiting for you. Recreate Claire’s signature salad dressing at home, get the recipe on our blog here. → Kimberly Pedrick – A Visionary in Style & Design... View Article

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Luck of the Irish St. Paddy’s Day [2025]

February 27, 2025

Each March for the past 183 years, Downtown transforms into a vibrant celebration of Irish pride for the Greater New Haven St. Patrick’s Day Parade. As Connecticut’s largest single-day spectator event, this beloved tradition has been drawing crowds since 1842. On Sunday, March 16, the St. Paddy’s Day parade returns with marching bands, festive floats, and high-energy Irish step dancers to the streets of downtown —along with plenty of Guinness [inside the pubs]  to keep the celebrations going. Step-off time is 1:30 pm.  With downtown buzzing from morning to night, this is one event you won’t want to miss.  Want... View Article

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Sea of Green, the History of New Haven’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade

February 20, 2025

New Haven, the Emerald City at the end of the rainbow. Here, holidays and festivals are embraced with fervor, and no celebration shines quite as brightly as St. Patrick’s Day. For over 180 years, we’ve been putting the march in March with the annual Greater New Haven St. Patrick’s Day Parade. As the largest single-day spectator event in Connecticut, it draws over 300,000 residents and visitors who gather to share festive cheer and the luck of the Irish. Tracing its roots back to 17th-century Ireland, the tradition of St. Paddy’s Day parades began as acts of defiance, with “religious protests”... View Article

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Black History Month in New Haven [Feb. 2025]

February 1, 2025

February marks the return of Black History Month. New Haven is unique in this narrative, with its deep connections to the fight for freedom, justice, and equality. From the Amistad story to local trailblazers like William Lanson and the resources at the New Haven Museum, the city offers a meaningful lens through which we can reflect on our city’s Black history. Read more on the blog. 

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Black History Month Reflecting on New Haven’s History

January 28, 2025

As Black History Month comes around each February, communities across the nation honor Black Americans’ stories, achievements, and cultural contributions throughout history. New Haven, holds a unique place in this narrative, with its deep connections to the fight for freedom, justice, and equality. From the Amistad story to local trailblazers like William Lanson and the resources at the New Haven Museum, this city offers a meaningful lens through which we can reflect on Black history. The Amistad Legacy: A Fight for Freedom New Haven was pivotal in the Amistad case, one of the most significant events in the abolitionist movement.... View Article

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Halloween in New Haven: What to Do and Where to Get Spooky

September 25, 2024

If you’re hunting for the best things to do in New Haven this Halloween, you’ve come to the right place. To celebrate the spooky season, the city is filled with haunted happenings. From paranormal ghost tours on hallowed grounds to mysterious ancient cemeteries, here’s the ultimate guide to where to get spooked in New Haven this Halloween. New Haven Ghost Tours Join ‘Ghosts of New Haven’ for an evening walking tour with an expert guide who shares haunting tales while visiting some of the spookiest sites throughout the city. While visiting spooky sites such as the Skull and Bones Society,... View Article

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The Legacy of the Atlantic Oyster, The Pearl of New Haven

June 26, 2024

New Haven is known for many things. We’re the Pizza Capital of the nation, the birthplace of the hamburger sandwich, the home of the Bulldog, and a hub for acolytes of the Atlantic Oyster. Long before we put meat between buns and pies in pizza ovens, our city’s food culture centered around something entirely different – and best enjoyed raw.  Dating back to 1638, the Atlantic Oyster was a staple in the New England diet, with the hard-shelled bivalve playing an integral role in the fledgling Quinnipiac colony. In fact, shallow, pristine beds along the Long Island Sound were so... View Article

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Greater New Haven St. Patrick’s Day Parade [2024]

February 28, 2024

Join us downtown on March 10 for the 182nd Greater New Haven St. Patrick’s Day Parade, the largest FREE single-day spectator event in Connecticut. This year’s parade theme is “Céad Míle Fáilte — A Hundred Thousand Welcomes.”  The parade kicks off at 1:30 p.m. and will run for approximately three hours, featuring a range of experiences, rain or shine.