The History of Carousel Gardens

William Henry Harrison Wooster was born in Waterbury (Prospect), Connecticut on July 4, 1840. Mr. Wooster married the late Anna L. Putnam of Springfield, Massachusetts on August 31, 1861. They resided in Seymour, Connecticut and were worthy of six children, having five daughters, Anna Thompson, Clara Lee, Louise, Mabel and Helena Ruth, and one son, Horace.

Mr. Wooster started the structure of his home, located at 153 North Street, in June of 1879 with completion of the premises in the year 1894. With his property, consisting of about 34 acres, there stood the Victorian Mansion, the Servant’s Quarters and the Carriage House.

Mr. Wooster was in the good phrase of his day, a “Captain of Industry”, an exemplar of the simple virtues of hard work, enterprise, integrity and foresight. His personal gifts were that of finance, organization, and the management of men; which served not only The Seymour Manufacturing Company, its associate and employees, but were freely devoted to the best interest of the community.

Mr. Wooster served our country during the Civil War in the Union Cause helping to form a company of Connecticut volunteers. He belonged to that fine group of Connecticut industrial leaders. They have contributed so importantly to the prosperity and reputation of the state in the field of manufacturing. He moved to Seymour in 1878 and over the next quarter century he was responsible for founding and organizing The Seymour Manufacturing Company, The Seymour Trust and The Seymour Water Company until his death. He was also the vice-president and director of the H.A. Matthews Manufacturing Company.

Mr. Wooster served Seymour as a member of the Board of Education and the Building Committee for Seymour’s first high school. He was a member of the Seymour Congregational Church and served as a superintendent of the Sunday school. In his spare time, he was an avid outdoorsman.

The death of William Henry Harrison Wooster on December 17, 1919, the age of 79, was mourned as the passing of the first citizen of Seymour and an outstanding figure in Connecticut industrial circles. Anna L. Putnam Wooster was laid to rest on March 2, 1927 at the age of 86.

*Legend has it that the Woosters may still lurk in the Mansion. Bring a camera and let us know what you think!