Thousands of Richard Duez Photos Featured at Bridgeport Public Library
By Julie Perine on March 27, 2025
For several years, Richard Duez has curated a collection of historical Bridgeport photographs. Now, the collection is available for viewing at Bridgeport Public Library.
“It’s been up for about a month and people are interested. We have a slideshow running on a TV in the area of our magazines and newspapers, where people can sit and watch,” said Angela Spatafore, community engagement manager. “Some patrons have recognized themselves in photos and get excited. Some ask for more information about the photos, and I send them to Mr. Duez or somewhere else I think they might get answers.”
The display is part of the library’s mission to preserve local history.
“This is the first step in that direction,” Spatafore said.
Duez said the library has possession of about 4,500 of his photos. Obviously, not all of them are featured in the slideshow.
“I picked out some of the highlights and will be updating them quarterly with different photos,” Spatafore said.
About 2,500 of the photos pre-date 2011, Duez said. But even some of the more recent photos are becoming historically significant.
“We (Bridgeport residents) see this stuff every day and don’t realize buildings are disappearing right before our eyes,” Duez said.
For instance, there are photos featuring the area of the former Ellis Restaurant/Tom Davis Garden Center on West Main Street/Bridgeport Hill. The area today would not be recognizable from photos taken 15 years ago.
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Duez said part of the collection was obtained from Roger Nichols, son of the late photographer, Bob Nichols.
“Bob took these aerial photos back in 1963 of Philadelphia Avenue and downtown Main Street. Seventy percent of the buildings in the photos are gone,” Duez said. “It’s shocking to realize that Simpson Grade School, the old gas station across from the Civic Center, the city building, fire department and other buildings are no longer standing.”
The library is open from 11 a.m. through 7 p.m. Monday through Friday and 11-2 Saturday. There are exceptions for holidays. Visit bplwv.org.
Editor's Note: From top, photos from the Richard Duez collection feature aerial views of Bridgeport High School and Valley Hills Shopping Center. Connect-Bridgeport features his historical photos in the weekly Time Travel blog.
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