The Gallaher Mansion at Cranbury Park and Pine Island Cemetery in Mathews Park became even richer in history after the Connecticut Commission on Culture and Tourism this week added them to the state Register of Historic Places.

Michael A. Mocciae, the city’s director of recreation and parks, said the commission’s Historic Preservation Council approved the inclusion of the two properties after he and several other people made the case in Hartford on Wednesday.

“The parks department is quite excited and thanks a group of community-minded citizens that worked tirelessly to get these applications to the state of Connecticut for recognition,” Mocciae said. “This is a huge leap for the park. It really shows that (the Gallaher Mansion) is a historically interesting building and that the community must take care of it.”

Joining Mocciae in Hartford were Friends of Cranbury Park President Celia Maddox; Norwalk Historical Commission Chairman David W. Park; Historical Commissioner David G. Westmoreland; and Dana Laird, who helped put together the application. Holly Cuzzone, another volunteer who worked on the application, was unable to attend, Park said.

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