District 53 History
The origin of District 53 has been unearthed recently by Toastmasters International's Marketing Manager, Dan Rex. Stated on record, in the archives, at World Headquartes is that the following "Ten (10) clubs in Connectict in District 31 were granted permission by the Board of Directors to operate as a provisional district starting on July 1, 1955."
| Club No. |
Club Name |
Location |
| 536 |
Connecticut Yankee |
New Haven |
| 764 |
Nutmeg |
New Haven |
| 803 |
Danbury |
Danbury |
| 865 |
Lock City |
Stamford |
| 931 |
Charter Oak |
Hartford |
| 1065 |
Park City |
Bridgeport |
| 1461 |
Hardware City |
New Britain |
| 1628 |
Brass City |
Waterbury |
| 1638 |
Chew 'n Chat |
Manchester |
| 1782 |
New London |
New London |
The provisional Governor was Louis J. Fifer of Nutmeg Toastmasters. There were approximately 260 members in the 10 Clubs.
On July 1, 1956, District 53 was recognized with full district status. Marson Giddings of Charter Oak Toastmasters was elected District Governor. There have been 50+ District Governors since.
 In 1967, District 53 was expanded to include the entire state of Connecticut and western Massachusetts (Berkshire, Franklin, Hampshire and Hamden counties).
On July 1, 1972, District 53 had 37 Clubs. Upon the disbanding of District 34 in 1972, District 53 was expanded to include eastern New York state (Essex, Hamilton, Warren, Fulton, Washington, Saratoga, Montgomery, Schenectady, Schoharie, Albany, Rensselaer, Greene, Columbia, Ulster, Sullivan, Duchess, Orange, and Putnam counties). Large Map of D53.
On July 1, 1998, District 53 had 105 Clubs and approximately 2200 members.
On July 1, 2005, District 53 has 115 Clubs and approximately 2400 members.
On July 1, 2006, District 53 has 127 Clubs and approximately 2500 members. |
