Contact:
Margaret Anne Tockarshewsky, Executive Director, New Haven Museum
203-562-4183, ext. 20, matockarshewsky@newhavenmuseum.org
Julie Winkel, Media Specialist,
203-815-0800, jwinkel@live.com
Joan Joyce Appearance at the Pardee-Morris House
New Haven, Conn. (May 27, 2021)— Perhaps most famous for striking out Ted Williams and Hank Aaron, Connecticut native Joan Joyce is a true sports legend. Joyce, considered one of the best softball players ever to play the game, will make a guest appearance with Connecticut writer Tony Renzoni, at the Pardee-Morris House (PMH) on Wednesday, June 23, at 5 p.m. The two will sign copies of Renzoni’s book, “Connecticut Softball Legend Joan Joyce.” The event is free and precedes the PMH Summer Twilight Concert, featuring Otis and the Hurricanes, at 7 p.m.
Joyce’s appearance at PMH coincides with her return to “home base” for the premiere of the new musical, “Joan Joyce!” at the Legacy Theatre in Branford, Connecticut, which will run June 5-26, 2021. The play is based on the book by Renzoni.
In a review of the book, “Connecticut Softball Legend Joan Joyce,” Billie Jean King notes “Joan Joyce is the real deal, a fierce competitor and one of the greatest athletes and coaches in sports history. Tony Renzoni’s moving tribute to Joan shows us why she is a champion in sports and in life.”
Joyce will always be known locally as the unbeatable pitcher for the Raybestos Brakettes and the Connecticut Falcons, whose numerous career records—including an incredible 150 no-hitters and 50 perfect games—made her the best in the game. She is also one of the most gifted athletes the state ever produced. Excelling in softball, basketball volleyball, and bowling, she set records in basketball and broke both the LPGA (Women’s) and PGA (Men’s) Golf records in 1982, setting records that still stand after 39 years. A true pioneer of women’s sports, she is currently the head softball coach at Florida Atlantic University.
Renzoni is also author of the “Connecticut Rock ’n’ Roll: A History.” During his 38-year career with the federal government he oversaw the operations of four field offices. He wrote more than 1,000 weekly columns for the Connecticut Post newspaper and website. He has received more than 40 awards. A lifelong resident of Connecticut, he is a graduate of Sacred Heart University.
About the Pardee-Morris House
Located at 325 Lighthouse Road, in New Haven, the Pardee-Morris House dates from about 1780, and is listed on the State and National Register of Historic Places. Built by Amos Morris around 1750, the house was burned by the British during their raid on New Haven in 1779, and rebuilt and expanded by the Morris family. In 1918, William S. Pardee, a descendant of the Morris family, willed the property to the New Haven Colony Historical Society, today the New Haven Museum. For a complete list of summer events at the Pardee-Morris House, visit: http://newhavenmuseum.org/visit/pardee-morris-house/
For New Haven Museum’s event calendar: http://newhavenmuseum.org/visit/events-calendar/
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About the New Haven Museum
The New Haven Museum, founded in 1862 as the New Haven Colony Historical Society, is located in downtown New Haven at 114 Whitney Avenue. The Museum collects, preserves and interprets the history and heritage of Greater New Haven and through its collections, exhibitions, programs and outreach brings more than 375 years of the Elm City’s history to life. For more information visit www.newhavenmuseum.org or facebook.com/NewHavenMuseum or call 203-562-4183.
