Local insurance agency celebrates 125th anniversary.

Branford, CT – January 10, 2011 – V.F. McNeil Insurance, a local insurance agency recently announced the celebration of 125 years in business.   

In honor of this very significant year, V.F. McNeil has constructed a calendar of activities and events aimed at giving back to the community for their years of continuous support.

Since 1886, when Virgil F. McNeil (a native of Branford) started his insurance company, V.F. McNeil has transformed from a small agency located in New Haven, Connecticut where policies were hand written, into a full-service independent insurance agency that has grown in size, technological capabilities, and reputation. 

While still operating under the ownership of the McNeil-Sturgess family (also residents of Branford), V.F. McNeil serves the property and casualty insurance needs of businesses, families, and individuals primarily in Connecticut, but also throughout the country.  Although the agency continuously strives to position itself for the future by engaging in activities such as ongoing technological advancements, continuing education, and social networking, one thing has remained the same and that’s their commitment to personalized service and support to their community.  As defined by the present agency owner Paul Sturgess, “Community to V.F. McNeil consists of all who are a part of our lives in different ways such as our friends, families, co-workers, clients, fellow business owners, public servants, our schools, associations, organizations and more.”  “Without our community, V.F. McNeil wouldn’t be what it is today.”  “So for that, we thank our community.”

To celebrate this significant milestone, the agency has established a theme to guide their 125^th anniversary plans.  The theme, Community will be the focus of their plans and will include community centered activities such as the development of an annual scholarship award which will be made available to qualifying Branford High School seniors starting this year as well as, support efforts to fellow business owners and non-profit organizations.  In addition, the agency will be hosting an open house in the month of March.  Details and specifics of their calendar of events will be posted on an ongoing basis and will be available at www.vfmcneil.com on their events calendar.  V.F. McNeil will also be posting information about these activities on their Facebook page.

What else happened in 1886?

January 1886 

• Karl Benz patents the first successful gasoline-driven automobile.

February 1886

• First Groundhog Day celebrated in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania

May 1886

• First Coca-Cola is sold
• Grover Cleavland Marries Frances Folsom in a White House ceremony.

August 1886

• Charleston Earthquake was one of the most damaging earthquake to occur in the Southeast United States and one of the largest historic shocks in Eastern North America.

October 1886

• First Train Robbery: Reno gang robs Ohio & Mississippi Passenger Train.
• The Statue of Liberty Opens for the first time, given to the United States by the people of France as recognition of the friendship established during the American Revolution.

December 1886

• Theodore Roosevelt marries his high school sweetheart, Edith Kermit Carow in London following the election.