Connecticut-Wide Historical Societies
Connecticut Historical Society
A private, nonprofit, educational organization established in 1825, the Connecticut Historical Society is the state’s official historical society and one of the oldest in the nation. Located at One Elizabeth Street in Hartford, the CHS houses a museum, library, and the Edgar F. Waterman Research Center that are open to the public and funded by private contributions. The CHS’s collection includes more than 4 million manuscripts, graphics, books, artifacts, and other historical materials accessible at our campus and on loan at other organizations. The CHS collection, programs and exhibits help Connecticut residents connect with each other, have conversations that shape our communities, and make informed decisions based on our past and present.
Connecticut League of History Organizations
The Connecticut League of History Organizations builds connections among those who preserve and share the stories and objects of our past. (Adopted March 15, 2011). We strengthen and sustain our communities by sharing knowledge and experience, and promoting best practices. We practice our mission by sharing best practices and contemporary trends that affect historical societies, museums and libraries, with those responsible for Connecticut’s heritage collections, serving as a communication hub by offering opportunities for peer-to-peer net-working, and providing a consistent presence and long-term memory for those who promote and safeguard Connecticut’s cultural heritage.
Connecticut State Historic Preservation Office
Links to state historic preservation resources.
Eastern Connecticut Center for History, Art & Performance
The Eastern Connecticut Center for History, Art, and Performance, Inc. (EC-CHAP) represents an important cultural resource serving communities and visitors to Eastern Connecticut and beyond. The Center’s purpose is to bring a heightened awareness to the significance of local history and preservation; provide an appreciation for the visual arts through education, creation and display; and offer performance events and opportunities for creative expression in music, film, dance, literature, and theater.
French-Canadian Genealogical Society of Connecticut
The Society is dedicated to collecting, preserving and disseminating genealogical and historical information about our ancestors who settled in Quebec and Acadia and their descendants. At our library in Tolland, you will find numerous resources to trace your family history back to the founders of New France and Acadia. In addition, meetings, seminars and other events provide more opportunities to learn. The Connecticut Maple Leaf, our society's journal, provides valuable articles and information to our members.
New England Civil War Museum & Research Center
Located in Vernon, Connecticut, the museum and research center resides in the historic downtown section of Rockville. It is housed in an original Grand Army of the Republic hall and contains numerous one-of-a-kind artifacts from the Civil War, with an emphasis on Connecticut's contributions. The library and research center contains hundreds of books and periodicals for research and study.
Town-Based Historical Societies
Alphabetically Listed
Andover Historical Society
The Purpose of the Society is to research information pertaining to the town of Andover and its residents, preserve records, photos, and relics pertinent to Andover, inform and educate town residents concerning their historical heritage, create an awareness of this heritage among the youth of the community, and to sponsor activities that would help to maintain the Society's enthusiasm and spirit of cooperation.
Bolton Historical Society
The Society is dedicated to preserving Bolton's rich historic past, from its founding in 1720 to the 21st century. We annually award the Evelyn W. Halloran Memorial Scholarship and recently helped erect a Veterans Monument and Honor Roll on the Bolton green. We sponsor an annual "Heritage Day" to educate and involve residents in their town's history.
Columbia Historical Society
For over 50 years, the Columbia Historical Society has been dedicated to preserving and interpreting our town’s history through its collections, historic sites and public events. We invite you to explore our website to learn more about interesting historical legacy, our schedule of upcoming events, and ways that you can play a role in keeping our heritage alive.
Coventry Historical Society
The Coventry Historical Society is a non-profit group dedicated to discovering, collecting and preserving whatever pertains to the history of the Town of Coventry and promoting historical research in all its aspects and making available to the members of the Society and to the public, the results of this research. As part of our mission the Society provides local schools with materials and resources to tell children the story of Coventry’s rich history and its place in the history of our great nation. The Society has had several projects recently including the restoration of the North and South Coventry Hearses, restoration of a 19th century Armstrong Wagon, built in South Coventry, and restoration of the carriage shed at the Strong-Porter House. Future projects include restoration of the barn at Strong-Porter. Donations towards these projects are gratefully accepted.
East Windsor Historical Society
The society was formed in 1965 in anticipation of the 1968 bicentennial of the incorporation of East Windsor, CT due primarily to the efforts of its founding president L. Ellsworth Stoughton with the support of many members of the community. Our purposes are to discover, procure, and preserve whatever may relate to the civil, ecclesiastical and natural history of the Town of East Windsor in particular and to the state of Connecticut in general. Its aim is also to collect, preserve and publish historical and biographical material relating to East Windsor and its five villages: Broad Brook, Melrose, Scantic, Warehouse Point, and Windsorville.
Ellington Historical Society
The Ellington Historical Society preserves and interprets the Nellie McKnight home and the Society’s historic collections, promotes activities that celebrate the spirit of Ellington and inspires the appreciation and love of history. The Nellie McKnight Museum located at 70 Main St in Ellington Connecticut is wholly owned and operated by the Ellington Historical Society, a 501c(3) non-profit corporation. Funding for the operation of the museum comes from the society members dues, individual gifts and fundraising activities. Help us to continue to build a cultural center for all to enjoy by joining or donating today!
Enfield Historical Society
Enfield, Connecticut has a rich history, which the Enfield Historical Society strives to discover and preserve. Visit our history page to read about the Thompsonville carpet industry, the Hazardville gunpowder industry, the Enfield Shaker Community, and many other facets of Enfield's past. The Enfield Historical Society is a non-profit all-volunteer organization. Our mission is to preserve the history of Enfield, Connecticut and to educate the public about our town's history. To achieve these goals we operate museums, collect artifacts and information pertaining to the Enfield's history, and conduct demonstrations, tours, regular meetings and other special events.
Farmington Historical Society
Founded in 1954, the Farmington Historical Society is dedicated to preserving the town’s history and educating the public about its significance. We sponsor exhibits, lectures and other events, and we provide tours of the Freedom Trail’s Underground Railroad and Amistad sites. The society celebrates the diversity of all those who have contributed to the town’s history—the Tunxis Indians who established the first settlement by the Farmington River; the English settlers who traded with the Indians; the fugitive slaves who sought freedom on theUnderground Railroad; the abolitionists who gave them shelter; the 38 Africans who lived here in 1841 after gaining their freedom in the Amistad case; the entrepreneurs who constructed the Farmington Canal in the early 1880s; and the merchants and traders who built the stately homes lining Main Street in the historic village.
Glastonbury Historical Society
The Historical Society of Glastonbury is a non-profit organization (501(c)3). We receive no funds from the Town or State and rely on membership fees, donations, grants and event fundraisers for our funding. We always welcome new members to HSG and donations are always appreciated so that we are able to continue our mission to protect and perserve Glastonbury's important historic legacy for future generations.
Hebron Historical Society
Welcome to the web site of the Hebron Historical Society. We are a non-profit organization incorporated in May 1965 "to develop an interest in, preserve, and promote Hebron history by every feasible means to as wide an audience as possible.”
Manchester Historical Society
Welcome to the Manchester Historical Society, a non-profit organization dedicated to education and preservation. We hope you have an opportunity to visit our museums and attend our open houses, history walks, exhibits, lectures, and tours of our historic properties for adults and children.
Mansfield Historical Society
The Mansfield Historical Society, founded in 1957, preserves and interprets over 300 years of Mansfield history through exhibits, programs, research and publications. Located at 954 Storrs Road (Route 195), about one mile south of the University of Connecticut campus, the Society maintains a museum and research library in the former Town Office Building and the adjacent Old Town Hall, built in 1843. The museum presents annually changing exhibits and has an active educational outreach program. Our collection is comprised of over 7,000 artifacts — including some 3,000 photographs, furniture, decorative arts, costumes, tools, and materials relating to local industries and agriculture. The Mansfield Historical Society is a private, non-profit 501(c)(3) organization, supported by our members and our endowment, with additional grant funding. We have one staff person and an Executive Council elected each September by our membership.
Marlborough Historical Society
The original Marlborough Historical Society was dissolved in 2003. Many of the history that was kept within the society at that time was given to the Richmond Memorial Library, the Senior Center, and members of the society. For the next 17 years, the town of Marlborough was left without a historical society but interest in the history grew. New residents made Marlborough their home and with them came questions about the town's history, such as the tavern, mile markers, cemeteries, roads, homes, mills, and much more. Finding the answers to their questions was proving somewhat difficult.
Pomfret Historical Society
The goal of PHS is to educate and involve the public regarding the history of Pomfret, Connecticut. Past and present members of the Pomfret community are located throughout North America and the world. PHS considers that all those that have called Northeastern Connecticut their home, including present or former residents, visitors and all others that appreciate the tranquil beauty of Pomfret, Connecticut will always be part of our global family.
Sharon Historical Society
The Sharon Historical Society & Museum collects, preserves, and shares Sharon’s stories. The Society was founded on January 20, 1911 by twenty-one residents of Sharon whose objective was “to collect and preserve in some suitable place such articles as may tend to illustrate the life and history of the early settlers of this region, and to create and foster an interest in local history and tradition.” Since 1911, the Society has developed into a museum with public programs and collections of historical artifacts. What are your interests and traditions? Help us to build our collection of stories that include the diverse individuals and active social and civic life in the region. Reach out to us through social media or visit us at 18 Main Street in Sharon, Connecticut during our open hours.
South Windsor Wood Memorial Library & Museum
Wood Memorial Library & Museum is located on South Windsor’s Main Street, first an Indian trail, then a busy colonial thoroughfare, today a reminder of Connecticut’s heritage, lined with historic houses of every era. Since incorporating as a non-profit organization in 1971, the Friends of Wood Memorial Library & Museum have created and operated the activities of the institution. Now under the logo and tag line: “The Wood: where history, nature and the arts come alive,” the Friends provide cultural and educational programs and exhibits, maintain archives for historical material, and still operate the library and museum. The Friends are guided by a Board of Directors, a part-time paid staff of five and a dedicated corps of volunteers, all supported by generous donations from the community.
South Windsor Historical Society
The purpose of the South Windsor Historical Society is to seek, acquire, maintain, research and display significant artifacts pertaining to local history. These include books, clothing, manuscripts, oral histories, relics, and genealogical data, in order to preserve them for future generations. We believe it is important to share access to this information through general education programs, exhibitions, and history-themed events, in order to increase public knowledge and enhance the appreciation of local history.
Suffield Historical Society
We are a group of over 250 members who share an interest in American history in general and New England history in particular. The Society owns and operates the King House Museum, which is open free of charge on Wednesdays and Saturdays from 1:00 - 4:00 p.m. May through September. Built in 1764 by Dr. Alexander King, an influential figure in Suffield history, the museum's period rooms house an excellent collection of local furnishings. The gallery rooms contain a fine exhibit of local tobacco growing and cigar manufacturing history, as well as significant special collections of early flasks and bottles, embroidery samplers, Bennington pottery, Suffield postcards, and other local memorabilia. A barn at the museum houses a number of early carriages and sleighs and an expanding collection of the larger pieces used locally in growing and processing tobacco.
Tolland Historical Society
It is the mission of the Tolland Historical Society, Inc. to promote community awareness of local history. We do this by operating and maintaining our three museums with programs and exhibits for the school classes and the general public, publishing books available in our museum store as well as other materials relevant to Tolland History.
Union Historical Society
Located on the Town Green, The Union Historical Society is dedicated to the preservation of Union's rich history. Our historical museum houses an extensive collection of photos and other historical artifacts from both Union's past and present.
Vernon Historical Society
The Vernon Historical Society is a volunteer operated, non-profit organization. The purpose of the Society is to create interest and activity in the field of local history. The Museum building serves as a repository for a variety of collected materials that are available to the general public for research. These collections aid historians, genealogists, and interested citizens in research, and provide source materials for exhibits, publications and programs. During Museum hours, volunteers are present to answer questions and provide access to collected materials.
Wethersfield Historical Society
Wethersfield Historical Society (WHS) is a 501(c)3 non-profit, membership-supported organization. Founded in 1932, the Society has strived to “preserve and promote Wethersfield’s history and culture to inspire people today and tomorrow” through the present day.
Windham Historical Society
At Windham History, we have always been guided by our core values of honesty, integrity, hard work, reliability and compassion. This underlying philosophy compels us to treat everyone with respect and courtesy as we deliver prompt attention to their needs. We believe in giving best exposure to everyone, working hard to earn visitor trust, and keeping our commitments while striving to exceed your expectations at every turn.
Woodstock Historical Society
If we can answer any questions or provide information by phone or email we will do our best to do so. Leave a message at (860) 928 1035 or email us at welcome@centerforwoodstockhistory.com