November 2010

The Wilton Heritage Museum consists of two 18th century houses featuring 14 authentically furnished and decorated period rooms and connected by a 19th century barn.

The Weston Historical Society was formed in 1961. It already held a substantial backlog of history to investigate, record and preserve. It was in 1671 that the forest land which is now Weston was marked off in long narrow divisions called "long lots" by the early settlers of New Fairfield on the Sound.

Weston officially became a town in 1787. Before that it was known as Norfield Parish and at that time what has become Easton and Weston was one area, but because of geographical and transportation problems of the day had difficulty functioning as a community. The region was primarily devoted to farming but water power from the several branches of the Saugatuck River were soon put to use for driving grist mills, saw mills and, in the 1800s, for small industrial uses.

The Webb-Deane-Stevens Museum, owned and managed by the National Society of the Colonial Dames of America in the State of Connecticut, operates four remarkable 18th century houses, three of which are National Historic Landmarks. The 1752 Joseph Webb House served as George Washington’s headquarters in May 1781, and was later owned by Wallace Nutting. The Silas Deane House, circa 1770, was built for America’s Revolutionary War diplomat to France as both his residence and as a power base for his political aspirations. The Isaac Stevens House, 1789, depicts the life of a middle class family in the 1820s and 30s using many original family possessions. The newly opened second floor features the Colonial Dames' toy collection, a children’s bed chamber and interactive exhibits on child life and play in the early 19th century. The three houses stand on their original foundations next door to one another on Main Street in Wethersfield. The Webb House Colonial Revival Garden, based upon Amy Cogswell’s 1921 designs, and the Webb Barn, a popular site for meetings and weddings, are behind the Webb House.

The museum seeks to stimulate a greater appreciation for the village of Unionville by presenting varied thematic exhibits; hosting an annual community Ham and Bean Supper; co-sponsoring with the Town of Farmington annual Summer "Concerts at the Gazebo" at the Unionville Gazebo in Clover Pinney Park' presenting varied lectures of loval historical interest; and producing an annual historical calendar. The museum's historical archives are increasingly utilized by students, genealogists and local and state historians.

When Torrington resident Orsamus R. Fyler (1840-1909) commissioned a new home in 1897, he had no idea that it would one day become a house museum and the headquarters of the Torrington Historical Society. Undoubtedly, what he intended was a grand yet comfortable home for himself, his wife Mary, and their daughter and son-in-law, Gertrude and Edward Hotchkiss. Upon completion of the home in 1900, the Fylers and Hotchkisses quickly settled in. The residence remained in the family until the last occupant, Gertrude Fyler Hotchkiss, died in 1956. In her will, Mrs. Hotchkiss bequeathed her estate to the Torrington Historical Society. This extraordinary gift included the Hotchkiss-Fyler House Museum and grounds, the adjacent house (now the history museum), and the Carriage House. With this philanthropic gesture, Gertrude left a legacy for her family and a treasure for the community.

In 2005 and 2006, the museum was expanded, including a 20 panel permanent display area on Thompson's 10 Villages. A wonderful exhibit, by Mary Ellen Tomeo and Sue Vincent, based on the lives of 5 generations of the Ballard-Dalton-Eddy-Chase family members from Chase Road in Thompson, opened on Walking Weekend '06. The Walking Weekend tours by David Babbitt in North Grosvenordale and by Joe Iamartino on Thompson Hill were well received. Interviews and transcriptions continue as the society embarks on a mammoth 150 interview transcription process for the 2007-2008 year.

Many people, unmentioned, have contributed to the society in a variety of ways. Volunteers in the museum shop, archivists cataloging artifacts and documents, tour guides leading historical walks, presenters of historical programs, people collecting old photos, membership coordinators, accountants paying the bills, web designers working on our website, designers creating unique products for sale in the museum shop, specialists working on restoring the buildings are all part of the society. While too many to mention by name, it is through their efforts that the society has prospered through the years.

The Stamford Historical Society was founded in 1901. Like most historical societies, organized at the beginning of the twentieth century, the then world of Stamford smokestack industries and immigrant labor was ignored. The society's founders looked for inspiration to an earlier, pre-smokestack time, and focused on collecting artifacts and objects from the 17th and 18th centuries.

As with many Americans of the era, the founders viewed the past as largely immutable, and their 17th and 18th century forebears as largely rooted in one spot. Today it is recognized that the constant movement of settlers has been an American trait since the first generation arrived, built their meeting houses, and excluded later arrivals from them.

The Christopher Leffingwell House is unique in illustrating the development from 17th century beginnings to a mid 18th century town house. Built as a simple two room house in 1675 by Stephen Backus, the house later belonged to Thomas Leffingwell. In 1701 Thomas was granted permission to keep an inn. Benajah Leffingwell, Thomas' son, was also an innkeeper. The first additions to the original house were made to accommodate its use as an inn. The building descended to Christopher Leffingwell, a gentleman of utmost importance to the town and to the entire commonwealth. With his entrepreneurial skills and business connections he was invaluable as a supplier of provisions for the Revolutionary forces.

Dedicated in 1888 and housed in a stunning Romanesque Revival building, the Slater's local collection represents 300 years of Norwich history. Included are 18th - 20th century American paintings and decorative arts, including contemporary Connecticut crafts, 17th - 19th century European paintings and decorative arts, African and Oceanic sculpture, Native American objects, and a plaster cast collection of Egyptian, Archaic, Greek, Roman and Renaissance sculpture. The adjacent Converse Art Gallery hosts six changing exhibitions throughout the year.

The mission of the society is to promote an appreciation of the history of Simsbury, its people, places, and events, and their importance to the region and our country. The society collects, preserves, and interprets significant historical resources for Simsbury residents and visitors so that the past may enrich the future. Three successive generations of Phelps tavernkeepers are chronicled along with the social history of taverns in New England. From Masonic meetings to ordination balls, the Phelps Tavern hosted townspeople and travelers who arrived by horse, stagecoach and canal boat.