Clio Logo
West Hartford Connecticut Walking Tour
Item 4 of 9
The Connecticut Historical Society is the state's primary historical repository. Founded in 1825, it is one of the oldest state historical societies in the country. It is located in an old house just to the west of Saint Francis Hospital. The Society operates a museum, library and gift shop at this location. It contains an enormous collection of Connecticut-related materials dating from the 17th century to today including four million manuscripts, over 265,000 artifacts, and125,000 books and pamphlets. There are many notable highlights of the collection such as one of the American flags that was hung in the Presidential box at Ford's Theater where President Abraham Lincoln was assassinated, and a rare 18th century "round hat" worn by a man named Phineas Meigs, who was perhaps the last American killed in the Revolutionary War (there are two bullet holes in the hat). The museum presents changing exhibits throughout the year and the society also offers many educational programs for children.

The Connecticut Historical Society was founded in 1825, making it one of the oldest state historical societies in the country.

The Connecticut Historical Society was founded in 1825, making it one of the oldest state historical societies in the country.
"About CHS." Connecticut Historical Society. Accessed January 19, 2018. https://chs.org/about-2.

Photo: Sage Ross, via Wikimedia Commons
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Connecticut_Historical_Society#/media/File:Connecticut_Historical_Soci...