Connecticut Historical Society Museum | Hartford

The Connecticut Historical Society Museum (CHS) in Hartford, Connecticut, is the state’s primary historical museum and library, dedicated to preserving, interpreting, and sharing the rich history of Connecticut and its people. Founded in 1825, it is one of the oldest historical societies in the nation, with a reputation for its extensive collections, educational programs, and research resources.

Origins and Development

The Connecticut Historical Society was established by civic leaders, scholars, and antiquarians who sought to safeguard the state’s historical documents, artifacts, and stories at a time when the young nation was rapidly changing.

In its early years, CHS functioned largely as a scholarly society. Over time, it expanded into a public institution with museum exhibitions, lectures, and community programming.

Since 1950, the CHS has been headquartered in a Georgian Revival mansion on Elizabeth Street in Hartford, originally built in 1927 as a private residence for inventor Curtis Veeder. The house itself adds architectural and cultural interest to the museum complex.

Collections

CHS maintains one of the most significant historical collections in New England, with holdings that illuminate Connecticut’s past across centuries:

Manuscripts and Archives: Over 270,000 manuscripts including letters, diaries, business records, and government documents.

Books and Pamphlets: Approximately 100,000 printed works focusing on state and regional history.

Paintings and Decorative Arts: Portraits, furniture, silver, and textiles reflecting Connecticut craftsmanship and artistry.

Costumes and Textiles: One of the strongest costume and textile collections in the country, covering three centuries of fashion and clothing history.

Maps and Prints: Extensive cartographic materials and historical imagery documenting Connecticut towns, landscapes, and industries.

Photographs: A large archive of 19th- and 20th-century images, including glass negatives and rare prints.

Exhibitions

The museum presents both permanent displays and rotating exhibitions:

Permanent Core Exhibits: Cover major themes such as colonial settlement, the Revolutionary War, industrial development, immigration, and social change in Connecticut.

Changing Exhibits: Focus on specific topics like Connecticut in the Civil War, the state’s maritime heritage, or the evolution of local industries (clockmaking, insurance, arms manufacturing).

Special Emphasis on Social History: Exhibits often highlight everyday life, family stories, and the diverse communities that shaped the state.

Library and Research Center

The CHS library is a premier resource for genealogists, scholars, and historians researching Connecticut’s past. Its rare books, town records, church registers, and genealogical resources attract researchers from across the country.

Education and Outreach

CHS places strong emphasis on public education:

School Programs: Curriculum-based visits for K–12 students, covering colonial history, Native American heritage, immigration, and civic life.

Public Programs: Lectures, family days, workshops, and walking tours.

Community Partnerships: Collaborations with local organizations to highlight underrepresented histories, ensuring Connecticut’s story is inclusive.

Cultural Significance

The Connecticut Historical Society Museum represents:

A guardian of state memory, preserving the artifacts and records that define Connecticut’s identity.

A center for historical scholarship, offering resources that link local history to national narratives.

A community forum, making history accessible and engaging for the public.

Legacy and Contemporary Role

With nearly two centuries of collecting and interpretation, the Connecticut Historical Society Museum continues to serve as the state’s historical conscience, connecting present generations with the struggles, triumphs, and transformations of the past.

Its blend of museum, library, and educational center ensures it remains both a scholarly resource and a cultural destination, keeping Connecticut’s stories alive for the future.