Connecticut History Museums

Danbury Historical Society and Museum

[Danbury History]

More than just a museum, there are several historic buildings located on the campus including: 1785 Rider House, the Little Red Schoolhouse, the Marian Anderson Studio and the 1790 John Dodd Hat Shop.  The history of Danbury is chronicled in artifacts and exhibits.  The museum offers a research library and archives by appointment.  Address is 43 Main Street, Danbury, CT.

Danbury Railway Museum

Travel in historic train cars on the Danbury Rail Yard Local offering a 20 minute tour.  Exhibits include trains, railway artifacts and an antique operating turntable.  Located at 120 White Street in the old Danbury Train Station in Danbury, CT.

Darien Historical Society and the Bates Scofield House

Hoyt Barnum House at Stamford   [Virtual Tour]

New Canaan Historical Society and Museums

Sheffield Island Light House

Established in 1827, the lighthouse is 44 feet tall, it can be reached by ferry from Norwalk, CT.  The tour is included with the ferry ride.

Wheeler House

Constructed in 1795, the house features early furnishings and historic household items.  Located at 25 Avery Place in Westport, CT.

American Clock and Watch Museum

[History]

Nestled in the heart of the clockmaking town of Bristol, you will find this museum displaying hundreds of historical and ornate timepieces.  Housed inside the colonial Miles Lewis house along with a research library. 

100 Maple Street

Bristol, CT.

Avon Living History Museum

Take a step back to a simpler time in history.  Housed in old Schoolhouse No. 3, the museum features historical artifacts, memorabilia, photographs, and other items related to the history of Avon, Connecticut.  Located at 8 East Main Street in Avon, CT.

Brown Elton Tavern in Burlington

The Connecticut Trolley Museum

[History]

Owned and operated by the Connecticut Electric Railway Association Inc., the museum is America's oldest incorporated organization which is dedicated to the preservation of the trolley era and it's history.  Visitors are taken on a 3 mile round trip ride on a streetcar with educational narrative.  The museum has in it's collection over 70 pieces of rolling stock dating back to 1869 including passenger and freight street cars, interurban cars, locomotives, railroad cars and a variety of others.  Located at 58 North Road, East Windsor, Hartford County, Connecticut.

Derrin House - Historical Home in Avon

East Windsor Historical Society and  Academy Museum 

Operated by the East Windsor Historical Society, the museum is located at 115 Scantic Road in East Windsor Hill, CT.

Farmington Historic Main Street

Greater Hartford's West Indians

Governor's Mansion   [Virtual Tour]  [History]

Situated on 4 acres, the Governor's home is decorated with original 18th century furnishings.  The Georgian Revival Colonial style mansion has been called home by Connecticut governors since 1943.  990 Prospect Avenue, Hartford, CT.

Harriet Beecher Stowe Center   [Collections]

Hill-Stead Museum

Built in 1901, the house was home to the Pope family for over 40 years.  This historical museum has been open since 1947 and features a lovely collection of impressionist paintings.  The archives holds historical documents, photographs, and postcards.  Tours are offered and rentals for special occasions are available.  Located at 35 Mountain Road in Farmington, CT.

Mark Twain House and Museum   [Virtual Tour]

Museum of Connecticut History

New England Air Museum   [Photos & Exhibits]

Noah Webster House Museum   [Virtual Tour]

[Bio and Facts about Noah Webster]

The home is birthplace to Noah Webster (well known author of the Blue Back Speller and the American Dictionary).  The museum is operated by the West Hartford Historical Society and exhibits relate the stories of the town's history as well.  Located at 227 S. Main Street, West Hartford, CT.

Manchester Museum and Historical Society

Old Newgate Prison and Copper Mine

Old State House Museum  

[Vintage & Historical Photos]  [Online Tour]

Now considered a National Historic Landmark, it is one of America's oldest state houses.  Beautifully restored, the Old State House was built in 1796 and is available for tours or rental.  Location is 800 Main Street in Hartford, CT.

Phelps Tavern Museum   [Photo Tour]

Pine Grove Schoolhouse

Southington Historic Sites

Stanley-Whitman House   [History]

A living history museum devoted to telling the history of Farmington, Connecticut.  Housed in a 1720 historic house, it may be rented for special occasions and meetings.  Visit at 37 High Street in Farmington, CT.

Webb Deane Stevens Historical House Museum

Windsor Historical Society

Goshen Historical Museum

21 Old Middle Road
P.O. Box 457
Goshen, CT 06756

Gunn Historical Museum

Housed in an 1780 home located on Washington Green, the museum is dedicated to the preservation of the history of Washington, Connecticut.  Exhibits include a large collection of antique chairs, the Cogswell family papers, photos, historical documents and other artifacts.  Located at 5 Wykeham Rd. in Washington CT.

Litchfield History Museum

Roxbury Furnace

Sloane - Stanley Museum and Kent Iron Furnace Historic Site

Tapping Reeve House / Litchfield Law School

Watertown Historical Society Museum

Featuring exhibits of historical artifacts, documents and memorabilia related to the rich history of Watertown, the society also maintains many genealogical materials for the researcher.  Located at 22 Deforest Street in Watertown, Connecticut.

Connecticut River Museum   [Virtual Exhibits]

Recently renovated, the museum brings the River history to life through exhibits of artifacts and items related to the history of the Connecticut River Valley and the people who live there.  Located at 67 Main Street in Essex, CT.

Dudley Farm Living History Museum in Guilford, CT.

Henry Whitfield House   [Virtual Tour]

Mattatuck Museum - Art & History in Waterbury

[Collections]

The Mattatuck Museum was established in 1877 as the Mattatuck Historical Society.  The society was designed to preserve and display the history of the part of Connecticut known as Mattatuck (a ten town area surrounding Waterbury).  Located at 144 W. Main Street in Waterbury, CT.

Shore Line Trolley Museum

Featuring over 100 vintage vehicles, artifacts and documents from the days of trolleys, the museum offers visitors a chance to experience the thrill of riding the old trolley line operated by the Branford Electric Railway.  Located at 17 River Street in East Haven, CT.

Historic Sites of New London

Mystic Seaport

New London Gazette US Custom House & Maritime Museum

The oldest continuously operating custom house in the United States is housed in a beautiful granite building erected in 1833.  Located at 150 Bank Street in downtown New London, the museum features a research library along with such maritime exhibits as Amistad: Voyage to Freedom.

Old Lighthouse Museum and Stonington Historical Society

USS Nautilus and US Navy Submarine Force Museum

District 5 Schoolhouse Museum and Historical Society

Ellie McKnight Museum

This lovely Federalist style home was built in 1812 for the Sexton family.  Purchased in 1922 by the McKight family, the home was donated to the Ellington Historical Society and today serves as a museum which is open during the Fair on the Green, special events and by appointment. 

New England Civil War Museum

Connecticut Eastern Railroad Museum

Mill Museum / Windham Textile and History Museum

Prudence Crandall Museum 

Samuel Huntington Homestead Museum

[The Huntington Family]

Birthplace to Samuel Huntington (signer of the Declaration of Independence), the house was built ca 1723 and has been continually enlarged and remodeled.  Archaeological finds are still being made at this property and artifacts discovered give example of early life in Connecticut.  Located at 36 Huntington Rd. in Scotland, CT.

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