The Tolland Historical Society launched the America 250 in Tolland celebration beginning with General Lafayette’s three-day Tolland reunion recreation event in September 2024. The general, a close friend of Washington’s, came with friends on his travels to many Connecticut towns including ours to visit his troops.

Whether it’s the institution of the unique Tolland logo for this event, social media entries or programs the society is holding throughout the museum seasons, the Tolland Historical Society is offering our residents and visitors a chance to revisit our nation, state and town’s unique history at our four museums. Join us and share your ideas and talents. The society is accepting suggestions for speakers and programs throughout 2026 at [email protected]. Let’s make this the memorable celebration America deserves!

The museums on Tolland Green are open for the season on Sundays from Noon to 3 except for the Independence Day and Labor Day holiday weekends and by appointment. To make an appointment, call 860-872-7716 and leave a message. If you wish to visit the Daniel Benton Homestead Museum, which opens beginning in June from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. on Sundays except for Labor Day weekend, please email: [email protected] for your appointment. Don’t forget to visit us on Facebook to get all the latest at Tolland Historical Society.

2026 Events and Programs

March 1 – The 57th Tolland Antiques Show and Sale at the Tolland Middle School from 9 to 3

March 8 – James Madison, second in the Presidential Series, by the Hon. Tom Farrish, at the Military Museum starting at 1:30

April 16 – Jordan Freeman, “The Fight to Set a People Free”, a dramatic presentation about an enslaved man’s story of freedom. Unlike anything you can imagine or expect. Tolland Public Library Program Room at 6:00 – 8:00 p.m.

April 18 – Paul Revere’s Ride – Join us on the front lawn of the Old Tolland County Court House Museum for the reading of the historic Longfellow poem, and to observe the candle lighting in the Court House Palladian window. We hope for an invited guest to round out the evening, sans horse. 6:00 p.m.

April 19 – Dirty Blue Shirts is an experiential history collective of living historians, scholars and artists who will bring to life the choices made by women during the War for Independence. Textiles drove the course of the Revolution just as determinedly as any congress. 12:30 p.m. Old Tolland County Court House Museum property.

May 16 – Armed Forces Day Open House at the Military Museum – Join local Veterans, their families, friends and neighbors for refreshments and conversation from 11 – 2 p.m.

May 24 – Memorial Day Parade and THS Museums on the Green Openings – Museums will open at noon prior to the parade which steps off at 1 p.m. and is announced from the Jail balcony again this year. Museums will remain open after the parade until the crowd has dissipated.

May 31 – CT Museum of Culture and History display, artifacts and stories of the American Revolution form Across CT. Jail Museum Shed at 1 p.m.

June 7 – Tolland Cottage Industries and Artifacts in the 1800s an interactive discussion about families in Tolland, their cottage industry lifestyles and their interdependence on each other. . Jail Museum Shed at 1 p.m.

June 14 – Betsy Ross returns for a Flag Day program designed for the whole family. Learn how Gen. Washington approached her initially and why the country has 5-pointed stars on our flags among other fun facts. Jail Museum Shed at 1 p.m.

June 20 and 21 – Book Sale – on the front lawn of the Court House Museum Noon to 3 p.m.

June 21 – Student Intern Program Q & A & Tours – start at the Jail Museum Shed display area. 1 to 2 p.m. or email: [email protected]

June 28 – Black History in Post-Abolition Tolland County, focusing on lives of Black residents after the gradual abolition act of 1784 through the early 1800s, Jail Museum Shed at 1 p.m.

July 5 – Spontaneous Pick-Up Parade, looping from the Jail Museum to Old Post Village and back. Bring your marching feet, bikes, wagons, walkers, noisemakers, whatever and form a joyful noise for an hour, 10 a.m.

July 12 – Ice Cream Making, the old-fashioned cranking way, Jail Museum backstairs and deck at 1 p.m.

July 19 – Conserving the Dutch Belted Cows of Leonard’s Corner, discussion and artifacts from a rare and legacy breeds family. Dr. and Mrs. Bach, Jail Museum shed, 1 p.m.

August 2 – Opening of the CT History Showcase, Jail Cellblock, all month, noon to 3 p.m.

August 2 & 9 – CT History Showcase Student Documentaries and Performances, Jail Museum Shed, 1 p.m.

September 6 – Labor Day Observed, Museums Closed

September 13 – Hessians and the American Revolution, Dennis Picard from Westfield University and Storrowton Village Museum will speak, Benton Homestead, 154 Metcalf Road, 1 p.m.

September 20: Special Event, Tolland Military Museum, Opening Early War Room, Noon to 3 p.m. Refreshments

September 25: Evening event at the Military Museum, 747 Tolland Stage Road,
5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. More information to follow.

September 27 – 18th Century cooking and foodways by Museum Director Gail White Usher, Benton Homestead Museum, 154 Metcalf Road, 1 p.m.

October 4: “Women in the Revolutionary War,” Melodye Whatley, Jail Museum Shed, 1 p.m.

October 10 -Tolland Harvest Fest, Jail and Military Museums will be open noon to 4 p.m.

October 10 -“A Peddler’s Pack of Eerie Tale from Hill and Valley,” from Dennis Picard, Benton Homestead, 1 p.m.

October 11 – Columbus Day Weekend; museums will be closed

October 18: “Slaves in New England During the Revolution,” featuring Dan Gorska, Jail Museum Shed, 1 p.m.

October 25 – Haunting Tales, Benton Homestead Museum, 1 p.m.

October 31 – Trick or Treating – Jail Museum 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

November 8 -Veterans Day, Military Museum Open House, Historic Military Vehicles, Veterans Recognition; Military Displays and Artifacts, Living History and Refreshments, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

November 11 -Military Museum Open House, Refreshments, 9 a.m. to noon

November 15 -THS 60th Anniversary Open House and Reunion, Time and place to be announced

December 5 – “Home For the Holidays,” Military Museum, Time to be announced.

December 5 – Cookies, Crafts and the Clauses, Jail Museum

Future topics include:

Early Butchering

60th Anniversary Celebration of the Tolland Historical Society

Tolland Times

The latest edition of the Tolland Times, the historical society’s newsletter, will be arriving at members’ homes and email boxes on about Sept. 1. Do you want to stay in-the-know about the society’s events and initiatives? Become a member today!
You can join the society and supports its four museums and many programs at these levels: Sustaining $150, Patron $100, Individual $20, Family $30, Business $50, Student $10. Each category is payable annually. Send your dues by check to Tolland Historical Society, P.O. Box 107, Tolland, CT 06084, or use Venmo at: TollandHistorical@historical101

We honor our military members ever year by participating in the Blue Star Museum program (a part of the Nation Endowment for the Arts). We offer free admission to our museums to all active or retired military and their families. At the request of the Blue Star organization, we extended the season through 10/5 this year. We are forever grateful for the service of all our active duty and retired military. You are welcomed here.

Remember our museums are open by appointment, contact: Jail Museum, Kathy Bach, 860-872-7716; Court House Museum, Celeste Senechal, 860-543-4687; Military Museum, Mary-Pat Soucy, 860-803-0034; Benton Homestead, Gail Usher, email: [email protected]

The society office, located in the Jail Museum, houses a small research library and archival files with information on Tolland history, photographs, sites, families, properties, government, schools and much more. Office hours on Monday 10 to Noon or call for an appointment. The society main phone, 860.870.9599 is on voicemail and checked at least weekly by our volunteers. Call museum directors for faster response.

The Tolland Historical Society is an all-volunteer organization that operates by your generous donations. Most events request a $5.00 donation to cover program costs. Thank you for your support.

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2025 Schedule of Events

June 2025 topics included an educational and interactive discussion on ‘President Abraham Lincoln’ by the Honorable Thomas Farrish. The society’s annual meeting, a book sale/meet and greet, and ended with another interactive ‘About Tolland’ by Richard Symonds and Louis Bach VMD.

July 2025 was anything but a slow month! Betsy Ross came to talk about her life and the visit from Gen. Washington that led to her creating the first American flag. We learned what the colors and 5 pointed star represent. A great family program. Next, Celeste Senechal presented a wonderful program on weaving with historic examples and plenty of samples to keep everyone involved. Later the area high school students from CT History Day program set-up their exhibit and held a reception in preparation for a 4 week run. What an amazing group of young people! That exhibit ran throughout August.

August 2025 heralded as ‘Lake Month” as we remembered Tolland’s quieter era as a place of summer relaxation. The Stafford Historical Society presented a wonderful program about the healing waters of Stafford Spring and the businesses that grew around it. Of course Tolland Green provided housing for many who partook of the healing springs as well. Crystal Lake represented a fun era in the discussion led by Jessica Bullock. There were lots of boppers in that audience! Reminisces of the dance hall the roller rink and of course the lake! Tim Gottier closed out the month with ‘the Snip’. We covered the history of the area and the the recreational time on the water. His maps and photos were awesome. But I think the interactive parts of the presentation were some of the best parts that the overflow audience will remember.

We honored our summer interns with their annual pizza party in September 2025, saw an up-tick in visitors, and finished off with dessert with an “All American Apple Bake-Off”.

October 28, 2025 at the Benton Homestead at 2 pm. Restoration specialist Chris Albrecht of Chris’ Carpentry, Woodstock, CT will lead a workshop on repairing and restoring old windows. Bring your questions and other challenges. Pre-registration required, space limited, email: [email protected].

The Old Tolland County Jail Museum will be open for Trick or Treating on October 31, 2025 from 4:30 to 7:30.

November 8, 2025 from 10 to noon at the Court House Museum, 53 Tolland Green is the return of the popular Silhouette fundraiser. Bring your children, pets. Reservations at signupgenius.com or [email protected]

The Tolland Military Museum will be open on November 11, 2025 from 10 – 2 refreshments will be served. All are welcomed.

Special Christmas programs will be presented at the Jail (“Cookies, Crafts and the Claus’s”) and Military Museums (‘Home for the Holidays’) on December 6, 2025 from Noon – 4.

Gen. Lafayette came through Tolland 200 year ago on September 4, 1824. To commemorate this special event and to kick off the beginning of Tolland’s AMERICA 250 celebration events to follow, we will be entertaining the General as we recreate his historic journey through Tolland, Connecticut and America 200 years ago on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, September 6, 7 and 8.

A Tribute to a ‘French Founding Father’

200 years after the Marquis de Lafayette visited New York as part of a nationwide tour, a re-enactor will retrace his steps.

Two hundred years ago this weekend, when the Marquis de Lafayette visited New York — the first stop on a tour that would take him all over the still-young nation — his three-masted packet ship docked first on Staten Island. Lafayette then sailed on to Manhattan the next morning.

Today the organizers of the 200th-anniversary recreation of Lafayette’s trip plan to party like it’s 1824, with costumes and ceremonies commemorating his 6,000-mile tour across 24 states. Even though Lafayette was an old soldier by then — he was 66 when he arrived in New York — his fame had not faded away. He was still revered for fighting in his 20s with George Washington and for helping to force Lord Charles Cornwallis’s surrender at Yorktown.

You’re in luck! Tolland will be joining the likes of NYC, Old Sturbridge Village, the Old State House in Hartford, and other venues, as we celebrate the 200^th anniversary visit of this patriot who fought alongside General Washington to secure our freedom.

This tour will kick off Tolland’s America 250 Celebrations culminating in 2026. Join us.

Antique bottle collector Ben Trowbridge will give a lecture on historic flasks and appraise bottles the public brings in for a donation to the Tolland Historical Society on Sunday, Sept. 10 at 2 p.m. at the Old Tolland County Jail and Museum at 52 Tolland Green.

Trowbridge will have more than 30 historical flasks that each visitor can hold, including some dating to 1820 from Coventry. He will also be giving away a Westford beer bottle. He will also speak about a glass factory in northeastern Connecticut.

Before the talk, numbers will be handed out to the public who would like their own bottles appraised. The appraisals will be done on a first come, first served basis for a donation to the society. All donations will be used to support the society’s museums and programs.

The talk is free, but donations are always appreciated. It will be held in the Jail Museum shed.

The Tolland Historical Society, French Canadian Genealogical Society and other supporters of historic areas are joining with the Tolland Historic District Commission in opposing a plan to install a cement sidewalk on the historic Town Green.
The historically registered Tolland Green was made ADA-accessible during the Route 195 road project, with eight access points. The society supports the full historic experience for all citizens by utilizing these access points to our registered green. The society supports the Historic District Commission in its duly appointed role as stewards, charged to “preserve and protect the distinctive characteristics and appearance of the Tolland Green and the buildings which surround it white respecting the rights and wishes of those who own property within the district…and be administered with common sense.”
The society further supports the maintenance of the existing sidewalks around the perimeter of the Green by leveling and edging stones and repairing the buckled cement as recommended by Crosskey Architects and SHPO (State Historic Preservation Office) in their report to the Town Council. It also supports the use of a temporary mesh sidewalk during events on the green, which the town has already purchased and uses successfully for several events. The society supports previous town council actions to limit the use of the Green for large participation events as prescribed by a town-wide study with State Police input. Common sense and the safety of our citizen is primary.

The Green was the center for early founders, militia exercises, sending our soldiers to war and bringing them home again however they returned. It was the hub for town services before the great sleep in the mid 1800s where the doctors, lawyers, clergyman, blacksmith, innkeepers and shopkeepers were in charge. It was the great turnpike crossroad from New York City to Boston and Springfield to the coast. Later it was a summer destination, then a residential neighborhood still a hub, but now for war rationing and the plane spotters and the air raid center. There were weddings, funerals, and annual homecomings on the Green. Today this quarter mile of registered historic land is our center and the envy of many CT communities and historical groups because Tolland knew and understood its value then and now. This quarter mile long slice of land has breathed with life for 300+ years of Tolland history (longer than any of the aforementioned sites). It is not a ‘thing’; it is the essence of our town. It mourns in our struggles and rejoices in our triumphs. It is our constant in a constantly changing world. It’s 300 years of our people’s story. As Gov. Lamont requests of all 169 towns in his list of 4 pillars for America 250, “a sense of place”. The Green has been Tolland’s sense of place since its establishment over 300 years ago.

“It is the purpose of the Tolland Green Historic District to preserve and protect the distinctive characteristics and appearance of the Tolland Green and the buildings which surround it while respecting the rights and wishes of those who own property within the district. It is the intent of this chapter that the requirements set forth herein be construed with these purposes in mind and be administered with common sense.”

1. The Green is a registered historic site within a registered historic district; at the town, state and federal level, with a Historic District Commission (HDC) that was voted in place by townspeople and duly appointed by the town council. The HDC has statutory responsibilities to protect this historic landmark. 

2. According to state statutes and federal guidelines the town planned sidewalk is considered a “structure” and is clearly in the realm of responsibility of the HDC. Has anyone of authority looked into ADA requirements as they apply to historic sites?

3. The State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) has stated that a sidewalk would constitute a structure on the historic Green.

4. The issue of ADA accessibility and accommodation was addressed with the RT195 road project when 8 access points were added to the Green, exceeding the ADA requirements for access AND allowing all persons to enjoy the essence of the historic Green, to enjoy the historic experience unencumbered, also part of the ADA requirement. A moveable mesh walkway is laid during the season at minimal cost and removed each winter. All people can enjoy this historic treasure.

5. With a municipal sidewalk, the Green will no longer meet the historic definition of an 18-19th Century Green befitting the neighborhood or the historic registration that the town and the neighbors received. Three recent grant applications by the historical society have been negatively impacted financially by the news of this proposal because it shows a lack of respect for the integrity of the historic registration by the local government.

6. Yes, the TC can put a municipal sidewalk anywhere it wants according to one statute, but this is not just any public land, and their reasoning lacks basic common sense.  A fixed walk (rather than the current movable mesh) will interfere with current town-wide programs (Farmer’s Market, Holiday Tree Lighting, Harvest Fest, and Memorial Day Parade, Prom Night photos, Lion’s Club Pancake Breakfasts, TFD Torch Light Parade) which are located in various locations on the Green. Is the town trying to squeeze too much on too little land? There is no safe parking. This sliver of remaining grass is bounded on 2 sides by state highway. Why isn’t our community leadership utilizing our school parking lots and adjacent fields for these community events – away from traffic, safe, plentiful parking, taxpayer funded and maintained.

Tolland is fortunate to have a registered historic landmark where everyone can enjoy the same historic experience. Please join with other historic organizations & neighbors to protect this sliver of hallowed ground, the essence of Tolland. Thank you.

The Historical Society’s Silhouette Fundraiser is Back on Nov 8, 10 to noon.

     The Tolland Historical Society’s popular silhouette fundraiser returns on Saturday, Nov 8, featuring artist Deborah O’Connor.
The sessions for hand-cut silhouettes are by appointment only from 10 a.m. to noon at the Old Tolland County Court House Museum at 53 Tolland Green in Tolland. Appointments are available now and can be made by visiting signupgenius.com and searching for [email protected].
      Each individual child or pet model needs its own slot, so if you are looking to have three different silhouettes made, you will need to sign up for three slots.
      The prices are $30 for a single is silhouette, $15 for each duplicate silhouette, $40 for a 5 x 7 frame that holds one silhouette, $60 for an 8 x 10 frame that holds two to three silhouettes, $10 for a small mat and $20 for a large mat. The Tolland Historical Society will only be accepting cash or checks at the event.
     To see the frames being offered, visit www.thesilhouettelady.com.
There is free parking behind the museum and the event is being held on the second floor.
Anyone with questions can contact Ni-Ni Reinard from the society at [email protected].

The Tolland Historical Society is pleased to announce that it will receive a grant to allow children and one accompanying adult to attend its museums for free from July 1 to Sept. 4 as part of the CT Summer at the Museum program.

Children in Connecticut under age 18 and one adult, who must be a Connecticut resident, can visit the museums for free under the program, which is a partnership of the Connecticut Office of the Arts and Connecticut Humanities. For other visitors, there is a suggested $5 donation when the museums are holding programs.

The museums are the Old Tolland County Jail and Museum at 52 Tolland Green, the Old Tolland County Court House Museum at 53 Tolland Green, the Daniel Benton Homestead Museum at 154 Metcalf Road and the Tolland Military Museum, located behind the Jail Museum. The museums are open Sundays, except for July 2 and Sept. 3, from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.

Appointments are required to visit the Benton Homestead and can be made by sending an email to [email protected].

On Sunday, July 9 from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m., Historical Society Vice President Celeste Senechal and board member Cathy Wilcox will hold a fiber spinning demonstration at the jail museum. There is a suggested $5 donation for the event although children and an accompanying adult can attend for free under the CT Summer at the Museum program.

Calling all 7th through 12th graders: the Tolland Historical Society is looking for interested teens for its Student Intern Program at the Old Tolland County Jail & Museum at 52 Tolland Green. If you’d like more information or just want to look around contact Kathy Bach at 860.872.7716 or [email protected].

Through the program, you can learn all aspects of a working museum, how to accession historic artifacts, design displays and even give museum tours to the public.

Interns participate in Sunday events and conduct research on Tolland history. They earn community services hours and a reference letter.

Interns typically volunteer three to six hours a week with other students.

It’s fun!

Interested students and their parents can contact Museum Director Kathy Bach at 860-872-7716 or by email at [email protected].

Here’s another fascinating talk coming up on June 11 that’s sponsored by the Tolland Historical Society.

The Tolland Historical Society will host a talk about collecting antique bottles on Sunday, June 11 that will feature collector Ben Trowbridge of Tolland.

Each visitor will receive a circa 1900 bottle and a second bottle each if more than 50 people attend the talk, which is set for 2 p.m. in the shed area of the Old Tolland County Jail and Museum at 52 Tolland Green in Tolland.

Trowbridge will discuss local bottles of interest from Coventry, Willington and the Westford village in Ashford. He will also discuss the value of antique bottles and show audience members how to quickly determine the age of almost any bottle.

Trowbridge, who says that collecting antique bottles is a fun hobby, will also provide a free appraisal of one bottle per visitor.

The talk is free, but donations to support the Historical Society are always appreciated.

Thank you to Tolland resident Richard N. Symonds, Jr. for his informative talk on Sunday June 4 about the historic water-powered mills in town.

The public is invited to celebrate the seasonal opening of two of the Tolland Historical Society’s museums at its Museums on the Green Reception on Friday, June 2 from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m.

Come learn about our exhibits and the events we’re planning for this summer, and consider become a member of the Society.

The reception will be held simultaneously at the Old Tolland County Jail and Museum at 52 Tolland Green and the Old Tolland County Court House Museum at 53 Tolland Green. At the court house, there will be complimentary wine, cheese and seltzers while the jail will be serving fruit, sweets, lemonade and iced tea.

The reception is free, but donations to support the Society are always welcome.