The Tolland Historical Society is pleased to announce the opening of a new museum at 749 Tolland Stage Road, adding to the cultural vitality of the Tolland Green neighborhood.
The Tolland Military Museum will include the extensive private collection of Richard J. Provencher of Ashford, a retired Connecticut National Guard member and former commander of the American Legion Post 14 and the Tolland VFW. The collection features several military campaigns, including World War I, World War II, the Korean War, the Vietnam War and Operation Desert Storm.
The Town of Tolland has long supported military members and their families. Recently, the town council voted to lease the “barn” (the former resident state troopers’ office behind the Old Tolland County Jail and Museum) for purposes of a museum. This building was originally built as part of the Tolland County jail system, consisting of the jail, the barn and 100 acres of farmland where Tolland Middle School now sits. The most recognizable sight on the property today is the jail museum at 52 Tolland Green.
The Tolland Military Museum will open from noon to 3 p.m. on Sunday, May 27, the same day the Tolland Memorial Day Parade will be held, beginning at 1 p.m. along the Tolland Green.
The museum will be open seasonally May thru September and will have programs on Veterans Day in honor of veterans across the state. Admission is free, but donations are always appreciated.
For more information, please contact Mary-Pat Soucy from the Tolland Military Museum, at Tollandmilitarymuseum@gmail.comor at 860-803-0034 or Kathy Bach, president of the historical society, at kwbach@gmail.comor at 860-416-7030.
Some of the artifacts that will be on display in the new Tolland Military Museum
More artifacts from the Richard J. Provencher collection
Collector Richard J. Provencher, at right, with U.S. Rep. Joe Courtney
