Connecticut history

The Museum of CT History collects and exhibits artifacts from our state’s history. These artifacts always relate to a person, place, or event that helps us understand the past.

• Who were the people who have made Connecticut home over the years?
• What were their experiences?
• Where in Connecticut did they live, work, and play?

Explore stories about the people, places, and things that make up Connecticut’s rich history.

James Williams was born enslaved in Yonkers, NY. After years at sea traveling the world, he settled in Hartford, CT. His over 50 years of employment at Trinity College earned him the  affectionate title “Professor Jim.”

William Grimes was born into slavery and escaped when he was 30 years old. He became the first formerly enslaved person to write about their experience when he published an autobiography in 1825.

Connecticut has had 87 individuals serve as governor, from its days as a colony to the present. The Museum has portraits of 73 Connecticut governors on display in Memorial Hall.

Each governor experienced a unique set of challenges and opportunities while in office. The CT State Library has many resources that help us understand the service of Connecticut's governors.