Upcoming events

The Museum of Connecticut History at the Connecticut State Library announces a new exhibit commemorating the nation’s 250^th anniversary. Connecticut’s Revolution explores the ideas and experiences of the people who made history: Connecticut’s soldiers and statesmen, Patriots and Loyalists, painters and printers, farmers and sailors—men, women, and children from America, Europe, and Africa. To try to see the world through their eyes, the Museum of Connecticut History’s exhibit team has drawn on the tens of thousands of documents and objects in the Connecticut State Library’s museum, archival, and printed materials collections. Some of these materials make it possible to retell old stories in new ways, others make it possible to recover previously untold stories. Taken together, they reveal how Connecticut changed during this revolutionary time and how Connecticut, in turn, changed the world.

 

On "First Wednesdays" at noon, the Museum of CT History staff will offer guided tours of the Connecticut's Revolution exhibit! Tours will last approximately 30 minutes; guests may stay after to explore the exhibit at their own pace. Admission is free!

Upcoming dates:

Wednesday, November 4, 2026 @ noon
Wednesday, December 2, 2026 @ noon
Wednesday, January 6, 2027 @ noon
Wednesday, February 3, 2027 @ noon
Wednesday, March 3, 2027 @ noon
Wednesday, April 7, 2027 @ noon
Wednesday, May 5, 2027 @ noon
Wednesday, June 2, 2027 @ noon

Sign up for a First Wednesday Guided Tour!

 

On the third Thursday of every month, the Museum of Connecticut History will welcome guest curators into the Connecticut's Revolution exhibit to share their expertise. Gallery talks are free and open to the public and expected to last 30-45 minutes. Drop-ins are welcome, but registration is kindly requested using this link.

Thursday, November 19, 2026 at noon will be our first Third Thursday Gallery Talk. Guest curator Ellery Thomas Leary will present about "People of the Redding Encampment" in the 1778/1779 section of the exhibit, where archaeological artifacts from Putnam Memorial Park are currently on display. Leary, a historian, archaeologist, and museum professional, has worked for seven seasons as an Interpretive Guide at Putnam Memorial State Park, where they still serve as the volunteer Park Historian.

Register for a Third Thursday Gallery Talk

Join us on Saturday, November 21, 2026, for our next Family Saturday sponsored by Data-Mail!

Visitors are welcome throughout the day at no charge for this special Veterans Day-themed event, which will include:

• A talk by Dr. David Naumec, Historian and Museum Manager of Historic Stonington about battlefield archaeology
• A demonstration by Matthew Novosad, Re-enactor, President of the Franklin Historical Society, and Franklin, CT’s Town Historian about a Revolutionary War soldier’s equipment
• Make a holiday card for hospitalized and isolated veterans
• Add a veteran’s name to our wall of honor

On Family Saturdays, the parking lot at 340 Capitol Ave. (corner of Oak St. and Capitol Ave.) will be available at no charge. The parking lot is a quick walk to the main entrance of the Museum of CT History, located at 231 Capitol Ave. in Hartford. 

The Museum of Connecticut History, located at the Connecticut State Library, hosted its sixth year of “Hiking Through History" from May through October 2026. Each tour was led by Museum Curator Patrick Smith, who conducts extensive research to select locations that offer a mixture of scenic beauty, interesting history, and fascinating legends and lore. Stay tuned for information about the 2027 program locations and dates. For more details, or to schedule a private Hiking Through History tour, please contact Patrick Smith at Patrick.j.smith@ct.gov or by phone at 860-757-6534.

Connecticut women contributed to the American Revolutionary effort politically, economically, intellectually, and even militarily. Using original sources like newspapers, court records, letters, and pension records, Dr. Katherine Hermes, publisher of Connecticut Explored magazine, will show how Indigenous, Anglo-European, and African-descended women all helped to further the Patriot cause.