Litchfield History Museum
THE LITCHFIELD HISTORY MUSEUM invites visitors to explore the evolution of a small New England town. Furniture, historic clothing, household objects and paintings reveal Litchfield's history from its earliest European settlement to the present day. The museum's seven galleries highlight family life and work during the fifty years after the American Revolution, a time when Litchfield was a bustling commercial, political, and educational center. Hands-on areas help visitors discover the town's past.
Exhibitions
- The Hour of Conflict
The exhibit examines the ways in which the American Civil War impacted the residents of Litchfield, Connecticut in the 1860s. The exhibit will also incorporate hands-on activities and the opportunity to experience camp life as Litchfield's men did more than a century and a half ago. Students of the Litchfield Montessori School acted as Junior Curators to research, design, and create a special portion of the exhibition. Open April 21, 2012 through December 1, 2013.
- Goods for Sale! Cash, Credit, and Trade in Litchfield, 1790-1850
This exhibition will focus on the tradesmen and craftsmen who were working in Litchfield from the end of the Revolutionary War until the middle of the 19th century. The show will illustrate the wealth of the community, the business it supported and the changes that occurred in the mid 19th century that saw Litchfield transition from a populous and active community to a small, remote town. Open April 17, 2010 through November 27, 2011. - Litchfield: Colonial Revival Town
This is a small online exhibit showcasing Litchfield's town green. The exhibit includes several etchings and early photographs from the Historical Society's collections that depict the green throughout the town's history. The Litchfield exhibit is part of towngreens.com, a site dedicated to the history of town greens throughout Connecticut. - Previous Exhibits at the Litchfield History Museum
Collections
There are two ways to learn about the collections online. To read a description, go to Scope of the Collections. To view images, choose Highlights of the Collections.