The majority of the museum and library collections were donated as gifts.
The Historical Society occasionally purchases items from auctions, antique dealers, or private donors but the majority of the collections are given to the museum through the generous donations of local patrons. It is through this continued patronage that the collections are able to grow.
Each donation helps the society grow.
With each donation the Historical Society is able to improve its interpretation of Litchfield’s past through exhibits, programs, and research. If you would like to support our efforts to care for and preserve the collections, donations can be made to the preservation and acquisition funds. Contact the Historical Society to learn more.
Your donation will be properly cared for and preserved in perpetuity for future generations.
The Historical Society provides an environmentally-controlled, secure storage and exhibit environment for its collections. The staff of the museum and library is professionally trained with advanced degrees in their fields of study. Please visit our online collection databases to see how your donation is made accessible to others.
Please contact us if you are interested in learning more about our collections, or have materials to donate. Our Curator and Archivist are happy to discuss with you whether your items are appropriate for our collection.
For 3-D objects and artwork, contact the Curator at curator@litchfieldhistoricalsociety.org. For books, papers, photos and other paper items, contact the Archivist at archivist@litchfieldhistoricalsociety.org or fill out this Google Form
You may also call us at (860) 567-4501.
Download our Collection Donation Brochure (PDF, 1MB).