The Townshend Historical Society is dedicated to researching and preserving the history of the town of Townshend. The society has published a local history book, and also works with local schools in order to create innovative ways to study history.
The society offers presentations and school programs. The website offers general information regarding the society.
The Daniel Webster Birthplace State Historic Site is associated with the birth and early childhood years of Daniel Webster, one of the country's most respected orators and statesmen. While the site affords a view of the early years of Daniel Webster, it also provides a glimpse of 1700s farm life in the infant years of the United States.
The site offers tours, educational programs, and living history programs and events.
Visitors to the site can receive an interactive history lesson at the visitor's center, or just walk the Fort and ramparts for a view of the Thames River. The fort contains informative markers and displays, a touchable cannon and artillery crew display, and gun emplacements. The fort interior features 19th-century restored living quarters, a mock laboratory, and a 1950s era office furnished to resemble a research and development lab at the facility. The visitor center contains state-of-the-art multimedia theaters, computer touch-screen interactive exhibits, 3-D models, and extensive graphics and text panels. The center depicts over 225 years of military history and technological advances from the Revolutionary War to the Cold War. Some of the main display themes include the September 6, 1781 attack by the British under the command of Benedict Arnold, the U-boat menace during World War II, and the anti-submarine efforts during the Cold War.
A second website for the site, maintained by the Friends of Fort Trumbull, can be found here.
The site offers short films, exhibits, tours, and occasional recreational and educational events.
The Essex Ship Building Museum chronicles the history of the most successful industry in the town of Essex, the shipbuilding industry, and the history of Essex more generally.
The museum offers educational programs, guided tours, professional development for teachers, occasional presentations, and evening classes on a variety of topics. The website offers visitor information, information regarding all programs offered by the museum, and a calendar of events.
The Barnum Museum presents the history of Bridgeport, Connecticut, particularly as related to the life of P. T. Barnum (1810-1891), the force behind one of the United States' primary circus enterprises. Exhibit topics include an Egyptian mummy, 19th-century Bridgeport life, the American tour of Swedish opera star Jenny Lind (1820-1887), and the life of Tom Thumb (died 1883). The museum also contains a 1,000-square-foot carved circus model and a reconstruction of one of Barnum's libraries, including the original furnishings.
The museum offers lectures, self-guided tours, guided tours, concerts, lectures, teacher workshops, a slide presentation, interactive educational programming in compliance with state educational standards, and an outreach slide presentation about the life of P. T. Barnum.
The Beckley Iron Furnace once produced iron for the manufacture of railroad car wheels. It is Connecticut's best preserved example of a technology that has long since vanished.
A second website for the site, maintained by the Friends of Beckley, can be found here.
The site offers tours.
Woodlawn Museum is a historic home, containing its original furnishings. Collections include both European and American art, furniture, carriages, and sleighs. Completed in 1827, Woodlawn housed a major area timber and land dealing family.
The museum offers guided tours, period rooms, free croquet lessons, an annual lecture series, a hands-on historic game library, and gardens. All special events include children's activities. Reservations are required for school tours. Picnic lunches are welcome on grounds. The website offers children's activities.
The Isham-Terry House is a time capsule of genteel life in turn-of-the century Hartford. Dr. Oliver Isham bought the 1854 Italianate Villa in 1896. Here he had his physician's office and lived with his sisters Julia and Charlotte. Julia and Charlotte occupied the house until the 1970s, defying the urban renewal juggernaut that demolished so many historic homes. The sisters made so few changes and modernizations to the house that crossing its threshold today is like stepping back in time. Room after room is filled with objects of historical and family significance: ornate gaslight fixtures; stained-glass windows; rare books and paintings; Connecticut-made clocks; and memorabilia from Hartford High School, the Ishams' alma mater. Even Dr. Isham's office, with surgical instruments and medicines, was left undisturbed. Dr. Isham also possessed a rare collection of early Connecticut automobile memorabilia.
The house offers exhibits and tours.
The History Center of Stamford presents the history of Stamford, Connecticut. To this end, the society operates a research library, archives, an exhibition gallery, and the circa 1765 Hoyt Barnum House. This residence was home to the children or grandchildren of Stamford's founders. Furnishings date to the 17th and 18th centuries.
The center offers exhibits, library access, and period rooms. The Hoyt Barnum House is open by appointment. The website offers a selection of historical images and a virtual tour of the Hoyt Barnum House.
Holyoke Heritage State Park is located in Holyoke, Massachusetts, and preserves the area's unique industrial history. By the mid 19th century, Holyoke was home to 50 cotton mills and 4.5 miles of canals. Today, the park is home to a visitor center and children's museum.
The park offers exhibits and presentations in the visitor center, field trip programs, outreach programs, and guided tours. The website offers a brief history of Holyoke and visitors information.