The Norfolk Historical Society
13 Village Green
Norfolk, CT 06058
860-542-5761
The
Norfolk Historical Society Museum
Hours: Sat - Sun, 12-4 (June 6 - Oct 11)
First Thurs of the Month 1-5 (Nov - May)
Open by appointment anytime.
The Museum is housed in the old Norfolk Academy, built in 1840, later used as the Town Hall and Jail, and located on the Norfolk Village Green.
For more information about Norfolk, Connecticut, please visit:
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Since 1960, the Norfolk Historical Society has been preserving our town's unique history and caring for our rich collection of artifacts and documents.
Come see a wonderful
display of objects from everyday life - many manufactured in Norfolk, CT
Browse the Country Store
or view one of our seasonal, award-winning exhibitions.
The Country Store Exhibit
1819 William Rice tavern sign
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2009 Exhibition
"Of African and Princely descent"
Norfolk's Black History
The Black history of a town is often an unwritten one. In 1900, however, Theron Crissey devoted a chapter in his History of Norfolk to some of the town's Black citizens. Taking its title from the marble gravestone that townsfolk placed at Aunt Bilhah Freedom's grave in 1871, this exhibition chronicles African-American life in Norfolk.
Meet Jupiter and Fanny Mars whose flight to freedom was told by their son James Mars in his autobiography, dramatically narrated in a special audio presentation; Sam Smith, employed by Robbins Battell as his farmer and known throughout town as a musician; Wealthy Ann Prime whose great-grandmother Mum Bett's suit for freedom helped abolish slavery in Massachusetts; and Aunt Bilhah Freedom, celebrated for her cooking, especially her gingerbread.
The exhibition explores abolition activities in Norfolk and the operation of the Underground Railroad. Visitors are challenged to find the secret door to an Underground Railroad hiding space in a special installation. In recognition of the bicentennial of Abraham Lincoln's birth, a rare image dating from his 1860 presidential campaign is on display.
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Historic Barn Tour and Dance
A Benefit for the Norfolk Historical Society
Saturday, July 25, 2009
Five historic barns open to tour 4:00 - 7:00 P.M.
Dance follows at 7:00 P.M.
Country Dinner ~ Cash Bar ~ Casual Attire
Music by The Chaparelles
Tickets $75
Call 860-542-5761
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2009 Summer Programs
July 25 Historic Barn Tour
4:00 P.M. to 7:00 P.M.
Barn Dance at 7:00 P.M.
Aug. 8 African American Graves in Center
Cemetery
Meet at the Museum at 11:00 A.M.
Sept. 5 A Walk to Slab City
Meet at the Museum at 10:00 A.M.
Sept. 26 A Visit to the Ashley House and Mum Bett Exhibit, Sheffield, MA
Meet at the Museum at 1:30 P.M.
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Full of surprising images, this book is an elegant pictorial history of Norfolk printed in vintage color in a limited edition of 500 hard-bound copies. Order yours today!
Book Order Form
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Marie Kendall’s Glimpses of Norfolk (1900) is a 40-page booklet of photogravures which features her pictures of the town at the turn of the 20th century. Buttermilk Falls, Tobey Pond, and farm scenes are interspersed with collages of buildings such as the Norfolk Library and the Eldridge Gymnasium. In addition, Kendall took photographs of the fine summer residences that had just been built, each image framed by elaborate tracery in which is embedded the name of the house or its owner.
We are pleased to be able to offer a reprint of this volume for $10.
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The Life of James Mars
A Slave
Born and Sold in Norfolk, Connecticut
Learn about James Mars, Norfolk's role in the Underground Railroad, and the African American Freedom Trail. For more information about James Mars and other books documenting the history of Norfolk, please browse through our merchandise. |
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The Little Red School House was once the North Middle School, pictured here around 1890. |
The Little Red School House
This school house, located on Bald Mountain Road, Norfolk, CT is a fully furnished and authentic school house from the 19th century. Tours available by appointment only.
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Books:
Picturing Norfolk 1758 -1958
...$75 ($60 members)
The Magnificent Battells: An Architectural Legacy...$25 (hardcover)
Alfredo Taylor in Norfolk .... $15 (pbk), $25 (hardcover)
Norfolk, CT 1900-1975 ...... $20
Centennial, The Norfolk Volunteer Fire Department .... $15
Glimpses of Norfolk, reprint ... $10
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Pamphlets:
Our Town ... $3
The Life of James Mars ... $2
What's in a Name, reprint .... $5
Please add a $5.00 shipping and handling charge to all orders ($10 for Picturing Norfolk) and make checks payable to the Norfolk Historical Society. Orders can be placed by mail at 13 Village Green P.O. Box 288, Norfolk, CT 06058, phone 860-542-5761, or email:
norfolkhistorical@sbcglobal.net
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Phone: 860-542-5761
Mail: 13 Village Green, P.O. Box 288
Norfolk, CT 06058
Email: norfolkhistorical@sbcglobal.net |
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Membership Year: June 1 - May 31
Membership Categories:
Family and Friends $10 - $25, Supporting $50 - $75
Sustaining $100 - $300, Patron $500
To become a member please send a check payable to
The Norfolk Historical Society, P.O. Box 288 Norfolk, CT 06058
Dues are tax-deductible and all members will receive a newsletter and notices of future meetings and special events.
Alfredo Taylor in Norfolk
by Ann Havemeyer and Robert Dance
This book includes over 50 illustrations of Alfredo Taylor's Norfolk work, featured in historic postcards, family photographs, blueprints, and Taylor drawings. Available in softcover for $15 and hardcover for $25.
The Magnificent Battells
by Ann Havemeyer and Robert Dance
Norfolk's leading family for over 150 years improved nearly every aspect of the fabric of this rural village. Not content to embellish their own estates, these benefactors built or adapted a wide variety of marvelous structures for community use. Full of historic photographs and including a beautiful reproduction of Battell Chapel's Tiffany stained glass windows, this handsome cloth-bound volume documents the lives and works of four generations of a remarkable family. Order your copy today.
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