Museum Schedule
Our hours are Thursdays 10am to noon and 2pm to 4pm and on the second and fourth Sundays from 2pm to 4pm. We are also open by appointment. You can contact us for research assistance by phone, 860-875-4326 or by email, vernonhs@sbcglobal.net.
*In case of inclement weather, closing information will be shared here and on our Facebook page.
Support our Town's Celebration of the 250th Anniversary!
Click here to learn more about the project. Please consider supporting this special event.
VHS Grants & Fund Raiser
Historic House Sign Program Returns!
cultivated the fields that are now suburbs?
Window Restoration Grant is Complete!
The windows in our home in the historic Vernon Grange have been restored to their original beauty, thanks to a matching grant from the State Historic Preservation Office. Now our windows are not only beautiful but they are better sealed and will allow us to save on energy costs.
Our contractors Proulx & Sons did a wonderful job. Thanks to Bob Hurd for preparing the plans for the project.
VHS Reaches our Goal for Digitizing Microfilm of Historic Papers!
To read more about this project, click here
To view the Thank You to our Donors, click here
VHS Receives a Grant from the Rockville Community Bank Foundation for Digitization Project
The Rockville Community Bank Foundation recently awarded a grant of $10,000 to the newspaper digitization project. With this grant we have reached our fund raising goal to have the microfilm of our local newspapers sent to New England Micrographics for digitization. We appreciate the support for our project. Rockville Bank was long known as a community minded institution and the Foundation continues to honor this mission.
VHS Receives Grant from the Connecticut Professional Genealogists Council
The CPGC established the Donna Fund in honor of Donna Siemiakoski, their first president. The award is given to local libraries and historical societies that preserve genealogical records and make them available to the public.
CPGC chose our digitization project because it aligns with their interest in records preservation and access. They were impressed that much of the work is being accomplished by a team of dedicated volunteers.
The Donna Fund Award of $2000 was presented to the Vernon Historical Society on October 17th by Treasurer Kathyrn Black and member Christopher Klemmer.
Mission Statement
The Vernon Historical Society is a volunteer operated, non-profit organization. The purpose of the Society is to create interest and activity in the field of local history.
The Museum building serves as a repository for a variety of collected materials that are available to the general public for research.
These collections aid historians, genealogists, and interested citizens in research, and provide source materials for exhibits, publications and programs.
During Museum hours, volunteers are present to answer questions and provide access to collected materials.
Get Some CT History with Your Morning Coffee!
A new story from our state's history can appear in your email when you subscribe to Today In Connecticut History brought to you by the Office of the State Historian. Click here to learn more and start your subscription today!
Upcoming Events
2025 Programs & Activities
Saturday, July 26th at 10am. Old Burial Ground on Bamforth Road (Rain date Sunday 7/27-10am)
"Stories from the Old Burial Ground"
This walking tour of one of oldest cemeteries in town will be led by Museum Director Jean Luddy. Learn about early settlers and recognize the names of farming families in North Bolton- Vernon's name when the congregation was established on the hills overlook Hartford in the 1760s. Several men buried here answered the Lexington Alarm in the early days of the American Revolution. See examples of gravestone art and imagery. Tour should last about an hour. Wear comfortable shows. Park in the field in front of the cemetery.
Sunday, August 17th from 2pm to 4pm. Vernon Historical Society, 734 Hartford Tpke, Vernon
Exhibit Opening
"Postcards from World War II"
The Vernon History is commemorating the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II by opening an exhibit entitled “Postcards from World War II” on Sunday August 17th from 2pm to 4pm at 734 Hartford Tpke, Vernon. Over 130 postcards sent by local residents serving in the military to Stephen Von Euw, the editor of the Rockville Journal, will be on display. Von Euw saved letters, postcards, documents, press releases and posters from the war years. The Vou Euw collection contains correspondence and materials from over 700 people who served in the war.
The postcards on display include photographs of military training facilities and views of scenic places in the United States. Postcards from overseas came from areas that were near locations of military campaigns. One set of postcards shows the humorous side of adjusting to life in the military.
In addition to the postcard exhibit, a special display will honor the wartime service of Rockville native, Army Air Corp. 1st Lieut. Noel Kloter. Kloter’s family recently donated his restored bomber jacket. The donation also included military documents and photographs as well as a telegram announcing his first child’s birth in 1944 while he was stationed in England. This display serves as an example of the experiences of one that reflects the reality of many who fought in the armed forces during the Second World War.
The postcard exhibit and Kloter display are free and open to the public. They will be on display at the Vernon Historical Society during its regular hours of operation: Thursdays from 10-12 and from 2-4 and on the second and 4th Sundays from 2pm to 4pm.
Saturday, August 23rd at 10am
Rockville's Northeast Suburb
VHS member Don Sierakowski will lead another in the series of "Know Your Neighborhood" walking tours about the famous (and not so famous) residents of Rockville and Vernon through the years. This walk will center on the Northeast Rockville Neighborhood: its resident mill workers, Congressman, and trolley transit oriented development of the early 20th century. Meet and park on Hale Street.
Sunday, September 21st. 2pm.
VHS 734 Hartford Tpke.
A First Lady Comes to Vernon: Meet Abigail Adams
Learn about Abigail Adams, 2nd First Lady of the newly formed United States and the mother of John Quincey Adams, the 6th President. Presenter, Sheryl Faye, will begin with Adams as an adult. Following a flashback to her childhood, she will conclude with Adams as an adult reflecting on a remarkable life.
New Publication on Local Trolley Line
A Glimpse of the Stafford Springs Street Railway Company by local historian Richard Symonds, Jr.
Symonds' book covers the history of the trolley line from construction in 1907 to discontinuation in 1928. Using topographical maps and vintage postcards, he reveals the locations of the stops along the line. Assisted by researcher Greg Gunn, Symonds consulted a variety of sources and people to answer questions about the Stafford to Rockville line. Trolleys are a vanished mode of transportation that is fondly remembered.
The book is available at the Vernon Historical Society for $10.
Digitizing Our Local Newspapers
Click here to learn more about this project and how to donate.
Tolland County Journal: 1867-1884
Rockville Journal: 1885-1899 and 1911-1968
Rockville Leader: 1902, 1908, 1910, 1919-1964
Tri-Town Reporter: 1973-1984
Newspaper project video- Our friends at the Community Voice Channel came to VHS for a "Behind the Scenes" look at the digitization project. Click here to view the video. Many thanks to Sara and Melanie from CVC for producing this film!
VHS Video Productions
“Rockville High School:150 Years of Excellence and Community"
The RHS lecture was filmed by our friends at the Community Voice Channel. It can be viewed by clicking here.
"Remembering World War II” - Video
In October 2021 the successful premier of the video production of “Boosting Our Morale:
Soldiers’ Letters to the Rockville Journal During World War II” occurred. The video consisted of readings from letters written to the editor of the Rockville Journal during the War by local men and women in service. Members of the Rockville High School Drama Club read the letters accompanying the film.
For those who could not attend, the film is available on the Society’s YouTube page.
Click here to follow the link
VHS Virtual Fall Program “Goes Live”
“History in Plain Sight: Monuments & Memorials in Vernon Connecticut” a special video presentation will serve as our Fall Program for 2020.
The video is available at the Society’s You Tube page. Go to youtube.com. Then search for Vernon Historical Society or use this link. https://youtu.be/3gKPPRwof4g
Click here for a map of the locations featured. in the video.
The video was created with the assistance of VHS volunteers and members of the community. M5Digital Technologies donated their time to assemble the images and voiceover recordings into a finished film.
“History in Plain Sight: Monuments & Memorials in Vernon Connecticut” was designed to highlight places in town with historic significance. Another purpose for the film was to encourage viewers to visit these places, in effect combining education with exercise.
You have your assignment. Watch the film. Then go find the places.
The Art of Gustave Hoffman (1869-1945)
An exhibit of the etchings by local artist Gustave Hoffman is on display at the Museum. The pieces were collected by Michael Sharon and donated in honor of this parents, Dr. Michael and Jean Sharon.
Click here for a short video about this special exhibit.
Finding Aids for selected VHS collections included
in Connecticut's Archives Online Database.
Support Our Sponsors!
These organizations help the Society by placing business card ads in our newsletter. The VHS thanks these businesses and organizations for their support.
