Known as the Western Reserve, once upon a time a substantial portion of Ohio belonged to Connecticut. The acreage was part of the original land grant given to Connecticut by the British monarchy dating back to the 1600s. When Connecticut gave up its claim to most of the land stretching westward to the Pacific Ocean, […]

We invite you to join us for an unforgettable evening with Kevin Johnson, a living history performer, as he vividly brings to life the struggles of an African American soldier who served during the Civil War. Private William Riley Webb, a native of Hartford, was an actual soldier who was recruited in 1863 and served […]

Between 2012 and 2015, the Library of Congress commissioned acclaimed documentary photographer Carol M. Highsmith to travel Connecticut in order to permanently capture images of the state’s iconic places and cultural treasures as they appeared at the beginning of the 21st century. Highsmith asked state historian emeritus Walter W. Woodward to help her identify Connecticut’s […]

Presented by Ranger Bill Reid of the Last Green Valley. Join us as we welcome Ranger Bill Reid of the Last Green Valley back to Canterbury to share with us an update on the status of the bald eagles that live in our town and surrounding area. With abundant rivers, lakes and ponds The Last […]

Presented by Walter Banhaf. On January 6th, 1969, a 118-foot research vessel named the R/V Sea Surveyor departed Groton, CT on a testing mission for the United States Navy. The mission was routine: Sail from Electric Boat, rendezvous with a submarine, conduct tests, return home but she never made it to her destination and never […]

For the program portion of our February meeting, we're once again inviting our Historical Society members & friends to bring a favorite treasure (antique or collectible) to share with everyone. In the past this program has always been very popular and we've seen everything from 'popcorn' plagues to antique woodworking tools to Canterbury maps to […]

Presented by Laurie Masciandaro, Site Manager at Historic New England’s Roseland Cottage. Roseland Cottage is a landmark example of Gothic Revival architecture, and was a fitting summer home to wealthy businessman Henry Bowen, his wife Lucy Tappan, and their growing family. This presentation will focus on the unique charms and stories of the fabled Pink […]

Presented by the Eastern Connecticut Paranormal Society. A very interesting - and historically different - evening featuring an in-depth paranormal investigation and associated historical research into a long-standing family from the town that has been making themselves known in the south Canterbury area. Co-founded in February 2016 by David Bray and Chris O'Connor, the Eastern […]

Presented by David Malloy, moderator of the Facebook group of the same name. David presented some of the colonial stone carvers whose work can be found in cemeteries all over New England including those in Canterbury and the surrounding towns. Very rarely did any of the early carvers sign their work so the only carver […]

Presented by Rick & Dawn of Catfeather Music. Much of the American Popular Music industry was centered around the Brill Building at 1619 Broadway in NYC, home to 165 music businesses including composter, lyricists, recording studios, performers and publishers responsible for some of the most memorable pop music ever created. This program features some of […]

Presented by Richard Franklin Donohue, Cromwell Town Historian. The J & E Stevens Company was formed in 1843 by brothers John and Elisha Stevens in Cromwell intending to manufacture cast-iron hardware, hammers, and a few iron toys but eventually they became the largest manufacturer of cast-iron toys in the country. Producing their first cast-iron mechanical […]

CHS Members and Friends shared interesting items from their home collections.

Presented by former State Troubadour Tom Callinan. Drawing on his extensive repertoire of folk songs, sea songs, chanteys, and popular songs and tunes from a variety of times and places, Tom has constructed a program of diverse songs from and about the Civil War period. Presented in conjunction with the good folks at CT Humanities, […]

Presented by Rick & Dawn of Catfeather Music. A lighthearted look at America's motivation to be “on the move” from one place to another, and about the many modes of transportation we’ve used in getting from here to there. The presentation included traditional and modern songs about travel by just about every different mode imaginable […]

Presented by author Zachary Lamothe. There will be a brief business session at 7:00 pm, followed by the program at about 7:30 & then refreshments.Free and open to the public. Bring a friend. Meet author Zachary Lamothe as he presents Connecticut Lore: Strange, Off Kilter and Full of Surprises, as the program at the November monthly meeting […]

Presented by actor Campbell Harmon. There will be a brief business session at 7:00 pm, followed by the program & refreshments. Free and open to the public. Bring a friend. Just in time for the Halloween season, we cordially invite you to spend a very special evening with Edgar Allan Poe, as the author and […]

Presented by Georg Papp, Sr. of the Bull Hill Workshop in Colchester, Connecticut. George educated us on everything you ever wanted to know about outhouses but were afraid to ask! Always promising an entertaining and enjoyable program, Mr. Papp has crafted quality outhouses since prior to the turn of the century, restored many others, and […]