• ~Clinton Historical Society News ~
   

  The Clinton Historical Society's 350 members work to heighten the awareness of history. We provide educational opportunities to all who appreciate and are fascinated with history, especially Clinton's, in a variety of ways and venues. Join us this spring and summer for some of the many activities our society offers the shoreline community.

   

  The CHS Museum Room

   

  The fully renovated CHS Museum Room tells the story of Clinton through exhibits, artifacts and film. The Society's summer exhibit is based on the history of baseball in Clinton. The museum, located in the Andrews Memorial Town Hall on E. main Street, is open on Thursday afternoons from 4:00 to 6:00 and by appointment. For additional information, contact Michelle at (860) 664-1771.

   

  The Elisha White House

   

  The 1750 Elisha White House, fondly known as Old Brick, is furnished with quilts, antique furniture, paintings and toys. It is the oldest brick house between New Haven and New London and is located on E. Main Street in Clinton. The Elisha White Gift Shop sells a variety of maps, candles, nature pottery, reproduction colonial toys and art prints.

  
  Visiting hours are from 2:oo to 4:00 on Saturday afternoons beginning in May or by appointment. For additional information contact Megan at (860) 669-2817. House tours are free of charge.

   

  The Buell Tool Museum

   

  The Buell Tool Museum, located on the grounds of the CHS,houses early tools and machines once used by the Buell family whose ancesters were amoung Clinton's first settlers. Children and adults can try their hand at grinding corn, drilling wood and sifting grain. The tool museum is open on Saturday afternoons from 2:00 to 4:00.

   

  The George Flynn Historical Library

   

  The George Flynn Library, the society's research facility, maintains and preserves documents, genealogical material, photographs, diaries, books and papers from and about Clinton. Open year round on Wednesdays from 9:00 to 12:00 and by appointment. For additional information contact the library at (860) 669-2651.

   

  CHS Flower Gardens

   

  The meticulously maintained herb and flower gardens include plants that served as staples for colonial kitchens and households. In addition to plants, the garden has a variety of flowering trees and shrubs. The CHS grounds and garden are open everyday.

   

  The Unilever Collection

   

  This past February,Unilever donated its Chesebrough Pond's Historical Archive to the CHS. The more than 150 boxes contain a wealth of information that documents the history of Unilever and Chesebrough Ponds.

  The archive contains photographs, maps, blueprints, posters and advertisements. In addition to historical documents, the archive contains an early still that was used to produce witch hazel, as well as hundreds of products that were produced in Clinton. Please contact the Flynn Library at (860) 669-2651 if you are interested in using this collection for research.

   

  ~ Spring and Summer CHS Events ~

   

  Memorial Day Plant and Bake Sale

   

  On Monday, May 26th from 9:00 to 2:00, the society will hold it's annual Memorial Day plant and bake sale on the grounds of The Elisha White House. A wide variety of annual and perennial plants, culinary herbs, flowering tress and shrubs will be for sale at reasonably prices. In addition to plants, home baked goods and gifts will be available throughout the day. This is the society's biggest fundraiser of the year and one of its most popular.

   

  Connecticut Open House Day

   

  The Clinton Historical Society will participate in the 3rd annual state wide CT Open House Day on Saturday, June 14th from 12:00 to 4:00. On that date visitors will have an opportunity to take a guided tour of the Elisha White House, Buell Tool Museum, Flynn Library and gardens. There will be colonial toys and games for children and refreshments will be served.

~Annual Events ~

• Several programs, all open to the public, have become Historical Society traditions.

• Lantern-lit Ghost Walks along historic Main Street stop at houses still inhabited by ghosts!
  
  
• Our Christmas Luncheons play host to all who appreciate good food and good cheer at a festively-decorated “Old Brick.”
  
  
• Christmas in Clinton – Along with the rest of Main Street, the CHS opens its house for tours and refreshments.
  
  
• The spring-time Potluck Supper/Annual Meeting finds new, old, and prospective Society members feasting and frolicking (and meeting, too) at Town Hall.
  
  
• Our Memorial Day Plant and Bake Sale has both gardeners and gourmands lining up for locally-grown, hearty plants and scrumptious goodies.