• ~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) 669-2148. 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) 669-2148.

   

  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) 669-2148 if you are interested in using this collection for research.

   

  ~ Clinton Historical Society Events ~

   

  Memorial Day Plant and Bake Sale

   

  On Monday, May 26th from 9:00 to 2:00, the society will hold its 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,2008 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.
  .

  Genealogy Workshop
  Are you interested in learning how to use online resources to find information on your ancestors?  If so, please join David Boudinot, Programming Director for the Henry Carter Hull Library, on Thursday, November 13, 2008 at 6:30 p.m. in the Community Room of the Henry Carter Hull Library.  
  This free event will show you how to use websites and various other library and historical society resources to trace your family’s genealogy.  The Clinton Historical Society's librarians, Jinny and Bert Godwin, will be on hand to provide information on using the Clinton Historical Society's archives for research.  This event is co-sponsored by the Henry Carter Hull Library and the Clinton Historical Society.

  Clinton Historical Society Calendars for Sale

  The Clinton Historical Society 2009 Calendars are available, and at $12 each make a perfect gift for someone on your holiday shopping list.  Each month of the calendar features a different vintage photograph of a Clinton landmark from the 1860s to the early 1900s, with location/historical reference notes.  To purchase a calendar, please call the Clinton Historical Society at 669-2148.

  Open House at Old Brick

  Christmas in Clinton is a great holiday tradition, and would not be complete without a visit to “Old Brick,” located at 103 East Main Street.  Come join us for some Christmas cheer and light refreshments.  As you enter the home and peek into the living room, you will experience a Victorian family dressed in period clothing.  You will see Grandpa reading a book, Grandmother doing her tatting, while Mom strings popcorn and cranberries to complete the decorations on the tree.  Dad is busy going over the bills.  The children are engaged in various activities while waiting to hear the story of the night before Christmas.  Carolers appear at the door and everyone is invited in for a Christmas drink and cookies.  This year a violinist will play, filling the house with music.  Please stop by and let us wish you a Merry Christmas on Dec 7th from 2 to 6 p.m.  You may also want to walk around back to see the model trains and then stop into the Tool Museum to see what tools our ancestors had at their disposal to lighten their load.  Hope to see you there!  

  Christmas Luncheons at Old Brick

  The Clinton Historical Society’s Christmas Luncheons are scheduled for December 9, 10, and 11 at noon.  These luncheons play host to all who appreciate good food and good cheer at a festively-decorated “Old Brick,” located at 103 East Main Street.  These luncheons are very popular, so be sure to make your reservations early.  The cost is $15 for Clinton Historical Society members, and $20 for non-members.  Checks should be made payable to Clinton Historical Society and mailed to Mary Bovich, 87 Waterside Lane, Clinton, CT 06413.  For additional information, please call (860)669-5318.

• Clinton Historical Society Ghost Walk
• Prepare yourself for chills and thrills at the 5th annual Clinton Historical Society Halloween Ghost Walk on Wednesday, October 29th, 2008.
  The new and improved walk will include visits to the historic William Stanton House as well as Sarba's Cafe and Gallery where visitors will be enetertained with tall tales of spirits who reside in both homes. A stroll down Clinton's Main Street to view ghost inhabited homes and a tour of the Elisha White House will conclude the walk. Reservations may be made by calling Claudia at (860) 669-7814 to schedule a tour for the 7:00 or 7:30 walk. Please make your reservations early since space is limited. A $10.00 donation for the walk will assist the Clinton Historical Society as well as the William Stanton house with future events. Ghost Walk participants should meet at the Elisia White House (Old Brick)prior to the tour.

~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.