Upcoming Events
Stop & Shop Community Bag Program 
The Vernon Historical Society has been selected as the August Community organization. For each reusable Community Bag purchased for $2.50 at the Stop & Shop store located at 10 Pitkin Road, the Society will receive $1. Customers contribute to the Society while supporting a cleaner environment. Thanks for participating in this fund raiser which helps us to collect and preserve our local history.
VHS Fund Raisers
Many thanks to everyone who made this the best Book Sale ever! Led and inspired by Book Sale chairs Kathy and Jacqui and manager Bob, our volunteers sorted, moved and organized a huge amount of items. During the sale days volunteers worked at the cashier stations, kept the books straightened and helped people find books on their lists. A special thanks to everyone who donated books and to those who came and shopped.
We will start collecting after January 6, 2022. Keep on reading!
The Holiday Craft Fair is Back!
The annual Craft Fair featuring the work of talented local crafters will take place during the weekend after Thanksgiving, Saturday 11/27 and Sunday 11/28. Donations will also be accepted for the popular "Nearly New" table. Check here for more information about the return of this yearly tradition.
Museum Operations
The Vernon Historical Society Museum has resumed its usual hours of operation. We are open to the public every Thursday afternoon from 2pm to 4pm. In the fall we will go back to being open on the second and fourth Sundays of each month from pm to 4pm (except for December.)
Volunteers work at the Museum on Tuesdays from 10am to noon and from 2pm to 4pm as well as on Thursdays from 10am to noon. If someone wants to come in during those hours, please call ahead to make an appointment.
We encourage people to email or call us with any questions. Our phone number is 860-875-4326 and our email is vernonhs@sbcglobal.net
New & Notable: Research Materials on the Tolland County Temporary Home for Children
Researchers Chris and Cheryl Klemmer presented a program in 2018 on the Tolland County Temporary Home for Children which was located in Vernon Center from 1887 to 1955.
They have generously allowed VHS to post materials from their research specific to the Tolland home along with a document that provides guidance on searching in records from Connecticut county homes. There is also a link to a 1931 article on the Vernon Center home published in the Rockville Leader.
To view these documents, please click here.
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.
Cool History Links to Explore
Lost Mill Sites in Tolland County Each day a picture of a mill site appears with a clue to its location. The answer with historical background is revealed on the next day.
Manchester Herald Newspaper database Search digitized copies of the Manchester Herald newspaper which also carried news from Vernon and Rockville.
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!
Virtual VHS
The COVID-19 virus prevents museums and local destinations from welcoming visitors physically. Like other venues, the Vernon Historical Society is sharing online content featuring unusual or fascinating materials from our collection .
Click here for a short video about the recently installed collection of 
etchings by local artist Gustave Hoffman. The link to the video will appear on the bottom left of the screen.
Visit our Facebook page to see weekly postings in our new series.
From the Archives will start in August 2020. The series will feature photographs of intriguing and informative items from our collection.
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.
