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.

VHS Fund Raisers

VHS Book Sale 2024

Time to donate your gently read books as we get ready for our popular annual used Book Sale.

We are requesting new or used books, clean, odor-free and in good condition, including children's books. Also needed are DVDs and books on CD.

Please! No VCR tapes, cassette tapes, records, music CDs or reference books (dictionaries, thesauruses or encyclopedias.)

Drop-off Location- Vernon Historical Society, 734 Hartford Tpke (Route 30) Tuesdays and Thursdays 10am to noon and 2pm to 4pm.

Special Sunday Drop-off Dates & Times (Weather Permitting)
Sunday March 10th 2-4
Sunday April 14th    2-4

 

Book Sale Dates: 2024

Free Admission Days
         Friday, 4/26        Noon-6pm
         Saturday,4/27    8am-6pm
         Sunday, 4/28     Noon-4pm
         Saturday, 5/4    10am-4pm
         Sunday, 5/5       Noon-3pm

Preview Event ($10 admission)
        Thursday, 4/25    6pm-9pm

 

Window Restoration Grant. The windows in the Museum building are nearly 100 years old and need restoring. We applied for a matching grant from the State Historic Preservation Office to complete this project. We were delighted to receive $40,825. Next year the windows will be restored, using the original components whenever possible to retaining the historic character of the building.

 

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.

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Upcoming Events

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!

2024 Programs & Activities

Charles A. Platt
Maxwell Court

Photographs of the Original Platt Drawings
Featuring the life of Priscilla Maxwell Endicott

Presented by Greg Gunn and Jean Luddy
Sunday March 17th   2-4
Rockville Elks Lodge #1359,  9 North Park Street, Rockville
Free Event.
Donations accepted for the Newspaper Digitization Project

 

Behind the Scenes and Secrets of the Rockville Library
Saturday April 13th, 10am at the Library, 52 Union Street
Librarian Jean Luddy will lead us through the years and the stack at the Rockville Public Library- another gorgeous building with so many stories. From walnut and oak panels to glass floors to extensive marble, the building is steeped in history not only of Rockville, but of the importance of public libraries.

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.