Upcoming Events
VHS Fund Raisers
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.
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!
Fall Program and Exhibit
“Remembering World War II” - Video and Exhibit
On Sunday October 3rd at 2pm, successful premier of the video production of “Boosting Our Morale:
Soldiers’ Letters to the Rockville Journal During World War II” occurred at the Fall Meeting. 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
An exhibit of posters, uniforms and artifacts from the Society’s collection will be on display in the meeting hall from mid-September until the end of October. Visitors can see the exhibit on Thursdays from 10am to noon and from 2pm to 4pm and on the 4th Sunday of September and the 2nd and 4th Sunday of October from 2pm to 4pm.
For more information about the exhibit, please call the Society at 860-875-4326 or email us at [email protected]
Stop & Shop Community Bag Program 
Thanks to Stop & Shop for choosing the Society for the Community Bag Program for the month of August and thanks to everyone who purchased a reusable bag. We made over $150 which will help the Society in our mission to collect, preserve and educate about local history.
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.
