Haddam Historical Society-Thankful Arnold House Museum

05/12/2026

Want to learn more about George Bradford Brainerd photographer who took some of Haddam's earliest candid photographs? Join us on Thursday, May 14, 2026 at the Haddam Fire Station No. 1, 439 Saybrook Road, Higganum, CT. HHS Business meeting at 6:30 pm and talk by Erik Hesselberg at 7 pm. HHS members free, $5 for non-members.

05/11/2026

05/11/2026

Haddam Historical Society Annual Meeting and Program
Thursday, May 14, 2026
Meeting at 6:30 pm
Program at 7:00 pm
Haddam Fire Station #1, 439 Saybrook Road, Higganum, CT
Free for HHS members, $5 for non-members

Local author Erik Hesselberg will present a talk on Haddam native George Bradford Brainerd, a civil engineer who devised a handheld camera in 1870s and captured scenes in New York City, Long Island and the Connecticut River Valley. Often referred to as the “father of instantaneous photography” Brainerd’s story has been compiled into a book by Hesselberg “Candid New York: The Pioneering Photography of George Bradford Brainerd”. The presentation will not only feature his exquisite photos of the New York but also his early images of Haddam, Higganum and lower Connecticut River Valley. Books will be available for purchase.

05/07/2026

Haddam Shad Museum will be open on Sunday, May 10 from 11 am to 3 pm. 272 Saybrook Road, Higganum. Stop by and learn more about Connecticut's State Fish!

05/06/2026

George Bradford Brainerd, born in Haddam Neck in 1845, began his amateur photography around the age of 13 and was known to have designed his own cameras and photography techniques. His adult life was spent in Brooklyn, New York where he worked as the Deputy Water purveyor but photographed in his spare time. He is well known for his candid shots of Brooklyn, Long Island and parts of Connecticut. Learn more on May 14th at our annual meeting program.

Haddam Historical Society Annual Meeting and Program
Thursday, May 14, 2026
Meeting at 6:30 pm
Program at 7:00 pm
Haddam Fire Station #1, 439 Saybrook Road, Higganum, CT
Free for HHS members, $5 for non-members

Local author Erik Hesselberg will present “Candid New York: The Pioneering Photography of George Bradford Brainerd”. The presentation will not only feature his exquisite photos of the New York but also his early images of Haddam, Higganum and lower Connecticut River Valley. Books will be available for purchase.

Photo shows Haddam Center circa 1875. Note the Thankful Arnold House at the far left and Courthouse in the center of the photo.

05/02/2026

Thank you to all who supported the Haddam Historical Society tag sale!!

04/29/2026

Join us on May 30 to explore 250 years of architecture in Haddam, CT. From colonial to contemporary, and everything in between, event guests will have the opportunity to tour six distinctive buildings and private residences that reflect the evolution of architecture through the years. Visit www.haddamhistory.org for details and tickets.

04/28/2026

Thank you to everyone who came out on Saturday to celebrate the opening of the Shad Museum. Big shout out to Jack Calhoun, Lenny Kochanowski, Fred and Beth Hartke and JB Lundgren. All did a super job. Thanks to HHS board members Bill Gresham and Dianne McHutchison for all their help. Also huge kudos to Saybrook Seafood for helping us out!

04/28/2026

The historical society is participating in Saturdays town wide tag sale from 8 am to 2 pm. We always have a great selection of antiques, collectibles and useful items. Not to be missed. This is a good opportunity to support local history and our museums.

04/26/2026

LANDMARK IN JEOPARDY

Regional School District #17 has recently released an RFP to address the historic barn at 95 Little City Road on the campus of Haddam-Killingworth High School. The RFP lists two options to bid on:
1-To demolish the structure
2-Deconstruct the structure for salvage and removal

The Haddam Historical Society has been working tirelessly on trying to save the historic Hubbard barn, an unusual square, hipped roofed agricultural building dating from the mid-19th century. We have consulted Preservation Connecticut and historic building experts including engineers, timber framers and restoration carpenters. Initially we hoped that the building could be saved on site and even pledged up to $25,000 to stabilize in place while we investigated restoration funding and potential uses.

Unfortunately, due to years of neglect, deferred maintenance and recent environmental conditions, consultants have suggested that the barn would need to be dismantled in order to save- either to rebuild it on site or move. The idea of stabilizing for a period to save on site is no longer viable. The school district has no interest in the building and wants it removed.

We are hoping that a restoration firm or timber framer will be interested in dismantling the building and rebuilding or using timbers from its unique construction. The RFP is available at
https://www.highergov.com/sl/contract-opportunity/ct-regional-school-district-17-removal-of-66390014/