New Canaan Museum & Historical Society

New Canaan Museum & Historical Society The New Canaan Museum & Historical Society is a cultural institution that focuses on preservation, modernism, education and community. St. Henry B.
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Since our founding in 1889, the New Canaan Historical Society has carried out its mission “to bring together and arrange the historical events of the town of New Canaan, the genealogies of the families who have lived in the town, to form a library and to collect relics and curiosities, to form a museum.”

To this day we accomplish that by promoting historic preservation, aiding researchers, mainta

ining museums and historical sites, mounting exhibitions, holding educational events and tours, and building an awareness and appreciation of our Town’s rich past. Our founders included the descendants of some of New Canaan’s first families — among them Mr. & Mrs. Frederick Lockwood, Charles R. Abbott, Alexander Law, S.Y. John, James and Edwin Hoyt, Lucius Monroe Sr., Francis E, Weed, Mr. & Mrs. Rogers, and Mr. & Mrs. Joseph Silliman. Today the Society welcomes all members — descendants of early settlers and more recent arrivals included. At our headquarters, in the 1825 Town House, the Society maintains a research library of more than 3,500 volumes, along with scores of manuscripts, deeds, newspapers, photographs and other documents dating to the colonial era. The New Canaan Historical Society is open to everyone. We welcome you as a guest and invite you to become a member: http://www.nchistory.org/get-involved

This is your last chance to join this awesome group of people for the BEST party of the Summer.  Tickets on sale until F...
05/20/2026

This is your last chance to join this awesome group of people for the BEST party of the Summer. Tickets on sale until Friday May 22. Don't be a party pooper...have fun while making (and celebrating) history! To purchase tickets visit: nchistory.org

Don't miss out on the chance to get discounted tickets to the BEST EVENT of the Summer! We will dance, eat and drink wit...
03/24/2026

Don't miss out on the chance to get discounted tickets to the BEST EVENT of the Summer! We will dance, eat and drink with friends and neighbors and celebrate all things New Canaan under a gorgeous tent on our beautiful campus. Hurry, because after 4/1 the ticket price will go up. Visit nchistory.org to get your tickets today.

Early Bird pricing is in effect for our Annual Gala that will be held on Friday May 29th. This is always THE EVENT of th...
03/04/2026

Early Bird pricing is in effect for our Annual Gala that will be held on Friday May 29th. This is always THE EVENT of the summer season! This year we are honoring Cynthia and Tom Monahan for their years of dedication and leadership to the Museum. Come to our beautiful campus and enjoy delicious food prepared by Diane Browne, live music and dancing with Fake ID Band & an open bar! Don't pay more...get your tickets today and tell your friends!! A party is always more fun with pals! Beginning April 1, tickets are full price. visit nchistory.org 🥂🎤🎸🎉

New Canaan is no stranger to harsh winter weather, but on this particular night, the town faced more than just snow. On ...
02/18/2026

New Canaan is no stranger to harsh winter weather, but on this particular night, the town faced more than just snow.

On February 14, 1899, a tragic fire broke out in the basement of J. F. Silliman’s grocery store at 114 Main Street. Fanned by 50-mile-per-hour winds during a blizzard, and hindered by snow drifts reaching three to five feet high, the flames quickly became catastrophic.

Firefighters battled through the night under brutal conditions. They later reported that as soon as a jet of water touched a building — or even their own clothing — it froze solid. Despite their efforts, the blaze raged with such intensity that it melted the store’s cash register.

Although the buildings were destroyed, Silliman’s resilience prevailed. Within just one week, he reopened his grocery across the street at 96 Main Street — the location where Greenology stands today.

This is the last chance to grab tickets for the Mad Hatter's Tea Party on Sunday, February 8th. Before the Super Bowl st...
02/04/2026

This is the last chance to grab tickets for the Mad Hatter's Tea Party on Sunday, February 8th. Before the Super Bowl starts, come enjoy a proper English tea party complete with savory bites, sweets and scones. There will be crafts for the little ones.
Always a favorite event for parents to spend some quality time with their children. Just a few spots remain. Don't be late for this very important date!!!
To purchase tickets, visit https://nchistory.org/3rd-annual-mad-hatter-valentines-tea-party/

Bring your sandwich, soup, or snack, and join us for a Lunch & Learn session that brings history to life! On Wednesday, ...
01/10/2026

Bring your sandwich, soup, or snack, and join us for a Lunch & Learn session that brings history to life! On Wednesday, February 10th, Mary Frances Malone, along with The Town Players of New Canaan, will delve into the History of Valentine’s Day. Enjoy your hearty lunch while immersing yourself in a piece of the past that still resonates today.

Reserve your tickets today at nchistory.org. Free for members, $10 for non-members

Collections Spotlight: Can you guess what this object is? If you said a Pounce Pot or Ink Sander, you’d be correct! This...
01/09/2026

Collections Spotlight: Can you guess what this object is?

If you said a Pounce Pot or Ink Sander, you’d be correct! This rare little container was once an essential accessory to any writing set. Used alongside quills, nib, and fountain pens, these pots would have been filled with an absorbant sandy dust (or, pounce), which helped to blot the ink. Spreading it out over the paper, either before of after writing, would prevent the ink from bleeding or streaking along the page. This container is sealed all the way around, with only the tiny pricked holes in the top allowing the pounce or sand to escape. It’s possible that the pot would be refilled at the top through these holes; as the shallow rim would catch excess powder for re-use, so too could the sander be slowly refilled.

Donor unknown. Likely American made. Pewter. 1790-1800.
2 3/8” diameter; 1 7/16” height.

Collections Spotlight: Can you guess what this object is? ••If you said a Pounce Pot or Ink Sander, you’d be correct! Th...
01/09/2026

Collections Spotlight: Can you guess what this object is?


If you said a Pounce Pot or Ink Sander, you’d be correct! This rare little container was once an essential accessory to any writing set. Used alongside quills, nib, and fountain pens, these pots would have been filled with an absorbant sandy dust (or, pounce), which helped to blot the ink. Spreading it out over the paper, either before of after writing, would prevent the ink from bleeding or streaking along the page. This container is sealed all the way around, with only the tiny pricked holes in the top allowing the pounce or sand to escape. Its possible the pot could be refilled at the top through these holes, but it’s more likley that this was a one-use item, and would be discarded once empty.
Donor unknown. Likely American made. Pewter. 1790-1800.
2 3/8” diameter; 1 7/16” height.

The Mad Hatter's Tea Party will take place again on Sunday February 8th from 12-1:30pm at the New Canaan Museum. This fa...
01/06/2026

The Mad Hatter's Tea Party will take place again on Sunday February 8th from 12-1:30pm at the New Canaan Museum. This family friendly event will featuring tea sandwiches, sweet treats, hot beverages, crafts and MORE! Table presales are in effect until 1/14. Regular tickets will go on sale on 1/15. Seating is limited.
Come join the fun! ♠👸🐰🍰🍭🫖🩷

Address

13 Oenoke Rdg
New Canaan, CT
06840

Opening Hours

Tuesday 10am - 4pm
Wednesday 10am - 4pm
Thursday 10am - 4pm
Friday 10am - 4pm
Saturday 10am - 4pm

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