Bristol Historical Society

Bristol Historical Society Bristol Historical Society

The mission of the Bristol Historical Society is to promote an interest in local history and encourage an appreciation for its importance. The Bristol Historical Society collects, preserves, and interprets significant historical resources to enhance the present community and provide a historical context for future growth.

September 1 - Bob's ChaletBob’s Chalet Ski and Sport Shop (now Bob’s Sports Chalet) was opened in 1964 by Robert “Bob” A...
09/01/2026

September 1 - Bob's Chalet

Bob’s Chalet Ski and Sport Shop (now Bob’s Sports Chalet) was opened in 1964 by Robert “Bob” Abrams, an avid sportsman and skier and former Marine. He ran a few different sporting goods stores, finally opening Bob’s Chalet at 537 Farmington Avenue. Despite its ski-related moniker, the store sold—and still sells—a variety of sporting goods. The store was later located in the Chalet-style building at 510 Farmington Avenue, which was often featured in ads. Robert Abrams’s son David would take over the store. The store moved to 91 Pine Street in the mid-2010s and now has an Avon Branch as well. The business is now over 60 years old and still family-owned by Bill and Belinda Gonsalves, Abrams family relatives.

Bristol's history has no shortage of industrial achievement. For 2026, however, we will focus on the retail businesses in Bristol. From restaurants to shoe stores, from jewelers to theaters, these businesses often made up the fabric of daily life in Bristol and served as an important sector of its economy.

August 31 - Robert N. Fletcher & CompanyRobert N. Fletcher & Co., Inc. was a plumbing and heating company located at 205...
09/01/2026

August 31 - Robert N. Fletcher & Company

Robert N. Fletcher & Co., Inc. was a plumbing and heating company located at 205 Central Street in Forestville. The firm was owned and operated by Robert Norman Fletcher. His father Harold Fletcher had also been a plumber, beginning in 1928. Robert Fletcher ran the firm until 1977, when he retired, moving to Nantucket, where we shifted to a small wood carving business.

Bristol's history has no shortage of industrial achievement. For 2026, however, we will focus on the retail businesses in Bristol. From restaurants to shoe stores, from jewelers to theaters, these businesses often made up the fabric of daily life in Bristol and served as an important sector of its economy.

August 30 - CV Mason & CompanyCarlos Virgil Mason worked in his father’s real estate and insurance business as a young m...
08/31/2026

August 30 - CV Mason & Company

Carlos Virgil Mason worked in his father’s real estate and insurance business as a young man, beginning as an office boy, and then arrived in Bristol in 1883 to strike out on his own, founding CV Mason & Co. on Main Street. In 1916, the company he founded moved to 9 Prospect Street, next to the C. Funk Furniture Store. Mason at one point had a partner, William Neubauer, whom the family would buy out. In 1963, the agency moved to 254 Main Street, where it is still located. CV Mason & Company, Bristol’s oldest insurance firm, is still in business and still family-run over 140 years after its founding.

Bristol's history has no shortage of industrial achievement. For 2026, however, we will focus on the retail businesses in Bristol. From restaurants to shoe stores, from jewelers to theaters, these businesses often made up the fabric of daily life in Bristol and served as an important sector of its economy.

August 29 - Tot 'n' Toddler & The Carousel Gift ShopTot ‘n’ Toddler was located at 85 North Main Street. The store was o...
08/30/2026

August 29 - Tot 'n' Toddler & The Carousel Gift Shop

Tot ‘n’ Toddler was located at 85 North Main Street. The store was opened in 1942 by Michael Rafaniello, who had worked at New Departure before opening the multi-floor children’s department store, selling children’s clothing, toys, and nursery furniture. A photo studio was also part of the store. Redevelopment sadly closed this unique store in the early 1960s. In the late 1960s, Michael Rafaniello and his wife Elizabeth (Nesci) Rafaniello opened the Carousel Gift Shop at 471 North Main Street. That store moved to the Bristol Centre Mall in 1970. The Rafaniellos retired in 1980, closing the store. Tot ‘n’ Toddler is the store on the block farthest to the left in the photo.

Bristol's history has no shortage of industrial achievement. For 2026, however, we will focus on the retail businesses in Bristol. From restaurants to shoe stores, from jewelers to theaters, these businesses often made up the fabric of daily life in Bristol and served as an important sector of its economy.

August 28 - Crown Wayside Furniture & Upholstery CompanyCrown Wayside Furniture and Upholstery Company had its roots in ...
08/29/2026

August 28 - Crown Wayside Furniture & Upholstery Company

Crown Wayside Furniture and Upholstery Company had its roots in an upholstery shop at 50 School Street opened by Joseph Furnari. In the early 1950s, Furnari purchased property at 562 Farmington Avenue and opened Crown Wayside Furniture and Upholstery in a one-story building. A second story was added later. By 1975, the store was named the Furnari Furniture Gallery. At that point, Furnari discontinued the sale of furniture, although the upholstery business continued for several more years.

Bristol's history has no shortage of industrial achievement. For 2026, however, we will focus on the retail businesses in Bristol. From restaurants to shoe stores, from jewelers to theaters, these businesses often made up the fabric of daily life in Bristol and served as an important sector of its economy.

August 27 - Hour Glass CleanersHour Glass Cleaners is a small chain, and they opened their Bristol store in the early 19...
08/27/2026

August 27 - Hour Glass Cleaners

Hour Glass Cleaners is a small chain, and they opened their Bristol store in the early 1960s as one of the original Bristol Plaza stores. After many years, the store moved to the corner of Brook Street and Farmington Avenue. When Brook Street was realigned in the 1990s, the store moved again to 942 Stafford Avenue, where it remains to this day. This photo (and the ad!) shows the cleaners in its Bristol Plaza days.

Bristol's history has no shortage of industrial achievement. For 2026, however, we will focus on the retail businesses in Bristol. From restaurants to shoe stores, from jewelers to theaters, these businesses often made up the fabric of daily life in Bristol and served as an important sector of its economy.

August 26 - Maple End ShoppeThe Maple End Shoppe, located at the intersection of Maple and North Streets (often referred...
08/27/2026

August 26 - Maple End Shoppe

The Maple End Shoppe, located at the intersection of Maple and North Streets (often referred to as Maple End Corner), was owned by Alexander Edgar Gamache, a veteran of World War II. Gamache ran the store from 1929 to 1957. (Gamache, one of 10 siblings, lived to the age of 100!) In 1957, the store was purchased by Gedeon Peter Faucher, who ran the store until 1963, when it was purchased by Edward Cercone. The store included a luncheonette.

Bristol's history has no shortage of industrial achievement. For 2026, however, we will focus on the retail businesses in Bristol. From restaurants to shoe stores, from jewelers to theaters, these businesses often made up the fabric of daily life in Bristol and served as an important sector of its economy.

August 25 - HL Burzler Moving & StorageHL Burzler Moving and Storage, Inc. was located at 79 North Street. The business ...
08/26/2026

August 25 - HL Burzler Moving & Storage

HL Burzler Moving and Storage, Inc. was located at 79 North Street. The business was owned and operated by Herman Lewis Burzler, who opened the operation about 1930. He ran it, occasionally using the premises as an auction location as well. The mention of manager (and later mayor) James P. Casey in one of these ads may seem odd, but in fact Burzler was Casey’s uncle. Burzler passed away in 1955, and some of the Casey nephews, including the mayor, would carry on the business for some time after his death. The family would get out of the moving and storage business entirely after James P. Casey’s death.

Bristol's history has no shortage of industrial achievement. For 2026, however, we will focus on the retail businesses in Bristol. From restaurants to shoe stores, from jewelers to theaters, these businesses often made up the fabric of daily life in Bristol and served as an important sector of its economy.

August 24 - Kay WhiteThe Kay White (Katherine White) Shop was originally located at 133 Main Street from 1944 to 1953. I...
08/25/2026

August 24 - Kay White

The Kay White (Katherine White) Shop was originally located at 133 Main Street from 1944 to 1953. It was a millinery shop at the time, owned by Katherine White, who was a well-known costume designer in the New England area. In 1953, she moved her shop to 192 Main Street, where she shifted her focus to hand-crafted costume jewelry. That store was open until 1962. White also did jewelry-making demonstrations in town.

Bristol's history has no shortage of industrial achievement. For 2026, however, we will focus on the retail businesses in Bristol. From restaurants to shoe stores, from jewelers to theaters, these businesses often made up the fabric of daily life in Bristol and served as an important sector of its economy.

August 23 - Tab's Camera/The Snap ShopTab’s Camera and Gift Shop was originally located at 104 North Main Street, later ...
08/24/2026

August 23 - Tab's Camera/The Snap Shop

Tab’s Camera and Gift Shop was originally located at 104 North Main Street, later relocating to 130 Main Street with a branch store at Bristol Plaza. The stores were opened by the Tabellione family of New Britain in the early 1950s. Nicholas Tabellione initially ran the store and also served at one time as the president of the Bristol Plaza Association and a director of the Bristol Chamber of Commerce before his death in 1968. His wife, Lillian Mauro Tabellione ran what was now called The Snap Shop at the Main Street location until 1962, when the Plaza store became the only branch. Tab’s Camera Store remained run by the family and in business into the 1980s.

Bristol's history has no shortage of industrial achievement. For 2026, however, we will focus on the retail businesses in Bristol. From restaurants to shoe stores, from jewelers to theaters, these businesses often made up the fabric of daily life in Bristol and served as an important sector of its economy.

Address

98 Summer Street
Bristol, CT
06010

Opening Hours

Wednesday 10am - 2pm
Saturday 10am - 4pm

Telephone

(860) 583-6309

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Bristol Historical Society posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Museum

Send a message to Bristol Historical Society:

Shortcuts

Share

Category