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.
(1)

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

Many thanks to the Exchange Club of New Canaan for allowing us to host the Field of Flags in honor of America 250. 🇺🇸 Th...
06/21/2026

Many thanks to the Exchange Club of New Canaan for allowing us to host the Field of Flags in honor of America 250. 🇺🇸 This special installation features every American flag flown since our nation’s founding, with each flag labeled by the years it represented our country and the number of stars it bore. The display also includes the Declaration of Independence for all to read. We invite you to wander through the yard, take it all in, and experience this visual journey through American history. On view for one month!

New Canaan High School Seniors Abby Brown and Victoria Vaccaro, and Darien High School Senior Fabio Rathgeber just finis...
06/13/2026

New Canaan High School Seniors Abby Brown and Victoria Vaccaro, and Darien High School Senior Fabio Rathgeber just finished their internships at the New Canaan Museum & Historical Society. This exceptional trio provided invaluable help over the last month. Their work included assisting with plans for the Celebrate New Canaan gala, running games and being docents at the Ice Cream Social, working on the doll collection, and much more.

Their biggest accomplishment, however, is the installation of the “History Trail” in Irwin Park. The brainchild of Town Administrator Tucker Murphy, the idea was to create a walking trail of fun facts and events from the Town’s history as a way to commemorate the 250th Anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. Abby, Victoria, and Fabio worked with Town Hall interns Max Boccaccio and Serena Peterson. They each reviewed a portion of Mary Louise King’s Portrait of New Canaan, selected key dates and information to include on the trail, reviewed the Museum’s photographic archives, and designed 80 labels to affix to patriotic lawn signs.

The installation went up yesterday and will remain there through the 4th of July. Starting at the parking
lot closest to W**d Street, visitors can walk the three-quarter mile path and learn about the evolution of this area from Canaan Parish to New Canaan. We hope everyone enjoys the content.

06/12/2026
Join us on Tuesday June 16 from 12pm-1pm for one of our America 250 Events!Bring your sandwich, soup or snack and join u...
06/12/2026

Join us on Tuesday June 16 from 12pm-1pm for one of our America 250 Events!

Bring your sandwich, soup or snack and join us for a Lunch & Learn with Nick Williams as he explores the Declaration of Independence through the lens of the Tony Award-winning Broadway Musical and Movie “1776 .”🎬. The musical dramatizes the debates and events leading to the signing of the Declaration of Independence in 1776.

The show, which premiered in 1969, focuses on the political struggles of the Second Continental Congress, particularly John Adams’ effort to persuade delegates to declare Independence from Britain. The story follows Adams and his cohorts, Thomas Jefferson and Benjamin Franklin, as they debate and work towards that independence, culminating in the signing of the Declaration.

Peter Stone wrote the book, focusing on the arguments and intrigue within the Continental Congress. Sherman Edwards, a composer who researched the American Revolution for years, wrote the music and lyrics. The musical won five Tony Awards in 1969, including Best Musical and Best Book. A film version was released in 1972, with the original stars reprising their roles.

Nick will exhibit several musical numbers from the show, and will discuss where it is true to history, where it takes some liberties for dramatic effect and the implications of 1776 from a historical perspective.

Tickets are free for members and $10 for all others. Visit nchistory.org/events

Thank you to all who came out on Friday May 29th to Celebrate New Canaan. What a night...The weather, the food, the band...
06/11/2026

Thank you to all who came out on Friday May 29th to Celebrate New Canaan. What a night...The weather, the food, the band, the ci**rs and the whiskey tasting brought the crowds to our spectacular campus to honor Cynthia and Tom Monahan for all that they do for the Museum and New Canaan. Save the date for June 11, 2027!!

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

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

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when New Canaan Museum & 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 New Canaan Museum & Historical Society:

Share

Category