Tolland Historical Society

05/26/2026

To celebrate America's 250th this year, the Tolland Historical Society will be hosting, "Remembrance Through Quilts: Stitching the Community Together."
On Sundays from noon to 3 p.m., 29 quilts, wall hangings, runners and quilt tops will be on display at the Old Tolland County Court House Museum at 53 Tolland Green in Tolland. A few of the items are 200 years old. Congratulations to Museum Director Celeste Senechal for curating the show.
Admittance is $5.
As you walk through this wonderful display, you'll see that quilts and other items have been arranged so that similar items are grouped together.
The first section is Celebration: quilts displayed were crafted with symbols of celebration.
The second section was crafted with symbols of Family. These quilts show and memorialize families.
The third section symbolizes Children, who continue our families.
The fourth section honors Community, featuring our fire department, churches and town.
We hope you enjoy the show.

Pictured: a quilt top made prior to 1850

05/25/2026

The purpose of the day: remembering those who made the ultimate sacrifice for all of us.

05/22/2026

Though tomorrow's Tolland Memorial Day Parade and Service have been cancelled due to inclement weather, the Tolland Historical Society's three museums on the Tolland Green will be open on Sunday, May 24.
The Old Tolland County Jail and Museum at 52 Tolland Green and the Old Tolland County Court House Museum at 53 Tolland Green will be open from noon to 3 p.m.
It is the opening day of the Court House Museum's America250 Remembrance through Quilts Show. There is a $5 fee for the quilt show.
The Tolland Military Museum at 747 Tolland State Road will be open from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
There is a $5 suggested donation at the jail and military museums.
Free parking is available behind the court house, along the side of the jail museum and in front of the military museum.
We hope to see a lot of Tolland residents tomorrow.

05/21/2026

For 27 years, Tolland third graders have learned Tolland history with each student portraying an early resident of the town, including farmers, shingle makers, hatmakers, blacksmiths, merchants and basketmakers. It's one of our favorite days of the year at the Tolland Historical Society, and today was no exception.
The kids enjoy wearing period costumes and telling their classmates about how their "person" lived and worked in Tolland.
President Kathy Bach leads the event with teaching help from their regular teachers, of course, and Vice President Celeste Senechal, board member Mary-Pat Soucy and volunteer Mariah Geissler Bumps.
Here are some scenes at the Old Tolland County Jail and Museum.

05/21/2026

At Tolland Green Day each year, Tolland Historical Society volunteer Mariah Geissler Bumps portrays the role of a stern teacher in a one-room schoolhouse for Tolland's third graders.
And when you misbehave in Miss Mariah's schoolroom, you get to wear the dunce cap!
This is the 27th year of Tolland Green Day. More photos to come later this today.

05/20/2026

05/20/2026

Tolland family antiquities are set out at the Old Tolland County Jail Museum in anticipation of Thursday's Tolland Green Day.
The volunteers are ready, the Primers are printed, and now, we just need Tolland third graders!
The Tolland Historical Society has provided curriculum material to the school system on Tolland Green Day for 26 years and on Museum Day for two decades before that. Clearly the difference is our students and what they have learned about local history.
Reminder: this is a school event and not open to the general public.
Also if you are driving along the green from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. tomorrow, please go slowly and watch out for groups of children.

05/16/2026

Starting at 10 a.m. today!

Come join the Tolland Historical Society and the Tolland Military Museum for a celebration of Armed Forces Day on Saturday, May 16 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
The event will feature museum tours, music, a drawing and World War II re-enactors. The Tolland Lions Club will on hand grilling hamburgers and hot dogs, too.
The museum is at 747 Tolland Stage Road in Tolland with free parking in front of the museum and in the driveway alongside the Old Tolland Country Jail and Museum at 52 Tolland Green.

05/12/2026

Join the Tolland Historical Society and the Tolland Military Museum for a celebration of Armed Forces Day on Saturday, may 16 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
The event will feature museum tours, music, a drawing and World War II re-enactors. The Tolland Lions Club will on hand grilling hamburgers and hot dogs, too.
The museum is at 747 Tolland Stage Road in Tolland with free parking in front of the museum and in the driveway alongside the Old Tolland Country Jail and Museum at 52 Tolland Green.

05/04/2026

The Stafford Historical Society - Stafford, CT and the Tolland Historical Society are collaborating to bring a fascinated exhibit on the Revolutionary War to both towns in May.
The six-paneled traveling exhibit on loan from the Connecticut Museum of Culture and History highlights treasures from their collection that help reveal some of the people and events that helped shape Connecticut’s influence on the war.
Here are the details:
Stafford Historical Society, 5 Spring St.
Friday, May 8, 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. (open house during Arts on Main)
Tuesday, May 12, 7 p.m. (at the Stafford Community Center)
monthly meeting: short business meeting, short talk about CT and Stafford in the Revolutionary War, time to look at the panels and a few Revolutionary War-era items)
Sunday, May 17, 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. (open house)

Tolland Historical Society (Jail Museum), 52 Tolland Green
Sunday, May 24, museum opens at 12 p.m. (before the Memorial Day Parade)
Sunday, May 31, 12 p.m. to 3 p.m., short talk at 1 p.m. about CT and Tolland in the Revolutionary

04/22/2026

Did you know that "In God We Trust" was first stamped on U.S. coins in 1864?
It was first printed on paper currency in 1957.

Photo: CoinWeek