Tolland Historical Society

06/19/2026

The Tolland Historical Society and the French-Canadian Genealogical Society of Connecticut will hold a two-day book sale fundraiser this Saturday, June 20 and Sunday, June 20 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
The sale will take place on the front lawn of the Old Tolland County Court House Museum. It will feature old and new books priced to go.
Book donations are also appreciated, and anyone who would like to donate books can call Court House Museum Director Celeste Senechal at 860-543-4687 to arrange a pickup.

06/18/2026

06/18/2026

Calling all Tolland rising 7th through 12th graders: the Tolland Historical Society is holding an orientation session for its Student Intern Program on Sunday, June 21 at 1 p.m. at the Old Tolland County Jail and Museum at 52 Tolland Green.
Through the program, you can learn all aspects of a working museum, how to accession historic artifacts, design displays and even give museum tours to the public.
Interns participate in Sunday events and conduct research on Tolland history. They earn community services hours and a reference letter.
It's fun, too!
Interested students and their parents can contact Museum Director Kathy Bach at 860-872-7716 or by email at [email protected] if they have questions.
Photo: Kathy with previous interns at the Jail Museum

06/16/2026

The Tolland Historical Society and the French-Canadian Genealogical Society of Connecticut will hold a two-day book sale fundraiser this Saturday, June 20 and Sunday, June 20 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
The sale will take place on the front lawn of the Old Tolland County Court House Museum. It will feature old and new books priced to go.
Book donations are also appreciated, and anyone who would like to donate books can call Court House Museum Director Celeste Senechal at i60-543-4687 to arrange a pickup.

06/16/2026

Calling all Tolland rising 7th through 12th graders: the Tolland Historical Society is holding an orientation session for its Student Intern Program on Sunday, June 21 at 1 p.m. at the Old Tolland County Jail and Museum at 52 Tolland Green.
Through the program, you can learn all aspects of a working museum, how to accession historic artifacts, design displays and even give museum tours to the public.
Interns participate in Sunday events and conduct research on Tolland history. They earn community services hours and a reference letter.
It's fun, too!
Interested students and their parents can contact Museum Director Kathy Bach at 860-872-7716 or by email at [email protected] if they have questions.
Photo: previous interns having fun at the Jail Museum

06/15/2026

Calling all Tolland rising 7th through 12th graders: the Tolland Historical Society is holding an orientation session for its Student Intern Program on Sunday, June 21 at 1 p.m. at the Old Tolland County Jail and Museum at 52 Tolland Green.
Through the program, you can learn all aspects of a working museum, how to accession historic artifacts, design displays and even give museum tours to the public.
Interns participate in Sunday events and conduct research on Tolland history. They earn community services hours and a reference letter.
It's fun, too!
Interested students and their parents can contact Museum Director Kathy Bach at 860-872-7716 or by email at [email protected] if they have questions.
Photo of Kathy with previous interns.

06/15/2026

Message from Tolland Historical Society President Kathy Bach, who portrayed Betsy Ross on Sunday on Flag Day:
Again this Flag Day, I was able to bring the struggles of Revolutionary War women like Betsy Ross to life. Guests enjoyed the display of flags from the historical society collection. The American Flag remains the singular most recognizable symbol of our nation, and our individual freedoms. It reminds us of those who served to protect us under the red, white and blue, and those who died for us under those stars and stripes to protect our freedom. It is my honor to annually remind our guests what the flag stands for, and our responsibility to who and what it represents.

06/14/2026

Happy Flag Day!
Here's a perfect way to celebrate today; come visit the Old County Jail and Museum at 1 p.m. at 52 Tolland Green in Tolland to learn all about Betsy Ross and the Making of the American Flag.
As a special treat, visitors will be able to see an authentic American flag with roots in Tolland. This hand-sewn flag was made by Laura Elizabeth Johnson, the first wife of Seth Eaton of Tolland, when she was 19 years old.
It was flown in front of the Eaton House at 85 Tolland Green every day of pleasant weather during the Civil War. The flag, which is 45 inches tall and 61 inches long, is beautifully stitched and is in very good condition.
The museum will be open for tours as well from noon to 3 p.m. on Sunday. There is a suggested $5 per person donation for visitors.

06/12/2026

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

06/10/2026

This Sunday, June 14, at 1 p.m., come to the Old County Jail and Museum at 52 Tolland Green to learn all about Betsy Ross and the Making of the American Flag. It's Flag Day!
As a special treat, visitors will be able to see an authentic American flag with roots in Tolland. The handsewn flag pictured below was made by Laura Elizabeth Johnson, the first wife of Seth Eaton of Tolland, when she was 19 years old.
It was flown in front of the Eaton House at 85 Tolland Green every day of pleasant weather during the Civil War. The flag, which is 45 inches tall and 61 inches long, is beautifully stitched and is in very good condition.
The museum will be open for tours as well from noon to 3 p.m. on Sunday. There is a suggested $5 per person donation for visitors.