New England Civil War Museum & Research Center

05/25/2026

Members of Alden Skinner Camp of the Department of Connecticut, Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War continued their long-standing "Decoration Day" traditions. The camp, responsible for maintaining the Museum, places flags on the graves of all Civil War veterans in Grove Hill Cemetery. The event culminates with a re-dedication ceremony of the grave of Thomas F. Burpee, who was the namesake of the original Grand Army of the Republic post that met in the Museum halls from 1890 through the 1920's.

The camp and the dedicated corps of volunteers that operate the Museum take special pride in this tradition, as many of those buried in Grove Hill were members of this post. We were pleased to welcome back Connecticut Valley Field Music  who serenaded the flag placing, and led the processional to the ceremony at Burpee's grave.

Additionally, despite the constant rain, living historians of Company G, 14th Connecticut Volunteer Infantry, also members of the Museum and camp, participated in the Talcottville Parade and memorial ceremony at Mount Hope Cemetery on Vernon.

05/25/2026

05/25/2026

When the Civil War veterans of Burpee Post #71 gathered in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, Memorial Day was observed each year on May 30th. Following the tradition established by the Grand Army of the Republic, communities traveled from cemetery to cemetery, “decorating” the graves of local veterans with flowers and wreaths as acts of remembrance and gratitude.

Rockville — the Vernon, Connecticut community where the Museum is located — was once a center of manufacturing, trade, and employment. Members of Burpee Post lived and worked not only in Vernon, but also just across the town line in Ellington. For these veterans, Memorial Day was a full day of commemoration. They traveled between Grove Hill Cemetery in Vernon, Ellington Cemetery, and other burial grounds in the area, attending church services and stopping for meals along the way.

The deep meaning of Memorial Day to both veterans and the public is reflected in the history of our own building. On Memorial Day in 1889, the cornerstone of what is now the Museum was dedicated as “Memorial Hall” — Vernon’s Civil War memorial.

This “living memorial” was created not only to honor those who died in service during the war, but also to serve the community for generations to come — a place to practice the freedoms and peace secured through their sacrifice.

(Photo courtesy of the Vernon Historical Society)

05/10/2026

The museum will be closed on Sunday, May 10th so that our team can spend the day celebrating their Mothers!

See you next weekend!

05/02/2026

A beautiful performance today at the museum by Ryan Mascilak and the "Marching Still" Ensemble! Music written to draw out the emotion of Civil War era poetry, the ensemble is the first such performance in the museum since the days of the GAR meetings in this space!

04/26/2026

Please join me July 3rd at Frederick Douglass Park!

04/26/2026

A successful Park Day, sponsored by the American Battlefield Trust! Thanks to our volunteers, the museum was cleaned, progress made with our library accessioning project, and original framed pictures hung on a "new" storage rack!

04/23/2026