Avon Historical Society celebrates its 50th year in 2024
A new exhibit of artifacts from Avon’s past is on display in the History Corner of the Avon Free Public Library
The Avon Historical Society is 50 years old this year! To begin a year-long celebration of special events, they installed an exhibit of a select few artifacts, from its collection of over 700, in the display cases of the History Corner of the Avon Free Public Library, 281 Country Club Road, Avon, CT.
On Dec. 31, 1973, eight Society members penned their names to the first Articles of Incorporation for filing with the Connecticut Secretary of the State: Norman C. Southergill, Diana Royce, Mary C. and George L. Leger, Marian M. Hunter, Mary Soule Jones, William M. Wiepert, and Irena D. Osborn. The Articles were accepted on Jan. 4, 1974. It was their collective wish that this organization grow and thrive as the country’s Bicentennial (200th) was just two years away in 1976. Now, just two years from the Semiquincentennial (250th) of the country in 2026, they have an updated logo with the words “since 1974” to remind everyone of the commitment to the history of the Town of Avon through the Avon Historical Society.
The exhibit highlight is a recently conserved silk dress, the oldest textile in the collection, used on February 5, 1794, for a wedding in Northington (original name of Avon when it belonged to Farmington) of Comfort Peck to Jesse Wilcox. The wedding was officiated and noted in the journal of Rev. Rufus Hawley who was Northington’s longest serving minister of the colonial era. Also in the exhibit is a collection of Native American artifacts found along the Farmington River in the 1930s through 1950s by Rodger Howard; a scale used in Sam Gordon’s Avon Pharmacy which used to be in a shopping plaza on Route 44 where O’Neill-Sullivan Chevrolet is today; various household items from the 18th and 19th century; an 1829 leather fire bucket; a pair of boots used by an Avon Volunteer Fireman in the 1950s and 1960s; and a 1860 whale oil lamp used in Wide Awake parades supporting the election of Abraham Lincoln. Other textiles on display are an 1813 sampler and a pillow from 1901 embroidered with over 50 names of Avon residents. There are a few books such as an 1824 account book by Gamaliel Sperry who ran a wagon shop on what is today Waterville Road and a ledger from Patrick O’Neill who was the local blacksmith in the mid-1800s.
The Society is working diligently, with the Town of Avon, on the renovation of a 201-year-old one room schoolhouse on Route 44 (East Main Street) to open as a new museum of Avon’s history later in the year. The public is invited to be part of the new museum through the purchase of an engraved brick for a new paved sitting area nearby the building. To purchase a brick which will benefit the new interior exhibits, visit: https://avonhistoricalsociety.org/buy-a-brick/ And the Society recently launched Avon Talks, a podcast of Avon’s history, people and places with a new episode every month on most popular streaming platforms.
As events for the Avon Historical Society’s 50th anniversary are planned, the public will be invited to participate. Volunteers are always welcome to help with any aspect of the Society’s activities. To volunteer or join the Avon Historical Society, leave a message at: 860-678-7621 or info@avonhistoricalsociety.org
Share your Avon Historical Society experiences with us by using #findingconnecticut on Instagram
Click here for the latest news at the Avon Historical Society
Click here for the latest events at the Avon Historical Society
Click here for the latest news in Avon
Click here for the upcoming events in Avon
Click here for the latest news in Hartford County
Click here for the upcoming events in Hartford County
•••••••••••••
Stay connected with us:
Connecticut merch by town store
Connecticut with us on Instagram, Facebook , Tiktok, Twitter
Check out our popular pages: Help Wanted, Real Estate, Connecticut Sports
For the latest nightlife info across Connecticut join 203socialclub & 860socialclub.
Finding Connecticut is operated and hosted by Victory Designs • Graphic design • Web • Social Media
•••••
Connecticut savings:
Looking for help with anxiety, sleep, and inflammation? Shop New England Hemp Farm and save 35% by using promo code Findingconnecticut35 on your first order then save
20% by using promo code findingconnecticut20 on orders after. New England Hemp Farm also has free shipping through out the United States.
••••••
Visit our other sites:
Finding Greenwich • Finding Stamford • Finding Darien • Finding New Canaan • Finding Wilton. • Finding Ridgefield • Finding Easton • Finding Weston • Finding Westport • Finding Fairfield • Finding Bridgeport