Avon History Museum Transformation Now Underway

Avon Historical Society

AVON, CT — Years of planning and months of preparations have now given way to actual work and, next year, the new Avon History Museum will reopen inside what was once a historic, one-room schoolhouse.

In partnership with the Town of Avon, The Avon Historical Society recently announced that renovations of the 200-year old schoolhouse, located at 8 E. Main St. (Route 44), have started.

And folks can help fund the endeavor by "buying a brick" for the museum.

Set in Avon's original and historic center, the Avon History Museum will open in 2024.

Schoolhouse No. 3 was originally built in the geographic center of Avon on Country Club Road where the Avon Free Public Library stands today.

For 126 years, from 1823-1949, students of West Avon were educated in this schoolhouse.

To commemorate 200 years of the Town of Avon’s oldest-owned building, the Avon Historical Society approached the town five years ago with a long-range vision of establishing a museum in the footprint of the schoolhouse.

The Town of Avon and The Avon Historical Society agreed on a new museum for visitors who could walk through the center from east and west to shop, eat and learn about the area's history.

The museum is located in the original and historic center of Avon over the site of the 19 th century Farmington Canal which crossed Route 44 traveling north and south.

Now that the work has begun, the society announces a “Buy A Brick for The Avon History Museum” campaign.

Funds raised will pay for professionally curated exhibits inside the main floor that will showcase
the town’s history.

The brick pavers come in two sizes and prices. They can be purchased through the gift shop on the society’s website, https://avonhistoricalsociety.... or by leaving a
message at 860-678-7621.

The bricks will be placed in the existing pocket park adjacent to the new museum. There will be improved landscaping and benches around the seating area and a Little Free Library will be added.

“The Town is very excited that the Avon History Museum project is now underway. The updates that are planned will help to preserve over four centuries of artifacts that tell Avon’s story, while adaptively reusing the town’s oldest public building to serve future generations of Avon residents. We are so pleased to partner with The Avon Historical Society on this effort and look forward to showing the community the end result,” said Avon Town Manager Brandon Robertson.

“Avon residents can be so proud of the careful stewardship of one of its finest historical resources. I commend the strong partnership that the Town of Avon and the Avon Historical Society will bring this museum to life. The items and the knowledge it preserves will honor all those who came before - including, quite incredibly, the Paleoindians here 12,500 years ago,” said Nora Howard, Avon’s town historian.

For the full Avon History Museum announcement, click on this link.

To 'Buy a Brick' for the Avon History Museum, click on this link.