New Headquarters Approved For Farmington Historical Society

FARMINGTON, CT — The Farmington Historical Society will eventually have a new headquarters, program/exhibit site, and storage area for the organization's archives and collection.

This comes after the Farmington Plan and Zoning Commission unanimously voted Monday to approve a special permit allowing the organization to purchase a building at 729 Farmington Ave.

The society was seeking permission for "charitable and philothranpic" uses in a residential zone, which was easily approved by PZC members.

According to attorney Robert Reeve of Scully, Nicksa & Reeve of Unionville (Farmington), the historical society aims to purchase the site and make it the organization's headquarters.

Reeve, representing the Farmington Historical Society, said the building would also house the organization's archives and historical artifact collections.

He said the society also aims to have programs and exhibitions at the new location.

In addition, the historical society would also like to have an apartment unit at the site and there are no plans for any site changes, Reeve said.

Currently, the Farmington Historical Society is located at 138 Main St., Farmington, but Farmington Historical Society President Jay Bombara said the space there is too small for what the group wants to do.

The new site, he said, would allow for more space and also make the Farmington Historical Society more accessible to the public.

Bombara said the new location would be home to exhibits, lectures (for up to 30 people), and living space in the apartment for a future, full-time director or for someone just renting the unit.

The goal, Bombara said, is for the all-volunteer organization to open the society to the public on weekends from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., with night programming taking place during the week from 6:30 to 9 p.m.

Should the site become exceedingly popular and more parking is needed, Reeve said the historical society could return to the PZC for a site plan application for any site revisions.

The project's public hearing drew only support, with endorsements offered from Betty Coykendall, former Farmington Historical Society president, JoAnne Lawson, Portia Corbett, and the Farmington Land Trust.

Following testimony, the hearing was closed and the PZC easily approved the application.

For the minutes of the Oct. 21 Farmington Plan & Zoning Commission Meeting, click on this link.

For more information on the Farmington Historical Society, click on this link.