Connecticut's History Museum To Celebrate 200 Years

Connecticut Museum of Culture and History

HARTFORD, CT — The Connecticut Museum of Culture and History, one of the oldest historical societies in the United States, has announced a year-long celebration of its 200th anniversary.

Established in 1825 as The Connecticut Historical Society, the Connecticut Museum remains dedicated to education and cultural preservation through an inclusive lens, partnering with diverse communities across the state to share their stories and traditions.

Located at 1 Elizabeth St., Hartford, the museum aims to provide enriching programs, new exhibitions, and community events that give a glimpse into Connecticut’s past, present, and future.

To kick off its bicentennial, the museum will host an opening celebration on Thursday, Jan. 30, from 10 to 11:30 am.

The event will feature iconic items from the museum’s collection rarely on view, a first look at the 200th year’s programming, and a keynote address from the University of Connecticut’s Draper Chair of American History and bestselling author Manisha Sinha.

She will talk with Connecticut State Historian Andy Horowitz on why history and culture matter today. Light refreshments and local coffee will be served.

Those interested in attending must RSVP to the event at this link.

Throughout 2025, the museum will introduce new programs and events to celebrate the anniversary, including a retrospective 200th-anniversary exhibition, a foodie-friendly fundraiser Taste of 200, a 200th-anniversary catalog, a children’s book launch, and more.

“As we commemorate this momentous occasion, we are thinking about the museum’s evolution from a society created to preserve historically significant materials to a cultural institution housing thousands of deeply significant artifacts and community-building
opportunities,” said Robert A. Kret, executive director and chief executive officer of the museum.

Known for its award-winning exhibitions, the museum’s current special exhibition "Coffee: A Connecticut Story," delves into the influence of coffee culture in the state.

The institution also actively encourages community members to engage with local history
through public access to its extensive research library, a robust schedule of monthly programs, and cultural community celebrations ranging from Lunar New Year to Día de Muertos.

With its rebranding in 2023, the museum has refined its community-focused philosophy
to be more inclusive of audiences across the state.

“The history of Connecticut is comprised of millions of stories and is shared through the cultural traditions and knowledge passed from generation to generation,” said Ilene Frank, deputy executive director, and chief strategy officer.

“The museum’s bicentennial is a time to celebrate the new opportunities the museum will pursue to collect, preserve, share, and promote Connecticut’s history and culture.”

For more information about the museum’s upcoming 200th anniversary events, visit https://www.connecticutmuseum.or or follow the museum on social media at @thectmuseum on Instagram and Facebook.