Community Corner

Hidden Gems Of Hartford And Tolland Counties

It's the first Hidden Gem of 2022.

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The inn and tavern sign collection at the Connecticut Historical Society.
The inn and tavern sign collection at the Connecticut Historical Society. (Chris Dehnel/Patch )

HARTFORD, CT — We'll kick off the new year with a look into the past as our first Hidden Gem of 2022.

Welcome to the Connecticut Historical Society. It is located in the West End of Hartford, at the corner of Elizabeth Street and Asylum Avenue.

The Connecticut Historical Society is a private, nonprofit, educational organization established in 1825. It's the state’s official historical society and one of the oldest in the nation.

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Located at One Elizabeth Street in Hartford, the CHS houses a museum, library, and the Edgar F. Waterman Research Center that are open to the public and funded by private contributions. The CHS's collection includes more than 4 million manuscripts, graphics, books, artifacts, and other historical materials accessible at our campus and on loan at other organizations.

The CHS collection, programs and exhibits help Connecticut residents connect with each other, have conversations that shape our communities, and make informed decisions based on our past and present.

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One popular exhibit is A room containing historic inn and tavern signs of Connecticut. The collection numbers more than 60 signs is by far the largest and most spectacular in the country.

The society's mission is:

We cultivate deep understanding of the history and culture of Connecticut, and its role in the United States and the world, through reflection of the past, active engagement with the present, and innovation for the future through our collections, research, educational programs, and exhibitions.
Our vision: Working with an inclusive audience to promote historical and cultural perspectives as essential tools to connect with others, shape communities, and make informed decisions.
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The Hidden Gems series features out-of-the-way mom and pop restaurants, small specialty stores you may have never heard of, little-known historical markers or beautiful nature spots that may be a bit off the beaten path, all located within Hartford and Tolland counties. Do you have a favorite "hidden gem" in the area that you wish to see featured in this column? Email your ideas to tim.jensen@patch.com.
Other columns in this series:

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