Old Tolland County Jail and Museum Brims with History

Kathy Bach, director of the Old Tolland County Jail and Museum, dedicates herself to preserving Tolland history and educating the public about the town. 

She can’t do it alone, though. Bach works with a crew of volunteers to organize donations, preserve materials and, on Sundays, give tours. 

The Old Jail and Museum offers more than just a peak into a jail of old. The former jailer's residence now features three rooms decorated from different periods in Tolland's history, while other rooms are filled with memorabilia from centuries of life in Tolland.

It takes many volunteers, young and old, to help maintain the property and keep the exhibits alive.

Adult volunteers, usually numbering about five or six, typically meet on Wednesday mornings, but Bach is flexible when it comes to accepting help. The tasks volunteers perform include bringing in donated items, cataloging them and preserving them. The cataloging process involves marking pieces, and entering their information into a file card, ledger and computer. Computer skills are important to input inventory. All items must be preserved in the best possible way available to the museum, which is not climate controlled.

Student volunteers typically are in seventh through 12th grades; however, older students have participated in the past and are welcomed. The student program begins with an informational meeting in the Shed, followed by a tour. Interested students and their parents should attend on June 7 at 10:30 a.m. The program for student volunteers requires a commitment of an hour a week over the summer. 

In addition to giving tours of the museum, special events are offered for students. Last year, students dressed in party attire and attended a mock reunion of former Jail employees. According to Bach, the program offers an opportunity for a diverse group of children and young adults to interact and work together.

Indirect volunteers also serve the museum. Boy Scout Troops 15 and 2, and Tolland Garden Paths regularly contribute to maintaining the exterior of the Museum and work on other projects. 

Due to the limited amount of help available, the museum can remain open only on Sundays during certain times of the year or by appointment. This year, the museum, located on the Tolland Green, opens on May 22 and closes in October. 

Interested in volunteering? Call Kathy Bach at 860-872-7716 or email old52jail@yahoo.com or visit the museum on a Wednesday morning or a Sunday starting May 22.