HISTORICAL SOCIETY OF EAST HARTFORD

Welcome to the website of the Historical Society of East Hartford


*CONTENTS* *Historical Society* Homepage What We Do - Makens Bemont House - Goodwin Schoolhouse - Burnham Blacksmith Shop - Selden Brewer House Our Officers How To Join To Contact Us SNET 2000 Mil Grant *Newsletters* *Programs* *History Online* East Hartford Refs Research CT *Updates* Recent Updates		What We Do The Historical Society of East Hartford works to promote an understanding by the public of life in early East Hartford by sponsoring programs and events of historical interest, by guiding visitors through its museums, and by preserving its collections of local antiques. Holds Public Meetings with Historical Programs The Society holds its annual dinner meeting with an historical program in September. Regular meetings are held in November, January, March, and May usually on the 3rd Wednesday of the month. There is a business meeting followed by a program of historical interest. Check the listings under Programs for meeting locations, dates, and times The public is welcome to attend these meetings. Except for the September dinner there is no fee. Donations are always welcome. ~~~ Maintains and Displays Museums The Society maintains a three building complex in East Hartford's Martin Park on Burnside Ave for showcasing facets of the city's history: The 1761 Makens Bemont House (commonly called the Huguenot House) depicts the home of a fairly prosperous late 18th/early 19th century East Hartford workingman. The 1820s Goodwin Schoolhouse displays items as they might have been used in an early/mid 19th century school. The 1850s Burnham Blacksmith Shop displays late 19th and early 20th century tools and equipment used in the East Hartford area. Guided tours by Society volunteers are available at the park in the summer months. There is no fee but donations are gladly accepted. For dates, times, and more information call 860-528-0716 and visit CONTENTS > Programs "Martin Park's Historic Houses Open for the Summer". ~~~ Sponsors Historical Events Over the years the Society has presented historical displays, teas, and events. Recent highly regarded shows were The Old Quilt Show, Bridal Gowns Through the Years, an Old-fashioned Ice Cream Social fund raiser, the reenactment of a Reading Room in Baxter Springs, Kansas in the Summer of 1865 at a local Civil War Reenactment, the celebration of the Installation of the East Hartford Washington-Rochambeau Revolutionary Route Marker at the Raymond Library. ~~~ Paranormal Investigations From May through October the Society offers investigations by interested paranormal organizations at the museum buildings. The Martin Park site has an active history of paranormal activity. Teams throughout New England have visited. We have a suggested donation of $10 per person payable on the night of a scheduled investigation. If interested, contact the Society at our e-mail address paranormal_studies@hseh.org. ~~~ Preserves Buildings of the Past The Society has continually suppported the preservation of older buildings in East Hartford. While not always successful there have been notable successes in saving and restoring the Huguenot House, the Goodwin Schoolhouse, and the Blacksmith Shop and moving them to Martin Park, in saving and restoring the Brewer House and moving it to the corner of Main and Naubuc Sts, and in saving and restoring the early 1900s Comstock Building on Main St. ~~~ Dates Historic Houses The Society helps those living in East Hartford date their homes and sells date placques for homes built before 1900. ~~~ Recognizes Student Interest in History For a number of years the Historical Society has awarded an excelling high school student, having an interest in history, with a book on the history of East Hartford as an encouragement to continue his/her interest for a lifetime. ~~~ 05/06 ~~~