Historic Stonington

Independence Day Parade
2022-07-04 09:45 - 12:00 (America/New_York)

The Cannon Ball
2022-06-25 17:00 - 22:00
Join us on June 25th, 2022 for the Cannon Ball!
Celebrating from River to River
The Mystic and the Pawcatuck are what defines the boundaries and the legacy of Stonington.
Join us at the Cannon Ball to celebrate these rivers and all that lies between!
Tickets are available now at thecannonball.givesmart.com!
Can’t attend? No worries! Stay tuned for more information about bidding in our virtual silent auction.

History of the Stonington COMO
2022-06-16 18:30 - 20:00

MEMBERS ONLY: Stonington Battle Flag Viewing
2022-06-14 | The R. W. Woolworth Library & Research Center, 40 Palmer Street, Stonington, CT, 06378, United States
Come celebrate Flag Day with SHS!

Stop by the R. W. Woolworth Library and Research Center anytime between 5 and 7pm on Flag Day to view the Battle of Stonington flag. The flag is only brought out once every few years, so this is truly a special opportunity!

Event is free and for members only. Not a member but want to come see the flag? Support SHS and become a member online today!

CT Museum Open House Day
2022-06-11 10:00 - 16:00

Yoga at the Palmer House
2022-06-02 08:00 - 09:00
Join Chelsea Hauck of Bluebird Yoga for classes at the Captain Palmer House this summer. Relax Thursday mornings at 8am. For more information and to register, click here: https://chbluebirdyoga.com/palmer-house

Yoga at the Lighthouse
2022-06-01 10:30 - 11:30 | The Old Lighthouse Museum, 7 Water Street, Stonington, CT, 06378, United States

The Bee's Knees
2022-05-26 18:00 - 20:00
Join us for the third in our series of historic drink programs, this time at the Lighthouse. Chelsea Mitchell, the Librarian with a Liquor License will be pouring a selection of cocktails with a prohibition theme from 6-8pm. In addition to fun and interesting drinks, you’ll also have the chance to try some 1920s snacks and bites. Tickets are $35 for non-members and $25 for members and will be available May 1st.

Museums Open
2022-05-13 10:00 - 16:00 | The Old Lighthouse Museum, 7 Water Street, Stonington, CT, 06378, United States

MEMBERS ONLY: Stonington's Literary Legacy Walking Tour
2022-04-23 10:00 - 12:00
Join SHS staff for a walking tour highlighting Stonington’s literary legacy!

2nd Annual Rosalie Thorne McKenna Community Photography Exhibition
2022-04-16 13:00 - 17:00
We are proud to announce our second annual photography exhibition, sponsored by ABC PhotoLab!

Named for portrait-photographer Rosalie “Rollie” McKenna, this annual exhibition is held to inspire new generations of photographers, as well as to continuously document our changing town by the people who live in it.

This year’s theme is “Neighbors.” All ages and skill levels are welcome to enter. Photos will be displayed at the Lighthouse Museum in the spring and the winners will be selected by the community.

Submit your photos to library@stoningtonhistory.org before April 1st to enter!

CT and the Pandemic of 1918
2022-04-06 18:00 - 19:30 | The La Grua Center, 32 Water Street, Stonington, CT, 06378, United States
Join the Stonington Historical at the La Grua Center for a presentation by the Connecticut Historical Society on Connecticut, Stonington, and the Pandemic of 1918!

Event is free. Space is limited; guests are asked to wear a mask during the event.
Event will be livestreamed on our Facebook page.

Rosalie Thorne McKenna Community Photo Contest Entry Deadline
2022-04-01 08:00 - 17:00
In an effort to preserve and celebrate the town’s artistic legacy, we are proud to present a community-wide photography contest. Named for portrait-photographer Rosalie “Rollie” McKenna, this annual photography contest is held to inspire new generations of photographers, as well as to continuously document our changing town by the people who live in it. We also hold this contest in memory of Rollie McKenna, who left a photographic legacy to Stonington and the world through her determination, creativity and passion for photography. May we always remember the path she forged for women in the arts!

Rules :

All ages are welcome to participate

Photographs entered must be original work of the contestant

Photographs may be shot digitally or on film

Contestants must be a current resident of Stonington, Westerly or Mystic

Photographs must have been shot within the past year (2021)

Photographs must be entered with a caption that includes the following information: title of the image, date and location where it was taken, contestant’s name, and a brief explanation of how the image relates to this year’s theme. If the image features people, please identify them.

The theme for the contest is “Neighbors.” What does living in the town of Stonington mean to you? How do you interpret neighbors or neighborhoods?

All photographs entered will be retained in the archives of the Stonington Historical Society. The Stonington Historical Society reserves the right to use these photographs with a credit line to the photographer in advertising or promotional materials.

Winners will be selected by the community by popular vote.

First place wins a Family Membership to the Stonington Historical Society. In addition, the first prize winner will have access to the Maurice LaGrua darkroom at the Woolworth Library, and act as an honorary photography fellow. Second place wins a Family Membership. Third place wins an Individual Membership. The three winning images will be displayed at the Lighthouse Museum for the 2022 season.

McKenna Honorary Photography Fellow has access during Library open hours to the Maurice LaGrua darkroom for one year. Chemistry materials are provided by the Historical Society, but film and paper must be supplied by the fellow. If the winner has no experience in dark room techniques, lessons can be arranged. Two copies of Any images produced in the darkroom will be donated to the Stonington Historical Society, and serve to increase our modern documentation of the town for posterity.

MEMBERS ONLY: Tour of the Robinson Burying Ground
2022-03-26 10:00 - 12:00 | Robinson Burying Groud, Broad St, Stoington, CT, 06378
Members get an exclusive tour of the Stonington Borough’s Robinson Burying Ground with our Executive Director, Liz Wood.

Meet us at 1 Wheeler Court. Space is limited, so please register below!

https://docs.google.com/…/1FAIpQLSfibv2y6f0…/viewform…

This event is for members only. Not a member? You can become one today at stoningtonhistory.org!

The History of the Steamboat Hotel
2022-03-13 17:00 - 19:00 | Stonington Free Library, 20 High St, Stonington, CT, United States
Join the Stonington Free Library and the Stonington Historical Society on
Sunday, March 13 th at 5 p.m. for a free presentation on the history of the Steamboat Hotel. Stuart Vyse, a
a retired psychology professor who taught at Connecticut College, Providence College, and the University
of Rhode Island, will present the talk.
Vyse, an accomplished writer and an expert on superstition and irrational behavior, began researching
the building he lives in, the former Steamboat Hotel, as “something of a pandemic side gig.” Built by
Gilbert Wheeler before 1840, the Steamboat Hotel has witnessed almost 200 years of Stonington's
history. From the early days of the railroad and steamship lines, it has hosted intemperate railroad
workers, immigrants, businessmen, dignitaries, families, and war veterans.
Vyse calls his research “a labor of love and a gift to the village that has been my home for over 20
years.” He is working on a manuscript of the history of the Steamboat Hotel and guests will be able to
pre-order copies of his forthcoming book.
The presentation is free for all and is a hybrid event – guests can join in person at the Stonington Free
Library (20 High St, Stonington, CT 06378). Presentation begins promptly at 5 p.m. Space is limited;
guests attending in-person are asked to wear a mask. The presentation will also be live-streamed on the
Stonington Historical Society’s Facebook page. (https://www.facebook.com/stoningtonhistoricalsociety)

Fur-miliar Friends: Pets of Stonington, Past and Present
2022-03-02 09:00 - 17:00 | The R. W. Woolworth Library & Research Center, 40 Palmer Street, Stonington, CT, 06378, United States
Stop by the R.W. Woolworth Library and Research Center to see our newest exhibition, featuring photos of Stonington’s pets, past and present.

Exhibit is free to view. The Woolworth Library is open Mondays and Fridays from 1 – 5pm and Wednesdays from 9am – 5pm.

Special Hours for “My Freedom is a Privilege that Nothing Else Can Equal”
2022-02-04 10:00 - 16:00 | The Old Lighthouse Museum, 7 Water Street, Stonington, CT, 06378, United States
Join us at the Lighthouse Museum for special hours to view our newest exhibition: “My Freedom is a Privilege that Nothing Else Can Equal:” The Story of Venture Smith and Slavery in Stonington.
Admission is free for all.
The project received financial support from the State of Connecticut’s Department of Economic and Community Development.

MEMBERS ONLY: First Look at “My Freedom is a Privilege that Nothing Else Can Equal”
2022-02-03 13:00 - 20:00
Members get a first look at our newest exhibition: ““My Freedom is a Privilege that Nothing Else Can Equal” The Story of Venture Smith and Slavery in Stonington.
Stop by the Lighthouse Museum anytime between 1 – 8pm on Thursday, February 3rd to see the exhibit before it opens to the public!

MEMBERS ONLY: If Walls Could Talk
2022-01-25 19:00 - 20:30
Join Director of the Woolworth Library, Chelsea Mitchell, at this virtual program on how to research your historic home.
Registration is required – please register here!
Event will be recorded and distributed to members after the event.

Woolworth Library and Palmer House Closed
2021-12-24 08:00 - 2022-01-01 17:00

The Nightcap Before Christmas
2021-12-09 18:00 - 20:00 | Captain Palmer House
Join Library Director Chelsea Mitchell for a night of delicious and festive historical drinks and foods on Thursday, December 9th from 6-8pm in the Palmer House. Ever wanted to experience a true Charles Dickens Christmas? Come and imbibe some holiday spirits, and learn about Christmas traditions of the past and present. We’d love for you to join us! Tickets may be purchased by going to our homepage and clicking “Buy Tickets” in the upper right corner.
If you have any questions or concerns, please email Chelsea Mitchell at cmitchell@stoningtonhistory.org.

Deck the Walls Open House
2021-12-03 10:00 - 16:00 | Captain Palmer House

Deck the Walls Preview Party!
2021-12-02 16:00 - 20:00 | Captain Palmer House

As American as Pumpkin Pie
2021-11-10 18:30 - 20:00 | Online
Join The Food Historian, Sarah Wassberg Johnson, on November 10th to learn more about PUMPKINS! How did a humble gourd, native to the Americas, come to dominate our holiday food scene? Learn more about the history of the pumpkin, their role in early colonial America, and how to make a 19th-century pumpkin pie from scratch in this online event! Event is free and welcome to all. Please pre-register at the link below!
https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZAkce2uqzwjE916SFDV6SA0MxC4BfSrBIzy

Woolworth Library Closed
2021-11-03, 2021-11-01

All Hallows Eve at the Palmer House
2021-10-31 17:00 - 19:00 | Captain Palmer House
Celebrate All Hallows Eve at the Palmer House this year! Stop in between 5pm and 7pm on Halloween for trick or treating, scary ghost stories, and a spooky haunted house.
Free and family friendly. We can’t wait to see your costumes!
Please direct any questions to cmitchell@stoningtonhistory.org.

Stones and Bones
2021-10-21 16:00 - 17:00 | Stonington Cemetery, 345 North Main Street, Stonington, CT, 06378
Join Executive Director Elizabeth Wood on a tour of the Stonington Cemetery, Thursday October 21 at 4pm. Learn about the interesting and strange people who have called Stonington home; artists, veterans, paupers and famous people of the past. Offered in collaboration with the Stonington Cemetery Association.

This is a members event and requires registration. Please email Maddie Mott to register at mmott@stoningtonhistory.org.

If you’re not a member but would like to be, please visit our membership page to join us!

From the Vault: 19th Century Death Culture
2021-10-15 18:00 - 19:00 | The R. W. Woolworth Library & Research Center, 40 Palmer Street, Stonington, CT, 06378, United States
Join us for our next monthly members event – From the Vault. This month we will be focusing on objects and materials in our collection that relate to 19th century death culture. Stop into the Woolworth Library anytime between 6pm and 7pm on Friday, October 15th to view strange and fascinating items which include a pristine mourning dress from 1875; jewelry made from the hair of deceased loved ones; postcards of the frozen victims of a steamboat crash, and much more!
If you’re not yet a member, and you’d like to be, make sure you visit our membership page to join.

Captain Palmer House Closes
2021-10-15
