Barkhamsted Historical Society
100 East River Road, PO Box 94
Pleasant Valley, Connecticut 06063

Phone: 860 738-2456

Squire's Tavern Hours
Sundays 1:00 - 4:00pm
Wednesdays 9:00 - 12:00

Upcoming Events

BHS Program:
Friday May 11th, 7 pm
Senior Center
John Banks on Civil War

BHS Tag Sale:
Saturday May 19th, 9 am
Barkhamsted Highway Garage

Site Highlights

Town History

Learn about and explore Barkhamsted's history.

Community

The Community section of this website consist of:

Forums - where you can post or read messages.
Journals - detailed entries on selected topics.
Newsletters - download BHS newsletters.
Photo Galleries - all of our selected photos are here.

Historical Tour

Short tour of historic sites in Barkhamsted.

Town Diary

One of our goals is to record current events, cultural happenings and what now may seem to be some of the more mundane tidbits of everyday life in this town of Barkhamsted, Connecticut. We feel that as time passes, the information preserved here will provide a fascinating glimpse of "the way things used to be".

Genealogy

The Barkhamsted Historical Society is an all volunteer organization with no paid employees. We accept genealogical inquiries but unfortunately we just do not have the resources to help you with more than just basic questions. Click here for information on how to contact us.

If you would like to volunteer to research genealogical inquiries, we would be most grateful! We desperately need help in this area. If you have any interest at all, PLEASE contact us!

Current Topics

Upcoming, recent and past activities of the Barkhamsted Historical Society (current and most recent stuff at the top). For additional information and photos involving work at the Squire's Tavern and other happenings and issues, please visit our Historical Society Log.

Maps Available

1874 Map of Barkhamsted

The Historical Society is selling reprints of the F. W. Beers 1874 map of Barkhamsted. This colorful map (shown above) shows the 12 old school districts and has most of the houses (with owners names) that existed at that time. The map is on heavy textured paper, measures 13.75 inches by 21 inches and is suitable for framing. It is available for $7 at Historical Society events such as the flea markets, annual meetings and open house days at the Squire's Tavern. It is also available by mail for the price of $10 including shipping. Proceeds from the sale of these maps help support Historical Society activities.

Books

	Barkhamsted Heritage We have a limited number of this comprehensive Barkhamsted History Book. First published in 1975 and reprinted in 1990. 345 pages (softcover).
	Purchase includes a 1 year BHS Membership
	Barkhamsted Schoolhouses The Early Schoolhouses of Barkhamsted written by Michael Day. 36 pages (booklet). With pictures and accompanying text we provide an introduction to the basics of 19th century education along with a brief history of the various districts that served the neighborhoods of Barkhamsted.

Join the Historical Society

The Historical Society is always looking for the support of new members. If you want to become an active member and/or work on one of our projects or special committees, we definitely want to hear from you!

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Greetings:

The Barkhamsted Historical Society is working to preserve and share the history and culture of the Connecticut town of Barkhamsted. In these pages we hope to share with you information, sights and flavors of Barkhamsted, past and present.

Center School, circa 1910

The Barkhamsted Historical Society's one room schoolhouse, the old Center School on Center Hill Road (Rt. 181) in Barkhamsted, will be open to the public on the following dates during the summer of 2012:

Sunday, April 29, 1:00 to 4:00 PM
Sunday, May 27, 1:00 to 4:00 PM
Sunday, June 24,1:00 to 4:00 PM
Sunday, July 29,1:00 to 4:00 PM
Sunday, August 26,1:00 to 4:00 PM
Sunday,September 30, 1:00 to 4:00 PM

Come and find out what school was like in "the old days". Ask questions; read the old books; review a high school entrance exam; try your hand at various toys and games, or do some arithmetic problems on a slate. All free of charge! Children are especially welcome.

Historical Society Annual Program Series

May 11, 2012 - John Banks, a Civil War buff from Avon, has researched several families in Connecticut who lost multiple family members in the Civil War. His efforts have uncovered a Barkhamsted connection- the Lee family. John will discuss the moving story of the Lee brothers, other Connecticut family stories, as well as some of the details of the Civil War.

All programs start at 7:00 p.m. at the Barkhamsted Senior Center, located on West River Road about one mile north of the Pleasant Valley bridge. Refreshments are provided and the programs are free.

Other Upcoming Activities

May 19th 2012 9 AM Barkhamsted Historical Society Tag Sale
The Barkhamsted Historical Society is having it's annual tag sale,Saturday May 19th starting at 9 AM at the Barkhamsted Highway Garage on Rt.44,near the entrance to the RRDD recycling center.If you have furniture,tools,collectibles or anything else we could sell,please consider donating to BHS.This is our main fundraising effort and your support will be appreciated.

For pick up call :Paul Hart 860 379 1861.In any case ,come to shop from 9AM till 2 PM.

The 24-page booklet, Barkhamsted Lighthouse, by Dr. Ken Feder, tells the story of the Barkhamsted Lighthouse community, and the archaeological research by Dr. Feder and his team. Price $15 includes shipping.