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

Tavern Night:
Friday June 8th, 7 pm
Squires'Tavern
Reservations are required

CT Open House Day:
Saturday June 9th, 1 pm
Squires'Tavern
Old Photos Program

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.

"Tavern Night" at Squires' Tavern

June 8, 2012 7-10PM - Have you ever wondered what a night at the Tavern would have been like when it was open for business so long ago? WELL...The Barkhamsted Historical Society is opening the Tavern for business Friday June 8th from 7PM-10PM.We will have contra dancing,period food and beverages, old fashioned games to try, a presentation on Taverns in Barkhamsted and conversation among the visitors just like it might have been. Guests are encouraged to dress in period clothes. You don't have to dress up but it would make it more fun!

Reservations are required and a limited number of tickets will be available due to fire code rules of occupancy. Tickets are $15 per person(children free) and may be purchased at:The Riverton General Store,The Pleasant Valley General Store or Squires' Tavern(open Wed 9-12 and Sun 1-4PM). The Tavern is located at 100 East River Rd. in Barkhamsted. Come join in the experience of life as it used to be in Barkhamsted when the Tavern was "open for business".

Questions call:Noreen 860 738-1152

Other Upcoming Activities

June 9th 2012 1-4PM CONNECTICUT OPEN HOUSE DAY

Squires' Tavern,home of the Barkhamsted Historical Society will participate in CT. Open House Day,Sat. June 9th and will be open from 1PM-4PM fro tours and a program featuring old photos of Pleasant Valley.The Tavern is located at 100 East River Rd, Barkhamsted and admission is free. CT.Open House Day is sponsored by the Connecticut Commission on Culture and Tourism and is held each year at historic sites, art galleries, museums etc and is an attempt for Connecticut residents to become aware of all that our state has to offer.

Questions call:Noreen 860 738 1152

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.