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 Feb. 10th, 7 pm
Senior Center
Peg Gills on Frank DeMars

BHS Program:
Friday March 9th, 7 pm
Senior Center
Lucy Lavin on Native Americas

BHS Program:
Friday April 13th, 7 pm
Senior Center
Mr Sullivan on trade apprentices

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


Site Highlights

 
Learn about and explore Barkhamsted's history.
 
The Community section of this website consist of:
Short tour of historic sites in Barkhamsted.
 
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".
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!
 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

Purchase 1874 Barkhamsted Map
 
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

Puchase Barkhamsted Heritage
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.
  Puchase Early Schoolhouses 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!

 

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.

A circa 1925 photo just up the East River Road from Squire's Tavern (the Tavern would be right behind the photographer).  These are the beloved pair of black horses owned by the Ullmanns who farmed here from the 1880s to almost 1930.  The fields in the background are now the main recreational area of People's Forest.  The barns are no longer standing.  This may be Oswald Ullmann preparing to go down to the Greenwoods pond in New Hartford and Pleasant Valley.  The family cut and hauled ice from Greenwoods Pond back to the farm where it was stored in an ice house for use in warmer weather.  This was in the days before Barkhamsted roads were plowed during winter, and sleighs and sleds were common means of transportation. 


Historical Society Annual Program Series

Our program series for the winter and spring of 2012 is set.  Each year we offer a program on the second Friday of each month from February to May.  We are very excited about the lineup, which include:

February 10, 2012 - Peg Giles will relate the fascinating story of her grandfather, Frank DeMars and his extensive collection of photos.   Frank DeMars took photos about 100 years ago of scenes in area towns and purchased collections of other photographers.  Peg will talk about this and how she has brought the photos to light.
 
March 9, 2012 - Lucianne Lavin is the Director of Research and Collections at the Institute for American Indian Studies in Washington, CT.  She will talk about Native American life in the Farmington River Valley including their culture, diet and stone tools.
 
April 13, 2012 - Northwestern Regional history teacher Mr. Sullivan will present a program on the early American system of trade apprentices.  He will focus on the story of a couple of runaway apprentices in Connecticut.

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.


 


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.



 
Terms Of Service | Privacy Policy
All Copy and Images Copyright © 2012 Barkhamsted Historical Society All Rights Reserved.
Website services by Great-Webs.Com
Powered by Community Server (Non-Commercial Edition), by Telligent Systems