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Contact Avon Historical Society - 860-678-7621 |
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The Living Museum |
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In 1830, Connecticut was still mainly agricultural: towns were rural communities. They had artisans to allow them to be fairly self-sufficient, but natural resources were sparse and capital was scarce. Construction of the Farmington Canal in 1825 and its operation to Northampton, Massachusetts, influenced the establishment of Avon in 1830. The canal's north-south direction intersecting with the east-west Albany Turnpike (now Route 44) put Avon at a commercial crossroad. Drawings from the 1840's, and photos of the 1930's and 1990's, show the various stops along the way. Also included in the Museum is a topographical diorama of the canal through Avon and engineer maps showing the exact specifications of how it was built in town. Through a series of artifacts, memorabilia, historic photographs and maps, we invite you to step back in time and return to Avon, Connecticut, as it was in 1830, the year of its incorporation. We will recreate and examine Avon's history as part of our local heritage, bridging yesterday to today. ___________________________ 8
East Main Street Free
Admission, Open from 2 to 4pm Every Sunday, June
through October, or by Appointment Avon Historical Society - 860-678-7621 |
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(C) Avon Historical Society P.O. Box 448, Avon, CT. All Rights Reserved |
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This
building was originally Schoolhouse No. 3 in West Avon, built and opened
in 1823 and in use as a one room schoolhouse until 1938. When threatened with demolition in 1981 to
make room for the town's new library, The Avon Historical Society, along
with concerned citizens and businesses helped to dismantle and restore the structure on its present site
on East Main Street.