Historic Wethersfield

Wethersfield, CT

Lantern Light Tours

October 9th, 10th, and 11th. The 17^th Annual Old Wethersfield Lantern Light Tours

Join Wethersfield Historical Society for a special America250 Lantern Lights Tour! Participants will travel around Wethersfield as actors share stories about Wethersfield during the American Revolution. Tours depart from the Keeney Memorial Cultural Center (200 Main Street) every fifteen minutes between 6:30pm and 8:00pm. More information and ticket sales to be announced…

The French Alliance & The Road to Yorktown

July 21st, 7:00pm. Lecture: The French Alliance & The Road to Yorktown

University of Maryland History Professor Dr. Richard Bell delivers The French Alliance & the Road to Yorktown as the next installment of Wethersfield Historical Society’s American Revolution Program Series. Wethersfield resident Silas Deane played a crucial role in helping to establish the important alliance between the U.S. and France. This lecture explores the important role that this alliance played in the American Revolution and how it evolved over time, from France providing secret support with guns and other matériel to working directly with the U.S. to beat the British at the decisive siege of Yorktown. Admission: $10 General Public; Free for current members of Wethersfield Historical Society.

At Keeney Memorial Cultural Center, 200 Main Street, Wethersfield. Admission: $10 General Public; Free for current members of Wethersfield Historical Society. For more info visit, www.wethersfieldhistory.org.

New-Gate’s Role in the Revolution

June 2nd, 7:00pm. Lecture: The Catacomb of Loyalty; A Deep Dive into New-Gate’s Role in the Revolution

Wethersfield Historical Society presents The Catacomb of Loyalty: A Deep Dive into New-Gate’s Role in the Revolution, a lecture given by Morgan Bengel, curator and site administrator of Old New-Gate Prison & Copper Mine. This talk is part of WHS’ ongoing American Revolution Program Series and explores how loyalists and POWs were treated here in Connecticut during the war.

Founding Mothers

May 14th, 6:30pm. Lecture: Founding Mothers

As part of its American Revolution Program Series, Wethersfield Historical Society presents historian Dr. Amanda Goodheart Parks. Parks will deliver Founding Mothers, a lecture about women in Wethersfield and across the colonies who made significant contributions to the American Revolution. Despite Abigail Adams famously exhorting her husband and his fellow Founding Fathers to, “…remember the ladies,” history has largely forgotten their efforts. This lecture shares the extraordinary stories of notable women across the nation (Martha Washington, Mercy Otis Warren, Polly Cooper, and others) who helped America win its independence.

Captain Moses Tryon

April 24th, 7:00pm. Lecture: Captain Moses Tryon: Local Hero in a Global Conflict

Wethersfield Historical Society presents Joseph Morneault, former director of historical music at the USS Constitution Museum, as part of its American Revolution Program Series. Morneault is the author of an upcoming biography on Wethersfield resident Moses Tryon. Learn all about Tryon’s contributions to the American Revolution made while captaining several privateer vessels during the war.

Songs of 18th Century America

March 10, 7:00pm. Songs of 18th Century America

Wethersfield Historical Society’s American Revolution Program Series continues with soprano Linda Russell and Songs of 18th Century America. Interspersing local history with music from the period including ballads, Revolutionary War anthems, and love songs, Linda uses music to bring the history of the Revolution in Wethersfield to life.

At Keeney Memorial Cultural Center, 200 Main Street, Wethersfield. Admission: $10 General Public; Free for current members of Wethersfield Historical Society.

Summer Music Series: First Company Governor’s Foot Guard Band

July 3rd, 6:00pm – 8:00pm. Kycia Farm Summer Music Series

Come celebrate America250 with The Friends of the Kycia Farm along with friends, neighbors, and the community on the Kycia Farm lawn for a night of free music and good vibes. Performing will be First Company Governor’s Foot Guard Band!

Kycia Farm is located at 310 Highland Street, Wethersfield, CT 06109.

Memorial Day Parade & Ceremony

May 23rd, 9:00am. Memorial Day Parade & Ceremony

Come join Wethersfield in the heart of the historic district to honor and remember those who sacrificed their lives for our freedom, America250 style! More info to come…

Memorial Day Parade in Old Wethersfield and Memorial Day Ceremony immediately following in the Village Cemetery.

The parade will step off at 9:00 a.m. and will head west on State Street to Nott Street then to Garden Street. It will then proceed down Garden Street, cross over Church Street and turn left onto Main Street. The Reviewing Stand will be at the intersection of Main Street and Church Street. The parade will end at Hartford Avenue. The Memorial Day Parade Ceremony will take place at the intersection of Main Street and Marsh Street on the grass in front of First Church of Christ.

Organizations interested in marching in the parade may make a request to do so by going to the parade’s website at https://www.wethersfieldct.gov/286/Memorial-Day-Parade click on “Marchers Application Form” on the main page.

Forgotten Patriots Exhibit

🇺🇸January though March 15th, Forgotten Patriots🇺🇸

The Wethersfield Historical Society’s Forgotten Patriots is currently on view in the Watson Gallery of the Keeney Memorial Cultural Center through Sunday, March 15, 2026.

While women, Blacks, and Native Peoples played a vital role in securing American independence from England, their contributions to this struggle have been too long forgotten. In honor of the 250th anniversary of American independence, Wethersfield Historical Society explores the stories of Abner Andrews, Caesar Freeman, Elizabeth Deane, and other forgotten patriots in this exhibit.
Admission to the Wethersfield Museum is free, but donations are gratefully accepted.

Keeney Culture Memorial Center Hours:

January & February: Closed Mondays, Tuesdays, and Wednesdays. Open Thursday through Sunday during regular hours (Thursday – Saturday: 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM, Sunday: 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM).

March will add Wednesdays back into the schedule.

After its run in the Watson Gallery, this exhibit is available for display in other venues. For more information about bringing Forgotten Patriots to your site, please call (860) 529-7656 or email society@wethersfieldhistory.org.

Forgotten Patriots Exhibit Opening Reception

November 14th, 7:00pm – 8:00pm. Forgotten Patriots Exhibit Opening Reception

Join the Historical Society for an opening reception for the Forgotten Patriots in the Rotary Room of the Keeney Memorial Cultural Center (200 Main Street, Wethersfield). All are welcome to attend.

Forgotten Patriots is a new interactive traveling exhibit that will be on view in the Watson Gallery of the Keeney Memorial Cultural Center from Saturday, November 15 to Sunday, March 15, 2026. While women, Blacks, and Native Peoples played a vital role in securing American independence from England, their contributions to this struggle have been too long forgotten. In honor of the 250th anniversary of American independence, Wethersfield Historical Society will explore the stories of Abner Andrews, Caesar Freeman, Elizabeth Deane, and other forgotten patriots in this exhibit.