T. A. Hungerford Memorial Library and Museum

The T.A. Hungerford Memorial Library and Museum is one of Harwinton’s best kept secrets.

Shortly before his death in 1903, A Harwinton boy who had gone out into the world and did very well, Theodore Hungerford, was considering the building of a suitable mausoleum. A nephew, Newman Hungerford, who had spent many summers in Harwinton and loved the town, encouraged his uncle to consider donating a library building and trust fund for its maintenance as his memorial. The elder Hungerford liked the idea, wrote the provision into his will, including the fact that a tomb would be included in the foundation of the building, and made Newman the trustee of the project.

Today, although no longer serving the town as a public library, the Museum offers a glimpse into Harwinton’s past through the many items on display. Throughout the summer a featured display is Civil War artifacts and a display of Quilts.

Newman Hungerford collected artifacts of the town’s history, a practice that has been carried on and has formed the basis of the Library-Museum’s current collection.

Another featured display is the civil war collection where many item s are displayed under glass.

There is also displays on early crafts, paintings, furniture, old dishes and woodenware, Indian Baskets, mortors and arrowheads found in Harwinton, Photo albums, ancient diaries and a lot more.

The Museum is open on the following Saturdays from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. and admission is FREE!

2009 Summer Special Exhibits will be announced in February

2009 SCHEDULE

June 13th & 27th
July 11th & 25th
August 8th & 22nd
September 12th & 26th
October 10th

For special appointment please call Dane or Carol at 485-0517

Come on in and see and learn what the past was like in our home town.