Current Events
UPCOMING EVENTS
Kid’s History Hunt
September 16th, 2023 at 10:00am
at the Branford Green
Kids and parents, join us for an exciting hunt to uncover sites of historical signifigance in Branford’s town center.
Tai Chi at the
Harrison House
Alden M. Young:
Branford’s Thomas Edison?
October 11th, 2023 at 6:00pm
at the Blackstone Memorial Library
The Shoreline Trolley Museum. The Pine Orchard Yacht & Country Club. Some of the Branford Land Trust properties. Stone pillars. The light switches in your home. Yowago Avenue. What do all of these have in common? If you’ve guessed already, you know some Branford history! The common link is Mr. Alden Young. Join Matt Radulski, our own Branford Historical Society President, for a presentation of all Alden Young’s amazing contributions to our town!
Young’s Pond History Walk
October 14th, 2023 at 2:00pm
at 60 Blackstone Avenue
Join us along with the Shoreline Greenway Trail for a Saturday history walk at Young’s Pond.
ON-GOING EVENTS
TOUR THE HARRISON HOUSE MUSEUM
The Historic Harrison House Museum at 124 Main Street, Branford is open to the public for free guided tours every Saturday, from 1-4 pm, June through the end of September or by appointment. (Donations are appreciated)
For more information email us at: tours@branfordhistoricalsociety.org
The circa 1724 saltbox house and property is recorded on the National Register of Historic Places, and is maintained by the Branford Historical Society. It features period furnishings and Branford artifacts.
Also on the two-acre site, is the Harrison House Barn with a display of local period tools, a colonial flower garden, and a lovely herb garden. The gardens were established and are beautifully maintained by the
Branford Garden Club.
TOUR SEASON IS
JUNE – SEPTEMBER
SATURDAYS, 1-4 PM
BUT YOU CAN ALWAYS CONTACT US TO SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT FOR A PRIVATE TOUR AS LONG AS WE’RE ABLE TO ACCOMODATE.
TOURS@BRANFORDHISTORICALSOCIETY.ORG
Historic House Plaques & Research Service
The Branford Historical Society offers house plaques to identify historic structures and landmarks in Branford. Properties are acknowledged by date of construction and by original or historically recognized owner.
Non-Members:
Sign-up to receive
Email Updates about our Upcoming Programs
And if you’re interested in becoming a member and supporting the Historical Society, click the button below to learn more.
Coronavirus Announcements
Due to the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, our 2020 & 2021 Annual Meeting & Dinner in May, as well as our 2020 & 2021 Annual Strawberry Festival in June, and our 2020 & 2021 Annual Holiday Open House in December, unfortunately had to be cancelled.
All 2020 Harrison House Tours were cancelled, and we did not hold our regular visiting hours from June through September. Tours were resumed for the 2021 season.
Our 2020 Annual Meeting was held virtually on December 2nd and our 2021 Annual Meeting was held virtually on November 16th
From early 2020 through late 2021, we held our planned Programs virtually through the Blackstone Memorial Library’s online portals.
In November 2021, we were able to hold our Witness Stones Project Program in person again, with safety precautions in place, and plan to continue this for most of our programs going forward.
After two years off, we held our 2022 Annual Strawberry Festival again in June, as well as our 2022 Annual Meeting which was postponed from May to September. We were also able to hold our 2022 Annual Holiday Open House again in December.
We continue to send out information to our members and update our website as things progress, but as of mid-2022, we have been able to return to all of our normal operations.
RECENT EVENTS
Strawberry Shortcake at the Branford Festival
Fresh sweet strawberries & real whipped cream!
June 17, 2023 ~ Saturday only
10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
(or until berries run out!)
Near the Souvenir Tent
Next to the Trinity Church
To volunteer, contact membership@branfordhistoricalsociety.org
or call (203) 488-4828
2023 Annual Meeting & Dinner
Thursday, May 18th at 5:30pm
at the Pine Orchard Club
Presenting a talk by Robert Barnett
“Stone Buildings and Building Stones: Stony Creek Granite and Portland Brownstone“
(based on his new book, “Deconstructing Stone Buildings: A Journey Through New England”)
Keep on Digging:
Using Land Records for Genealogy Research
Wednesday, April 26th at 6:00PM at the Blackstone Memorial Library
Join us as Town Historian, Jane Bouley shares how to use land records to uncover a wealth of historical genealogical information.
Weren’t able to make it? No problem. Click below to view the recording.