About the Society
The Coventry Historical Society is a non-profit group dedicated to discovering, collecting and preserving whatever pertains to the history of the Town of Coventry and promoting historical research in all its aspects and making available to the members of the Society and to the public, the results of this research.
As part of our mission (Mission Statement and By-laws), the Society provides local schools with materials and resources to tell children the story of Coventry's rich history and its place in the history of our great nation. The Society has several projects currently underway including the restoration of the North and South Coventry Hearses, restoration of a 19th century Armstrong Wagon, built in South Coventry, and restoration of the carriage shed at the Strong-Porter House. Future projects include restoration of the barn at Strong-Porter and reconstruction of the "Great Barn" that once stood on the property. Donations towards these projects are gratefully accepted.
New members to the Society are always welcome and the Society has something to offer for all ages. Volunteer opportunities of all kinds are available. Please email us at WriteToUs@coventrycthistoricalsociety.org for more information about the Society, how to join, to volunteer or to make a donation.
General membership meetings of the Coventry Historical Society are held in conjunction with special events several times a year. Please see our Calendar of Events for specific information. A brief business meeting is usually held prior to the program for the evening. The meeting concludes with a social gathering and refreshments. Please email the Society for times and places of these meetings. All meetings are open to the public.
The Executive Board meets on the 2nd Monday of each month to carry on the business of the Society.
Our fiscal year runs from October 1 to September 30. Officers are elected and the budget approved at the September meeting. All meetings are open to the public. The Society's newsletter, The Signpost, is sent to members as well as other local historical societies and interested organizations.
Strong-Porter
Museum - circa
1730, is listed on the National Register of
Historic Places and serves as the Historical Society's
Museum. Five rooms of the house, as well as several
outbuildings, including a carpenter shop, carriage sheds,
and barn are open to the public. Of special interest is the
19th century privy, recently returned to its original
location and accurately restored. The Great Barn Foundation,
located at the back of the property was uncovered in 2002.
The barn originally stood two-stories high, with livestock
housed on the upper, ground level floor that was accessed by
ramps at either end of the barn, and equipment and other
farming implements being housed on the lower
level.
Located at 2382 South Street, just west of the Nathan Hale Homestead, Coventry, Connecticut 06238 - Open seasonally June through mid-October. Admission is free.
Brick
Schoolhouse - built 1823-25, is located on Merrow Road . This school is the center of study and
research on what school was like in the early 20th century
up through present day schools. The Society's Education
Director, Ginney Dilk, has been working diligently to
collect oral histories from people who attended school in
the one-room schoolhouses in Coventry . She has received
many donations of photographs and other memorabilia from
former students and teachers. These items are on display at
the Brick School seasonally, May through October.
The Brick School is open to the public on the first and third Sundays of the month, May through October from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. and on special occasions. Our "Sundae on a Sunday" ice cream social is held at the Brick School each year on Fathers' Day. It's a great time to see the school and listen to folks reminisce about school in the good ole days. Admission is free. Donations are gratefully accepted.
Merrow Road, at the intersection of Goose Lane, Coventry, Connecticut 06238 - Open seasonally mid-May through mid-October. Admission is free.
The Society continues to participate in local history studies with the Coventry schools. The Society recognizes the need to teach children to understand the importance of preserving history. As they grow older, we hope they will continue to be active participants in the preservation of our history.
Coventry Colonial Camp, cosponsored with the Antiquarian & Landmarks Society, is a one-week day camp held in July for youngsters in the 5th, 6th, and 7th grades. All Coventry Historical Society sites, as well as the Hale Homestead, are used for this program.
The Society also works collaboratively with Eagle Scouts on individual projects that contribute to the preservation of Coventry history.