The Hamden Historical Society
We are a non-profit organization dedicated to the collection and preservation of materials relating to the history of our town. The Society, founded in 1928 and incorporated in 1945, is a 501(c)3 nonprofit, volunteer organization. Its mission is to collect and preserve materials relating to the local history of Hamden, to restore and preserve the Jonathan Dickerman House Museum, and to stimulate interest in and document the history of Hamden.
As Hamden’s unofficial historic preservation agency, the Society works to highlight and preserve the town’s architectural heritage. Over the years we have published Hamden: Our Architectural Heritage, worked to restore and preserve the Jonathan Dickerman House Museum and Cider Mill Barn, saved the Rectory School Barn from demolition. We continue to work with the Hamden Historic Properties Commission to document and preserve buildings of historic importance and interest in the town of Hamden.
To promote the public’s interest in Hamden’s legacy and in the people who have been instrumental in the growth of this town from its early settlement to its present vibrancy, the Historical Society offers tours of the Dickerman House Museum, exhibits in the library and at other venues, lectures on topics of local and regional interest, publish biannual newsletters to members, and annually hosts The Giant Valley Antique Show sponsored by the Giant Valley Association of Antiques Dealers at the Miller Memorial Library and Cultural Center. We were also instrumental collecting photographs and archival materials for the publication Images of Hamden, published by Arcadia Press in 2004, as well as numerous other publications.
The Society maintains an archive, containing family, government, church, and other related historic records and artifacts dating back to the year 1730. These items are available for investigation at the Hamden History Library Room at Miller Library during scheduled hours or by appointment.
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