Cheshire Historical Society

Cheshire Historical Society Organized in 1951, the Cheshire Historical Society is a group of old and new residents who have a des Contact us for more information.

In addition to maintaining a House Museum in the historic Hitchcock-Phillips House, we educate and assist others in their inquiries into our past and promote a love for our town and its inhabitants. Our membership dues are most reasonable, so please join our Historical Society. We would love to hear from you! Follow the Cheshire Historical Society (and the erstwhile History Hound) here on Facebook, on Instagram and on our website at http://cheshirehistory.org .

We're here until 4:00, with lots of fun activities for the kids and kids at heart!
06/13/2026

We're here until 4:00, with lots of fun activities for the kids and kids at heart!

Also at CT Open House Day, an opportunity to sign up to volunteer for Spirits Alive Cemetery Tour! Volunteers and Histor...
06/13/2026

Also at CT Open House Day, an opportunity to sign up to volunteer for Spirits Alive Cemetery Tour! Volunteers and Historical Society Members get early access to tickets šŸ˜‰

It's a beautiful day for CT Open House Day! Stop by for a visit with Rocky and take a guess at what what is in the 1976 ...
06/13/2026

It's a beautiful day for CT Open House Day! Stop by for a visit with Rocky and take a guess at what what is in the 1976 Time Capsule to be opened on July 4th. Whoever identifies the most items will win a prize that includes a gift card to a local Cheshire establishment.

On Saturday, June 6th, Town Historian Diane Calabro led a Cheshire Trail Trekkers walk highlighting Cheshire Patriotism....
06/08/2026

On Saturday, June 6th, Town Historian Diane Calabro led a Cheshire Trail Trekkers walk highlighting Cheshire Patriotism. After meeting at Humiston School, the group headed to the Library to view the display honoring Barney Barnum and showcasing his Medal of Honor, which is currently on loan to the Town. They then headed to St. Peter's Cemetery to view the grave of Eri Woodbury, born in New Hampshire, enlisted in the army in Vermont, awarded his Medal of Honor during the Civil War, and ultimately becoming the "Grand Old Man of Cheshire". The group also viewed the monument erected to the memory of Titus Moss, who was killed at Chancellorsville. The next stop was the Historical Society, to view Eri Woodbury's Medal of Honor, which was donated to the Society many years ago. The final stop was on the Green, to learn the history of the Civil War Monument.

And for posterity (once the "Story" disappears), here are ALL of the Chapman School pics!
05/29/2026

And for posterity (once the "Story" disappears), here are ALL of the Chapman School pics!

Posting in reverse order ... A visit from the Norton School Third Graders on Wednesday, May 27th!
05/29/2026

Posting in reverse order ... A visit from the Norton School Third Graders on Wednesday, May 27th!

Chapman School Third Graders visited us on May 28th. Always happy to share our love of Town history with an inquisitive ...
05/29/2026

Chapman School Third Graders visited us on May 28th. Always happy to share our love of Town history with an inquisitive group of students!

When placing flags at Hillside Cemetery this past weekend, we came across this monument, which didnā€™t have the modern mi...
05/25/2026

When placing flags at Hillside Cemetery this past weekend, we came across this monument, which didnā€™t have the modern military marker. But make no mistake, this individual was definitely deserving of a flag in recognition of his service in the "War of the Rebellion," a.k.a., The Civil War.

Horace Doolittle was born in Cheshire in 1838 and enlisted in the 1st Light Battery, as a private, on October 18, 1861. He was mustered in at Camp Tyler in Meriden (at the current location of Hanover Pond) on October 26, 1861, and reenlisted in the Veteran Corps on December 26, 1863.

The 1st Connecticut Light Artillery Battery was organized in October 1861. The members were mustered, for 3 years, into service on October 26, 1861.

The Battery started out with 156 men. Its casualty list consisted of 2 killed, 18 wounded, 2 accidentally wounded, 20 died of disease, and 4 discharged for disability.

In October 1868, the Battery held a reunion in Meriden, which was reported in the October 27, 1868 edition of the Meriden Daily Republican. About 40 members attended, including Horace Doolittle.

His obituary, which was published in the Meriden Daily Republican on February 19, 1903, notes that he was survived by a son named Sidney although his Will consistently refers to him as Frederick H. Doolittle.

Interestingly, Horace Doolittleā€™s Will named his wife Julia as Executrix and directed her ā€œto cause to be inscribed upon the monument in my cemetery lot in Cheshire, Connecticut, the date of my birth, death and age.ā€ However, his monument only lists his date of death and age.

In his Will, he also set up a Trust of $200 to be used ā€œfor the proper care and protection of my cemetery lotā€ to be turned over to the ā€œTrustees of the Town Cemetery Association of said Cheshireā€ upon the death of his wife. In fact, almost half of his Will was dedicated to cemetery marker instructions for himself, his wife, and his son ā€¦ who did not seem to make the journey to Hillside Cemetery after all.

The Suburban Garden Club of Cheshire has been at it once again, getting the Hitchcock-Phillips House all dressed up for ...
05/23/2026

The Suburban Garden Club of Cheshire has been at it once again, getting the Hitchcock-Phillips House all dressed up for the holidays ... from Memorial Day to Flag Day to Independence Day. Beautiful wreaths for both the main door and the porch door that complement the recent red, white and blue plantings. Thank you sooo much!

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Address

43 Church Drive
Cheshire, CT
06410

Opening Hours

2pm - 4pm

Telephone

+12032722574

Website

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