Upcoming Events
2013 Museum Opening – May 25, 2013
Our new exhibit at Chester Museum at The Mill, “Over the River & Through the Woods: A Century of Transportation in Chester,” opens to Society members on Friday, May 24, with a reception from 5 to 7 p.m. The Museum opens to the general public on May 25. See you there!
Recent Events & Activities
Side Doors and Dizzy River Bands
Benefit Concert – April 20, 2013
The concert featured two local bands as they made a live recording of their music in the historic Chester Meeting House. They played to a full house and everyone present had a memorable evening.
2013 Bone Art Challenge – March 23, 2013
The Society came up with another fun challenge linking Chester history and art. The 2013 Bone Art Challenge had 41 artists participate and a packed Meeting House for the auction and reception.
Stories of Chester’s Trolley – Feb. 24, 2013
This presentation was one of the most successful events the Society has ever had. Bruce Edgerton and Ted Mackenzie related stores on the building of the Old Saybrook to Chester segment of the Shoreline Electric Railway to a packed Meeting House.
Antique Appraisal Day – November 10, 2012
The 9th Chester Historical Society Antiques Appraisal was held November 10 at St. Joseph’s Parish Center. With the assistance of 13 professional appraisers 330 items were evaluated.
When the Trains Stopped at Chester – Nov. 4, 2012
Max Miller, who is well known around the state as the Connecticut Valley Railroad Historian, talked about the history of railroading in the lower Connecticut Valley, especially in Chester at the Chester Meeting House.
The Chester Historical Society sponsored this program as the initial step in its 2013 exhibit at the Chester Museum at The Mill. The exhibit, which will be called “Over the River and Through the Woods,” will focus on different modes of transportation in Chester over a 100-year period.
Laurel Hill Cemetery Walk – October 27, 2012
On Saturday, October 27, approximately 65 residents joined Chester Historian Rob Miceli and Chester native Cheri Ferrari Habersang, both of whom are longtime members of the Chester Historical Society Board of Trustees, on a walk through Laurel Hill Cemetery. They talked about the history of the cemetery, and how and when it got started. They also discussed different stones and what the symbols mean on many of them.
Square Roots Fundraiser – May 19, 2012
A Champagne Reception and Silent auction held at the Meetinghouse of 35 unique works created by local artists. Each creation was based on a simple aluminum square frame, a knitting gauge manufactured in the 1950s in Chester by the former C. J. Bates & Son.
3rd Grade Day at the Museum – April 2012
Chester Elementary School students visited Chester Museum at The Mill for a full day focusing on the town’s four pre-1905 school districts and experiencing a typical school day of that time. The day concluded with a bus tour of the sites of the four district schools.
Antiques Appraisal Day – March 2012
Nine area appraisers shared their expertise at this Society fundraiser held at St. Joseph’s Parish Center.
Characters of Chester – February 26, 2012
Six people prominent in Chester in the 1950-60s were featured in the newest edition of this continuing series held in te Chester Meetinghouse. The notables included Shirley Miceli, a pharmacist and owner of Chester Pharmacy; Harry Archambault, Archambault Insurance; Robbie Collomore, owner of Robbie’s; Johnny Dengler, owner of Dengler’s Service Station; Johnny Zanardi, original owner of John Zanardi Oil Co.; and Jim Grote, Chief and Fire Marshall of Chester Hose Co. Approximately 150 people gathered at the Meeting House to listen to and share their individual stories of these special men and woman.
Christmas Door Decorating Contest 2011
In this first-time event, residents were judged on the appearance and impact of their holiday decorations.
6th Grade Day at the Museum
Docents welcomed Chester Elementary School students who spent the full day viewing Chester Voices of the Civil War and the award-winning Steams of Change exhibit on the second floor. A scavenger hunt exercise highlighted the Civil War exhibit.
Antique Appraisal Day – November 2011
Six Experts viewed and appraised 300 items at this Society fundraiser held at Chester Village West.