Two Floors to Visit

New!: On our first floor, we tell the story of Chester’s 70 water-powered industries, on 20 sites along the two branches of the Pattaconk Brook that ran west to east, joining in the center of town. The story, titled “The Pattaconk & Its Mills," comes alive on an 86-inch touchscreen. In fact, in fall 2024 we received an Award of Merit for the exhibit from the Connecticut League of Museums.

The exhibit features details of all 20 sites, with hundreds of images. Touching a mill site on the screen begins a remarkable search of the water-powered industries that thrived in Chester. The diversity of products manufactured is surprising! Find out more through our 4-minute video overview of the exhibit in our YouTube library.

Additionally, visitors can browse our display cases of “Made in Chester” items. For instance, Silliman’s inkwells, and Bates’ knitting needles, and Gladdings brushes, and Russell Jennings’ augers, and so much more.

On the second floor (reachable by stairs or elevator) is the award-winning, long-term exhibit,  “Streams of Change: Life & Industry along the Pattaconk.”  The exhibit interprets the growth and evolution of Chester and how the town adapted over 300 years.  This exhibit won the 2011 "Leadership in History Award of Merit for Exhibits" from the American Association for State & Local History, and the 2011 "Award of Merit for Exhibits" from the Connecticut League of Historical Organizations. This exhibit is annually refreshed and renewed with new features.