Two Floors to Visit - Museum Hours Sat: 1-4; Sun: 10-4

Our Summer 2026 exhibit is “Stitches in Time—200 Years of Quilts and Handiwork,” an exploration of textiles from our collection that brings women’s creativity, skill and enduring influence into sharper focus.

Long dismissed as merely “women’s work,” quilting, embroidery, sewing and other domestic crafts reveal a far richer and more powerful narrative. Rooted in necessity, these practices became vital forms of expression in a world that frequently confined women’s voices. With needle and thread, women documented their lives, safeguarded cultural traditions and claimed space for identity and reflection within a society that seldom recorded their achievements.

“Stitches in Time” features an exceptional selection of hand- and machine-stitched quilts, historic samplers and rarely displayed heirloom textiles from the Society’s collection. A selection of antique sewing machines is also on display on the museum’s second floor.

Also, new display this summer, “Chester’s Italian American Community”

This display highlights the families who came to Chester from Italy at the turn of the 19th century and helped shape the town’s character and history. Through photographs, artifacts, and personal stories, visitors can explore how Italian immigrants built strong community ties and left a lasting mark on the town.

Materials from the Historical Society’s archives were brought together to complement the membership rolls, meeting minutes and account books of the Italian American Mutual Aid Society. The voices and experiences of the families who journeyed from Italy to Chester in the early 20th century were essential. Thus, the idea of a community scrapbook project celebrating Chester’s Italian families was born. Drawing on the list of families from the 1976 Bicentennial book “Today’s The Day: The Story of the Italian Americans of Chester,” the project is intended to expand the historical record through individual family histories. We have already received calls and emails from descendants eager to share their stories and photographs, and we expect many more will come forward as the project continues.

The story of Italian immigration is an essential chapter in Chester’s history. We hope you will visit—and if you are part of one of the families who made their way to Chester over a century ago, we invite you to share your story and become part of this ongoing history.

The second floor is still home to our 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.