Planning Your Research Visit

The library and archives are open Tuesday-Friday, 10 am until 4 pm, and by appointment. We are closed on major holidays and from Christmas Eve through New Year's Day. If you are making special plans to visit, we encourage you to contact us prior to your visit so that we can make best use of your research time. Due to high volumes of researchers and low numbers of staff, there will be times that we cannot accommodate drop-in research requests. To make an appointment, please call (860) 364-5688 or e-mail sharonhistoricalsociety@yahoo.com to confirm.

We are a research library; please note that items may not be checked out.


 

There is a copy machine on premises. Copies must be made by the museum staff and at the discretion of the museum staff. B/W copies are $.15 each; color copies are $1.00 each.

Items allowed in the library:

  • Laptop computers
  • Research materials in open folders or binders
  • Pencils
  • Pagers and cell phones
  • Sweaters and jackets normally worn indoors

Items NOT allowed in the library:

  • Large backpacks, purses, briefcases
  • Umbrellas and outerwear
  • Pens, markers
  • Chewing gum, food, or other materials potentially hazardous to the collection
  • Personal copiers

NOTE: Digital cameras and scanners by permission only. No marks should be added to or erased from any library materials. Patrons should observe the existing order and arrangement of all materials. Items that appear to be misfiled should be reported to museum staff.

A "Culture Café" is housed in the 1775 Gay-Hoyt House, featuring history and art exhibits. Bring your own wireless laptop or use our public access computer. A new feature of the museum is a Discovery Room geared towards community members ages 1-12 featuring hands-on activities. Public rooms are furnished with comfy leather chairs and couches that create a pleasant environment to relax and learn. Visitors may bring snacks or lunch to eat in our facility, and the coffee pot is on from 10-noon.

The Sharon Historical Society is a 501(C3) community museum and history center (established in 1911) that serves as a resource for dynamic programs and compelling exhibitions inspired by an extensive collection of objects that date back to the region's early settlers. Located at 18 Main Street in Sharon, CT, its primary mission is to connect people to the town of Sharon, its history and its culture. We do this by employing a wide range of techniques, some specific to museums and others designed to challenge the (mis)conception of a museum's role in the community. We believe that the museum will best serve our community by presenting a variety of cultural pathways to inspire residents to become proud citizens with strong roots.

 
Directions

18 Main Street (Route 41)
Sharon, CT 06069-0511
860-364-5688
sharonhistoricalsociety@yahoo.com

From Hartford, CT

Take US-44/Albany Avenue West through West Hartford, Simsbury and Canton to US-202 South, towards Torrington (10.3 miles). In Torrington, turn right onto East Elm Street/CT-4. Continue on 4 out of Torrington through Goshen, and into Cornwall (10.9 miles). Following Route 4, turn left onto Cemetery Hill Road (CT-4) (11.9 miles). Stay on CT-4 crossing over the Cornwall Bridge (12.3 miles). At the intersection with the Sharon Clock Tower, turn right onto Main Street / CT-41. The SHS is the second driveway on the right.

From Millbrook, NY

Take US-44 East 9.5 miles. Stay straight to go onto NY-343/E Main Street. Continue to follow NY-343 5.0 miles, crossing in to Connecticut. At the Sharon Clock Tower turn left onto Main Street/CT-41. The museum is the second driveway on the right.

From Lee, MA

Take US-20 / Housatonic Street to MA-102 West / Pleasant Street. Follow MA-102 4.6 miles. Turn left onto South Street/ US-7 South, 6.6 miles. Turn left onto Main Street/US-7/MA-23/MA-41, 1 mile. Turn right onto Maple Ave/MA-23/MA-41. Continue to follow MA-23/MA-41 3.9 miles. Turn left onto Under Mountain Road/MA-41. Continue to follow MA-41 14.5 miles, crossing into Connecticut. Turn left onto Sharon Road/CT-41. Continue to follow CT-41 7.0 miles. The SHS will be a driveway on your left at the bottom end of the Sharon Green.

From New Milford, CT

Take East Street/US-202 7.7 miles. Turn slight left onto E. Shore Road/CT-45. Continue to follow CT-45 North 10.3 miles. Turn right onto Kent Road/US-7 for 1 mile. Keep left at the fork to go on US-7. Turn slight left onto Cornwall Bridge Road/CT-4, go 7.7 miles. Turn right onto Main Street/CT-41. The SHS is the second driveway on the right.

 
Admission Fees

Admission is free to the museum.

 

 

 

View Complete Gay-Hoyt House History | View Our Exhibits | View Our Programs & Events

 

 

 

 

 

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Sharon Historical Society, 18 Main Street, Sharon, Connecticut
860-364-5688 | sharonhistoricalsociety@yahoo.com
Museum Hours 10AM - 4PM

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