Historical Societies
Litchfield Historical Society
7 South St. | 860-567-4501
The Litchfield Historical Society is dedicated to presenting the history of the town through dynamic exhibits, diverse programs, growing collections, and innovative research. The Historical Society is comprised of the Litchfield History Museum, the Helga J. Ingraham Memorial Library, the Tapping Reeve House and Litchfield Law School, and the Tapping Reeve Meadow. The historical society is open to the public free of charge and presents rotating exhibits.
Tapping Reeve House and Litchfield Law School
82 South St. | 860-567-4501
The Tapping Reeve House and Litchfield Law School takes visitors on a journey through the 19th century life of a real student who came to Litchfield for an education at the Litchfield Law School—the nation’s first law school—or the Litchfield Female Academy. Touring the school showcases the evolution of law education and instruction, while exploring how Litchfield became home to such a valuable institution.
Bantam Historical Society
The Bantam Historical Society has acquired and preserved old glass plate negatives, photographs, post cards, signs, documents, and other local memorabilia. Displays are presented at the Bantam Borough Hall, and arrangements can be made to view the entire collection. The historical society created a display at Bantam River Park with a 19th century carriage built in Bantam by the Flynn & Doyle carriage-making factory (859 Bantam Rd. on the site of the United Methodist Church of Bantam, destroyed by the 1989 tornado).
Milton Historic District
The Milton Historic District, four miles northwest of Litchfield Center, features churches, schools, a former water power site, and houses in the village of Milton that include examples of pre-Revolutionary War architecture and later 19th-century structures, remaining in their original relationship to one another. The centerpiece is the Common, unimproved land at the intersection of Milton Road with Headquarters and Shearshop roads. Activity in the historic district is overseen by the Milton Historic District Commission.
Northfield Historical Society
38 Main St. (Northfield) St. | 860-283-8176
The village of Northfield, bordering Thomaston and Harwinton, is known for the Northfield Knife Company (1858-1926), whose ruins were listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1997. The Knife Shop Dam and waterfall are a scenic attraction. The Northfield Historical Society has a display case in the local Gilbert Library, home to its archives.
Topsmead Cottage Tours
Buell Rd. | 860-567-5694
Free Guided Tours of Edith Chase’s cottage at Topsmead State Forest will resume in June 2022 and continue on the second and fourth weekends of each month through October for the season. The English Tudor-style cottage is decorated with Chase’s international collection of art and antiques. Topsmead is a 510-acre state forest gifted by Chase in 1972 to the citizens of Connecticut. It includes bike and nature trails, formal gardens, and bird habitats.
Art Galleries
Jennifer Terzian Gallery
3 South St. (below street level)
714-932-5497
Established in 2021, the gallery focuses on drawing, works on paper and small paintings by emerging and mid-career artists with an emphasis on Process art.
Switch Gallery
931 Bantam Rd. | 860-480-6693
Switch Gallery is an independent art gallery featuring contemporary fine art from established and emerging artists located on the lower level of the historic Bantam Arts Factory alongside the Bantam River in Bantam Borough.
The Jamie Gagarin Art Gallery at OWL
160 South St. | 860-567-8030
The Oliver Wolcott Library features art exhibits that rotate every two months in the Jamie Gagarin Community Room & Gallery. Opening receptions with the artist are held on the first Thursday of every other month from 5- 7 p.m. All exhibits and opening receptions are free and open to the public. (The gallery shares its space with the community and library events, so call to confirm the gallery is open before visiting.)
Marie Louise Trichet Art Gallery at Wisdom House
229 East Litchfield Rd. | 860-567-3163
Wisdom House is nonprofit interfaith retreat and conference center presenting programs in spirituality, wellness, the arts, and ecology, while offering hospitality to academic, civic, nonprofit, and business organizations. It’s also home to an art gallery that has shown a wide variety of artists over more than 25 years. Visit the gallery Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. (It is advisable to call to inquire about Saturday hours before visiting).
Bantam Frameworks
607 Bantam Rd. | 860-567-4768
Bantam Frameworks offers archivally correct methods, museum quality materials, and a vast selection of frames for everything from valuable artwork to photos and children’s drawings.
Alofft Gallery
41 West St.
860-361-6389
Alofft Gallery opened in June across from the Green in Litchfield Center and showcases artists from Connecticut to California.
FIND • Art Kids Art Studio
760 Bantam Rd.
At FIND • ART Kids Art Studio in Bantam, art world veteran Krisitie Matuszewski fosters creative exploration, hands-on learning and making experiences for young artists.
Theaters & Performing Arts
Bantam Cinema & Arts Center Inc.
115 Bantam Lake Rd. | 860-567-0006
A nonprofit organization revived the former Bantam Cinema with a diverse program of films, including new first-run movies,, theater, music and visual arts that seeks to inspire, educate, and engage its audience.
Concerts on the Green
860-567-7569
The town’s Park & Recreation Department sponsors Wednesday evening concerts on the Litchfield Green in the summer. In 2020, Park & Rec partnered with area restaurants in businesses, which offered discount and specials for the concerts.
Litchfield Community Center Summer Concert Series
421 Bantam Rd. | 860-567-8302
Each summer, the Litchfield Community Center sponsors a concert series with popular region bands offering a diverse variety of music. It’s also the home of the Litchfield Hills Farm Fresh Market in the late fall, winter, and spring, and hosts lots of other events, including a popular Brewfest.