Stamford History Center facts for kids

The Stamford History Center is a special place in Stamford, Connecticut. It's a non-profit group that helps people learn about the city's past. They are also part of the New England Museum Association, which connects museums in the region.

Discovering Stamford's Past

How the Center Started

The Stamford History Center began a long time ago. It was first created in 1901. By 1909, it officially became the Stamford Historical Society, Inc. In the beginning, they collected items from old farms. These included wooden tools, old furniture, and items made of iron, pottery, pewter, and silver.

The Historic Hoyt-Barnum House

For many years, starting in the 1950s, the society was located at the Hoyt-Barnum House. This house is on Bedford Street and is the oldest house in Stamford. It's so important that it's listed on the National Register of Historic Places. This list helps protect important historical places.

A New Home for Collections

In 1979, the Historical Society received a very generous gift. A woman named Charlotte Dewing Smith Cruikshank left them a large collection. This was called the Cruikshank Collection. It included 350 pieces of old American furniture and other items. She also left money to help the society.

Because of this big new collection, the society needed a larger building. So, in 1984, the Historical Society moved. Their new home was the Martha Hoyt School. This was an old stone schoolhouse built in 1914. The City of Stamford owned the building.

Moving the Oldest House

In November 2016, something amazing happened. The City of Stamford moved the Hoyt-Barnum House. They moved it from Bedford Street to the Historical Society's campus in North Stamford. This move was needed to make space for a new police station.

A New Name for a New Era

In 2017, the leaders of the society decided on a new name. They voted to call it the Stamford History Center. This new name helps show that the organization had changed its physical location. It also reflects its mission to share Stamford's history.

Exploring the Marcus Research Library

The Stamford History Center has a special library. It's called the Marcus Research Library and Archives. This library is full of historical information. You can find books, pamphlets, and magazines here. It also has many old documents.

These documents include handwritten materials from the 1600s to today. There are also 200 bound books of old writings. These date from the 1700s to the 1900s. The library also keeps maps, atlases, and newspapers from different centuries. It's a great place to learn about the past.

Where to Find the Center

The Stamford History Center is located at 1508 High Ridge Road. This address is in Stamford, Connecticut.