The Branford Historical Society, Inc.

Come visit the Harrison House Museum and Barn for FREE tours today 1-4PM; learn the history of the Harrison House and Branford.

The earliest known view of Branford is the 1838 engraving of John W. Barber of the Green. The buildings from left to right show the original Episcopal Church, the Academy and the Congregational Church. Both church buildings have been replaced by the current structures. The Academy was moved to the rear of the Congregational Church in 1857 to make way for the Town Hall and again moved in 1973 to its present location. Information adapted from Jane Bouley's 16 June 1993 article in the Branford Review.

On 4 September 1933, a hot air balloon participating in an international race landed in Hotchkiss Grove. The pilots, Navy Commander T.G. W. Settle and Lt. Charles H. Kendall, left Chicago and traveled 52 hours covering 750 miles before landing at the Grove owned by Homer Griffing. Only a few people saw the hot air balloon come down, among them Melville Baisley of Bradley Avenue, who was driving by and found the rope draped across his windshield. 📸 -- Melville Baisley and information adapted from Jane Bouley's 5 September 2001 article in the Branford Review.

We hope everyone is enjoying their Labor Day celebrations!

Happy first day of school to ! Pictured is the construction of Branford High School's addition in 1982. Who remembers the construction? 📸 -- housed in the James Blackstone Memorial Library's archives in Branford Historical Society Photographs, Box 49, Photo 244

Come visit the Harrison House Museum and Barn for FREE tours today 1-4PM; learn the history of the Harrison House and of Branford!

THANK YOU to all the attendees who welcomed General Lafayette to Branford 200 years after his visit during his 1824 Farewell Tour. Thank you to our speakers - Jane Bouley, Branford Town Historian, Robin Comey, State Representative for the 102nd District and Jamie Cosgrove, First Selectman of Branford. Thank you to for generously acting as the Lafayette family and adding your Mobile Menagerie to the event. Thank you to BCTV and The Sound for covering Lafayette's return. Thank you to the for funding the Lafayette trail marker and last but not least, thank you to the Historical Society's Board members and volunteers! We are thrilled this was such a successful event. If you missed it, you can visit the Harrison House Museum every Saturday 1--4PM through September. 📸 -- Michael Ingmanson

Will you attending Branford Flip for Lafayette tomorrow?! We hope to see you there at this FREE event - 5PM at 124 Main Street, Branford - Harrison House Museum and Barn!

Come visit the Harrison House Museum and Barn for FREE tours today 1-4PM; learn the history of the Harrison House and its unique three-seat outhouse! (We also are very excited for fall and these gorgeous colors)

We are so excited for General Lafayette's return to Branford on Thursday, 22 August at 5PM at Harrison House Barn and Museum, 124 Main Street, Branford. Will you be in attendance for this FREE KID FRIENDLY event?! Stickers created by

At the turn of the twentieth century, Branford waters were very popular for sailboats of all sizes and annual regattas were held in the Thimble Islands. The Pine Orchard Club was founded in 1901 and moved to its present location in 1916 to provide mooring for members' yachts. The Branford Yacht Club was founded in 1909, sustained considerable damage in the 1938 hurricane losing 99 of 100 boats and moved to its present location in 1946. The Johnson family of Short Beach and the Edwin Baldwin family of Branford were early pioneers in the building of naphtha launches and motorized boats became as popular as sailboats. Today, hundreds of pleasure boats are moored at many locations along the Branford River at public and private docks. Branford is known as one of the yachtsman's finest ports for facilities on Long Island Sound. 📸 -- a postcard published by The Collotype Co., year unknown; information adapted from Jane Bouley's 24 June 1992 article in the Branford Review.

"The Leather Man first appeared on Connecticut roads about 1857 and was a familiar sight for the next 30 years. He wore only leather from his head to his toes; his entire outfit weighed over 60 pounds. He followed a precise 360 mile course through Connecticut and New York, which took exactly 34 days. He passed through Branford, stopping at Harding’s Grocery Store at 116 Montowese Street. His health began to fail during the blizzard of 1888 and his body was found on March 24, 1889 in a cave near Ossining, N.Y." 📸 -- James F. Rogers; located at James Blackstone Memorial Library in The Branford Historical Society, Inc.'s photography archive, caption taken from Branford 1644-2019 article

The Harrison House Museum and Barn is open for FREE tours from 1--4PM today at 124 Main Street. We will see you there!

When was the first transcontinental telephone call to Connecticut made? It was made from San Francisco to the Doolittle home (pictured) in Pine Orchard, Branford in 1915. 📸 -- located at James Blackstone Memorial Library in The Branford Historical Society, Inc.'s photography archives

Sheldon House was among the 20 summer hotels that once dotted Branford’s shore. It stood on the bluff between the Pine Orchard Club and Thimble Farms Road with a magnificent view of the Thimble Islands. The hotel was started as a boarding house by Jerry Sheldon and his wife Caty Lanphier of Branford. After World War II and half-dozen owners, the summer hotel era in Branford was coming to a close but the Sheldon House remained open longer than most. In 1960 it closed its doors after 119 years of continuous operation and the five acres with 500 feet of waterfront was sold to a developer. The entire complex was torn down to make way for new housing except for one bungalow that still stands today on the site. 📸 -- Earl Colter and information adapted from Jane Bouley's article on Sheldon House post on the James Blackstone Memorial Library's website; Sheldon House sign is located at the Harrison House Museum and Barn

Poetess Ella Wheeler Wilcox started Short Beach's Illumination Day in 1884 and was annually held in August. Swimming and canoe races were held at Long Beach (Beckett Avenue) along with a diving competition. There was also a naphtha launch regatta, many activities for children and fireworks in the evening. All of the cottages along Shore Drive were strung with Japanese lanterns called "illuminations." The lanterns were lit when the bell rang at the Chapel, truly a beautiful sight. Sound familiar? Well, it may as eventually Illumination Day became Short Beach Days and the event was moved to Labor Day weekend. 📸 -- photo and information adapted from Jane Bouley's 21 August 2002 article in the Branford Review

Pictured is Royal G. Hoadley standing next to his U.S. Mail Rural Free Delivery wagon at the turn of the century. The U.S. Mail Rural Free Delivery service began in February 1902; previously, residents had to go to the post office in Branford center to get their mail. Short Beach and Pine Orchard had their own post offices for their summer residents. The U.S. Mail Rural Free Delivery service had three routes and the drivers were paid $700 a year delivering via horse and wagon or sleigh as needed. Carriers sold stamps and wrote letters for people who could not write. When the last horse "Bobby" died in 1923, carrier Burt Shepard bought a Ford to deliver the mail. 📸 -- courtsey of Irving and Carol Hoadley and information adapted from Jane Bouley's 18 June 1997 article in the Branford Review

The Branford Historical Society is excited to welcome the Marquis de Lafayette, proudly on horseback, to the Harrison House in Branford to celebrate the bicentennial of his 1824 visit on 22 August 2024 at 5PM at Harrison House Museum and Barn on 124 Main Street! This is a FREE event.

The Society has planned an unparalleled experience celebrating Lafayette’s Farewell Tour of 1824/25, complete with “Lafayette” himself and special guests. Be sure to bring the little ones and visit Fox Field Farm's mobile menagerie of kid friendly farm animals and join us in a toast of Colonial inspired beverage known as a ‘Flip’ as we unveil the trail marker that will permanently designate the importance of this momentous occasion.

Attendees are encouraged to wear white as was customary during Lafayette’s farewell tour of 1824. If you have any questions or would like to volunteer on the day of the event please e-mail us at [email protected]

Ever wonder the history of this fountain? The Lewis Water Fountain situated near the public dock in Stony Creek was financed by Kate A. L. Chapin of Meriden who summered in Stony Creek. The fountain was unveiled on 9 August 1917 and dedicated to Chauncey Lewis, Chapin's father. The water fountain is made of Stony Creek granite and carved by local stone cutter John Melander, who was considered one of the finest carvers in the area. He unfortunately died on 23 May 1918 in a quarry accident. Information adapted from Jane Bouley's 15 June 1994 article in the Branford Review.

Become a member of The Branford Historical Society, Inc. in July and be entered to win a gift card from Common Grounds!

It's National Ice Cream Day 🍦🎉 so we are throwing it back to Harris Hart Co. Ice Cream which was located at 1004 Main Street 📸 -- located at James Blackstone Memorial Library in The Branford Historical Society, Inc.'s Box 20, Photo 242

Did you know the Stony Creek Theater (now known as ) was once a factory for women's undergarments? The factory was founded in 1943 by Joseph Kispert of Hamden. He sold the company to Charles Collini and from 1946--1960 the theater building became home to Materna-Line, Inc., a designer and manufacturer of corsets. Today, the Legacy Theatre is being used for its original intended purposes to provide and create stage performances. Check out their social media to see all of their amazing productions! 📸 -- 's webpage and information adapted from Jane Bouley's 7 December 1988 article in the Branford Review

Happy 4th of July! Have enjoyable and safe celebrations!

We are so excited to be working with BCTV to increase the Society's streaming content on YouTube. Thank you to BCTV for their hard work and dedication to these stories and images. Check us out - https://www.youtube.com/

With its rich history and innovative menus, Lockworks Hospitality Group is thrilled to introduce Saltbrick Prime and Lockworks Tavern as the two newest dining destinations in the beautiful town of Branford, Connecticut. Branford Lock Works (BLW) Square was once the town’s largest employer and lock producer. Saltbrick Prime and Lockworks Tavern honor the space's pastime through incorporating unique artifacts that speak to the building’s history are also on display in the tavern for patrons to view. The lockworks displayed in the restaurant are from the Branford Historical Society's collection. We are thrilled to loan the lockworks to Lockworks Hospitality Group and wish them all the success in their newest endeavors!