One of the many projects Avon's America 250 Coordinating Committee undertook for the nation's 250th anniversary was creating the Legacy Landmarks commemorative booklet.

The Committee's mission for Avon's commemoration - Celebration, Reflection, and Civic Pride - is fully embodied in these pages. We invite readers to explore Avon's outdoor monuments, memorials, and markers, each representing a facet of our town's history and the people who shaped it.

The Society has announced that the recent Pine Grove Schoolhouse renovation will be the subject of a documentary planned for 2027 entitled “A Coat of History: Preserving the 1865 Pine Grove Schoolhouse.”

Documentary filmmaker Adriana Davis of Avon-based D-Squared Media and Avon Historical Society President Terri Wilson will co-direct and co-produce it.

The documentary asks: How can this small town, inspired by America’s 250 commemoration, reignite the spirit begun by our country’s founders, who encouraged public education for all?

“Pine Grove is not a musty, do-not-touch museum. When I first walked through its doors, I could almost hear the walls whispering a life-long love of learning into my ears,” said Davis.

“To tell its story, our film needed to journey beyond its 161-year-old structure and into the hearts of a community determined to honor the power of primary education in a child’s life,” she said. “The documentary archives the building’s history and physical makeover but also peels back the layers of paint to share the memories of former students and teachers alongside the impressions of new visitors and schoolchildren amazed at what learning was about in a 19th-century environment.”

For more information about the documentary, go to: https://acoatofhistoryfilm.com

Avon Historical Society Completes Renovations to 1865 One-Room Historic Schoolhouse

New Open House Date in May 2027 to Honor Schoolhouse and the History of U.S. Public Education

PR Contact: Andrew Blum, AJB Communications
ajbcomms@gmail.com, 917-783-1680

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Avon, Conn. – September 23, 2026 – The Avon Historical Society in Avon, CT (Society) announced today that is has completed the renovation of an historic 1865 one-room schoolhouse.

The Society conducted a major three-part renovation of the iconic 1865 Pine Grove Schoolhouse to honor the history of the one-room schoolhouse in New England and throughout the United States. The renovation also marked a continuation of the celebration of America’s 250 in Avon, a hotbed of activities this year commemorating the nation’s Semiquincentennial. An open house to unveil the recently renovated building to the Farmington Valley, CT, community was set for September 26 but the event was moved due to a nor’easter that was forecasted to hit the East Coast and New England that weekend.

"Out of respect for Mother Nature, we’re ringing the final school bell on the newly renovated Pine Grove Schoolhouse for the season,” said Society President Terri Wilson. “We will reopen in May 2027 with a grand reopening party that might include other improvements that will see us staying open year-round."

The rescheduled open house will include showcasing the schoolhouse and its recent renovation, along with a range of activities, photography, and the reopening of a time capsule that was sealed during the schoolhouse's 1976 renovation 50 years ago.

Avon Town Historian Nora Oakes Howard noted that the learning of history has been under fire lately. Yet, she added, that in the midst of such attacks, and many more against the study and practice of American history, “I take heart from this historic schoolhouse and its renovation.”

“It’s all because of professionals and volunteers wanting to showcase the story of public education for children. They are broadcasting history to the visiting public – not erasing it,” Howard said, praising Wilson for spearheading the project. “Avon’s one-room schoolhouse carries a mighty message. It symbolizes Thomas Jefferson’s progressive view that only an educated public could help prevent corruption and abuse of power,” Howard said.

“History, it turns out, still matters. So do local stories that historians uncover and share,” she added. “Avon’s programs for America 250 and its restoration of the Pine Grove Schoolhouse are a triumph for our small town. For those adults and children who are so vigorously taking part in Avon’s America 250 events, I know we are making a big difference.”

The Society’s recent renovation of the schoolhouse came after its last major upgrade in 1976 when the Society signed a lease to operate it with the Town of Avon. Minor upkeep has been done over the past 15 years. The new project included painting the interior of the historic building, fixing a broken 19th-century chalkboard pulley system to raise and lower it, and repairing several small holes in the roof.

The Society also has announced that the project will be the subject of a documentary planned for 2027 entitled “A Coat of History: Preserving the 1865 Pine Grove Schoolhouse.” It is being co-directed and co-produced by documentary filmmaker Adriana Davis of Avon-based D-Squared Media and Wilson. For more information about the documentary, go to: https://acoatofhistoryfilm.com

The documentary poses the question: How can this small town, inspired by America’s 250 commemoration, reignite the spirit begun by our country’s founders who encouraged a public education for all?

“Pine Grove is not a musty, do-not-touch museum. When I first walked through its doors, I could almost hear the walls whispering a life-long love of learning into my ears,” said Davis.

“To tell its story, our film needed to journey beyond its 161-year-old structure and into the hearts of a community determined to honor the power of primary education in a child’s life,” she said. “The documentary archives the building’s history and physical makeover but also peels back the layers of paint to share the memories of former students and teachers alongside the impressions of new visitors and schoolchildren amazed at what learning was about in a 19th century environment.”

The schoolhouse, which was renovated by the Society for the 1976 Bicentennial, has been open to visitors for almost 50 years. At one time in the U.S., there were 190,000 one-room schoolhouses; Avon had seven of them. The Pine Grove Schoolhouse operated for 84 years, and is listed on the National and State Register of Historic Places.

The interior painting was done through a local partnership with Thomas Mach Interiors of Simsbury, Conn., who donated consultation, and project management services. The specialized paint was made by Farrow & Ball Paint & Paper (F&B), a UK-based manufacturer of handcrafted richly pigmented paints and unique wallpapers. F&B donated the paint for the schoolhouse.

“Thomas Mach Interiors and Farrow & Ball are delighted to support the Avon Historical Society in the thoughtful restoration of the historic schoolhouse interiors,” said Mach. “Living museums like this are more than beautifully preserved spaces - they keep the stories, craftsmanship and character of our communities alive, connecting new generations with the people and places that helped shape our shared history.”

Donors for the labor part of the schoolhouse painting included long-time Society supporter Pat Moran in memory of her mother Harriet Moran, proceeds from the Society’s TABLESCAPES 2026 fundraiser, and Delmonte and Martha Davis of New York City. Pat Moran was a nursery school student at the Pine Grove site in the 1950s. Martha Davis’s mother, Arline Judd Olson, was the oldest surviving pupil of the schoolhouse before she passed away in 2016 at the age of 100.

The interior preparation and painting work started August 5 and was completed August 21, 2026.

About the Avon Historical Society
Founded in 1974, the Avon Historical Society is a volunteer, nonprofit organization. Its mission is to identify, collect, preserve, utilize, publish, display, and promote the history and heritage of Avon, a town of 20,000 people 10 miles from Hartford. AHS leases three other historic sites: the Derrin House, the Avon History Museum, and the Horse Guards Barn. For more information, go to: https://avonhistoricalsociety.org/

About the 1865 Pine Grove Schoolhouse
The schoolhouse is operated by the Avon Historical Society, while the property is owned by Town of Avon. The schoolhouse was first a school, and then became a nursery school, a Boy Scouts troop meeting place, a singing school, and finally, a dance school. Originally built at a cost of $1,538.34, it was called the “finest school in the state” by Henry Barnard, Connecticut’s first Commissioner of Education. The schoolhouse is open seasonally during the summer to early fall on Sundays from 1:00 – 4:00 pm. It is located at 3 Harris Road, at the intersection of West Avon Road (Route 167).
For more information, go to: https://avonhistoricalsociety.org/pine-grove-schoolhouse/

About Thomas Mach Interiors and Farrow & Ball Paint & Paper
Thomas Mach Interiors, based in Simsbury, Conn., provides luxury interior and exterior painting, in-home color consulting, kitchen cabinet makeovers, and full interior design services. It also works with interior designers and has a professional painters program. For more information, go to: https://thomasmachinteriors.com/

Farrow & Ball, based in Dorset, England, is dedicated to creating eco-friendly paint and wallpaper using top ingredients and rich pigments. Each paint contains a blend of up to five pigments and an eco-friendly water-based formula. Farrow & Ball uses recyclable materials, responsibly sourced ingredients, and sustainable business practices. For more information, go to:
https://www.farrow-ball.com/us/

About D-Squared Media and Adriana Davis
D-Squared Media is a full-service production company based in Avon, CT. The company produces and edits documentaries, feature films, podcasts and corporate videos. D-Squared has offered film and video production management, writing, editing, and voice-over casting/directing services to a wide variety of clientele for the last 30 years. For more information, go to: http://dsquaredmedia.com/

History, it turns out, still matters. So do local stories that historians uncover and share. Which is why we are pleased to announce that The Hartford Courant ran an op-ed by our own Town Historian, Nora Howard, online on September 16, 2026

You can read the full story online here or the synopsis below:

Learning history has been under fire lately. On September 8, Smithsonian secretary Lonnie G. Bunch III resigned, saying he was “weary of the fray” in what the New York Times, on Sept. 8, called “withering attacks from the administration” on the Smithsonian's independence.

Taking aim at history on the exact 250th anniversary of the United States, the White House Domestic Policy Council released a report on July 4 that discredits the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History. The report was titled Saving America’s Story: How Ideological Capture at the Smithsonian Institution’s National Museum of American History Erases Our Heritage.

According to the watchdog group Citizen Historians for the Smithsonian, founded by two history professors at Georgetown University, the Policy Council demands that the Smithsonian eliminate certain stories about the disagreements, conflicts, and people who brought this country into being.

David W. Blight, Yale University Sterling Professor of History, testified before Congress and refuted the Council’s findings. He stated that historians are “storytellers,” “keepers of memory,” and “essential for any society’s need for self-understanding.” Dr. Blight warned that without knowing history, we are ignorant.

Hartford has a distinguished tradition of standing against ignorance by supporting public education. Established in 1638, Hartford Public High School is the nation’s second oldest public high school. It’s a proud heritage, but budget cuts at Hartford’s public high schools recently led to the loss of librarians.

The public library in Alex Haley's Tennessee hometown banned his book “Roots” for a short time earlier this year. Colleges are cutting costs by eliminating humanities departments. In Massachusetts, Hampshire College is closing. That’s where documentary filmmaker and historian Ken Burns studied his craft.

In the midst of such diminishments, and many more against the study and practice of American history, I take heart from a historic 1865 one-room schoolhouse in Avon, Connecticut, that still stands.

Pine Grove Schoolhouse was one of seven one-room schoolhouses located throughout Avon. It was built at a time when children attended an estimated 1,800 one-room schoolhouses in Connecticut. The Civil War had just ended, and these children were the hope of the future.

The schoolhouse opened to the public in 1976, and renovations have continued, with major work this year. It’s all because of professionals and volunteers wanting to showcase the story of public education for children. They are broadcasting history to the visiting public – not erasing it.

The historians of Avon have ambitiously put local history under the microscope in the past year. Avon’s America 250 Committee, the Avon Historical Society, the Avon Free Public Library, the Avon Senior Center, and their partner organizations are presenting a remarkable lineup of events, exhibits, programs, artwork, readings, publications, and music.

Local historians have conducted original scholarly research. Lectures by CCSU Distinguished Professor of History Dr. Matthew Warshauer have drawn packed houses; descendants of signers of the Declaration of Independence read it aloud on July 8. Upcoming in October is a historic quilt show at the Avon Congregational Church — which proudly celebrates its heritage as a church of local abolitionists.

These events and many more have filled venues with people of all ages. Children at a Declaration of Independence program lined up to sign a giant copy, as parents lined up to take their photographs. Historians and the public dedicated an Honor Roll of local soldiers in the American Revolution — the result of new research that identified 80 additional names, including that of Abel Dego, a Black soldier. The newly planted Liberty Tree is part of a nationwide program.

Participants in these programs show a grassroots love of learning history and a fascination with the past. Audiences are hungry to understand how the Declaration came about, what it meant, who fought the world war that was the American Revolution, why Connecticut as the Provision State was critical for victory, and the responsibilities of living in a democracy.

From 1865-1949, Pine Grove Schoolhouse educated students in grades one through eight in one room. Architect Thomas A. Teft designed the school as part of a movement to modernize one-room schoolhouses for the benefit of students and teachers. The effort was led by school-reform promoter Henry Barnard, Connecticut’s first education commissioner, the U.S. Commissioner of Education (1867-1870), and author of School Architecture, a Contribution to the Improvement of School-Houses (1854).

Students at Pine Grove studied reading, grammar, math, geography, art, music — and history. Even in this one small room, the teacher prioritized shelf space for a library, and students could take books home. The official Little Free Library cabinet outside the schoolhouse today recognizes this heritage.

The 1865 Pine Grove Schoolhouse will unveil its renovations of the one-room schoolhouse during a ceremony on Sept. 26.

Avon’s one-room schoolhouse carries a mighty message. It symbolizes Thomas Jefferson’s progressive view that only an educated public could help prevent corruption and abuse of power. In 1786, he sent a letter to his friend and law mentor George Wythe. Jefferson wrote about “the diffusion of knowledge among the people,” saying that “No other sure foundation can be devised for the preservation of freedom, and happiness.”

History, it turns out, still matters. So do local stories that historians uncover and share. Avon’s programs for the 250th and its restoration of Pine Grove Schoolhouse are a triumph for our small town. For those adults and children who are so vigorously taking part in Avon’s America 250, I know we are making a big difference.

Nora Oakes Howard is Avon's town historian and a member of the Avon Historical Society. A documentary about the Pine Grove Schoolhouse renovation, “A Coat of History: Preserving the 1865 Pine Grove Schoolhouse,” directed and produced by documentary filmmaker Adriana Davis of D-Squared Media, will be released in 2027. The public unveiling of the renovated schoolhouse will be Sept. 26

Avon Historical Society Renovating 1865 One-Room Historic Schoolhouse

Project Hails America’s 250th and the History of U.S. Public Education

PR Contact: Andrew Blum, AJB Communications
ajbcomms@gmail.com, 917-783-1680

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Avon, Conn. – August 5, 2026 –The Avon Historical Society in Avon, CT (Society) today announced the start of a major three-part renovation project to honor the history of the one-room schoolhouse in New England and throughout the United States.

The Society is working on a continuing renovation of the 1865 Pine Grove Schoolhouse – whose last major upgrade was in 1976. Minor upkeep has been done over the past 15 years. The new project includes painting the interior of the historic building, fixing a broken 19th-century chalkboard pulley system to raise and lower it, and repairing several small holes in the roof.

“When discussing history, I think it is important for us to keep things fresh for our community, both young and old,” said Society President Terri Wilson. “I can think of no better way to continue the celebration of America’s 250 than to preserve and commemorate this iconic 1865 schoolhouse.”

“We are 51 years into a 99-year lease with the Town of Avon, and we at Avon Historical Society promise to keep this site an authentic building for future generations to explore,” Wilson added.

The Society also announced that the project will be the subject of a documentary planned for 2027 entitled “A Coat of History: Preserving the 1865 Pine Grove Schoolhouse.” It is being co-directed and co-produced by documentary filmmaker Adriana Davis of Avon-based D-Squared Media and Wilson.

The documentary poses the question: How can this small town, inspired by America’s 250th commemoration, reclaim this evidence of our country’s earliest endeavors to provide a public education for all?

The schoolhouse, which was renovated by the Society for the 1976 Bicentennial, has been open to visitors for almost 50 years. At one time in the U.S., there were 190,000 one-room schoolhouses; Avon had seven of them. The Pine Grove Schoolhouse operated for 84 years and is listed on the National and State Register of Historic Places.

The interior painting is being done through a local partnership with Thomas Mach Interiors of Simsbury, Conn., who is donating consultation and project management services. The specialized paint is made by Farrow & Ball (F&B), a UK-based manufacturer of handcrafted richly pigmented paints and unique wallpapers. F&B is donating the paint for the schoolhouse.

Donors for the labor part of the schoolhouse painting include long-time Society supporter Pat Moran in memory of her mother, Harriet Moran, proceeds from the Society’s TABLESCAPES 2026 fundraiser, and Delmonte and Martha Davis of New York City. Moran was a nursery school student at the Pine Grove site in the 1950s. Martha Davis’s mother, Arline Judd Olson, was the oldest surviving pupil of the schoolhouse before she passed away in 2016 at the age of 100.

Interior preparation and painting began on August 5.

We will see you in May 2027 for a grand reopening celebration that may include other improvements that will let us stay open year-round.

About Thomas Mach Interiors 
Thomas Mach Interiors, based in Simsbury, Conn., provides luxury interior and exterior painting, in-home color consulting, kitchen cabinet makeovers, and full interior design services. It also works with interior designers and has a professional painters program. For more information, go to: https://thomasmachinteriors.com/

About Farrow & Ball
Farrow & Ball, based in Dorset, England, is dedicated to creating eco-friendly paint and wallpaper using top ingredients and rich pigments. Each paint contains a blend of up to five pigments and an eco-friendly water base. Farrow & Ball uses recyclable materials, responsibly sourced ingredients, and sustainable business practices. For more information, go to:
https://www.farrow-ball.com/us/

About D-Squared Media
D-Squared Media is a full-service production company based in Avon, CT. The company produces and directs documentaries, feature films, corporate videos, and corporate identity reels. It offers film and video production management, writing, editing, and voice-over/voice-casting services. For more information, go to: http://dsquaredmedia.com/

As part of the national commemoration of the 250th anniversary of the adoption of the Declaration of Independence, Avon’s America 250 Coordinating Committee invites the public to several events taking place throughout the year. All events are free to attend unless otherwise specified.

Thank you to those who were with us Monday night at the incredible event uplifting the story of Pvt. Leverett Holden and the 29th CT and putting his memorial stone, officially, on the CT Freedom Trail.  The response was overwhelming and we are sure what those in attendance saw and witnessed will be in their memories for a long time.

Luckily for all, we were able to video this important event.  You can now watch the video via this link on Youtube.  It was recorded by one of the presenters, John Mills. It is well worth the one hour of your time to watch it, especially John Mills' talk on the very new research he and his wife have done to bring Leverett’s family to the forefront in what we are sure will be a very big story, once the work is completed.

We truly hope you will watch the video and share it with others.

On behalf of the Avon Historical Society, we wish to thank the exhibitors, attendees, sponsors and many volunteers who made TABLESCAPES 2024 a great success!

This fundraiser has been held every year, except during the pandemic, since 2018.  In time for Spring, the event showcases the incredible talent of individuals, designers, florists, and local organizations who create beautiful and fun table settings. It runs for two days every March in the Belle Ballroom of the historic North House in Avon.

The Chabot Family, owners of The North House, are to be commended for their annual commitment to this event.  It is a tremendous contribution to ensure the mission of the Avon Historical Society is met.

We thank the many exhibitors who brought their talent and expertise in flower arranging, table setting, and design to create some of the most inspiring themed tables ever seen.  This year, there were interactive tables where attendees played a game, voted on their favorite movie, dug for candy, and more.

Thanks to the over 300 attendees who spent hours looking at the incredible table settings in hopes they will be inspired to create one of their own.

Many volunteers work hard behind the scenes, as they do every year, to ensure the experience is positive and creative. Proceeds from this fundraiser will go directly to the exhibit curation in the new Avon History Museum, which is slated to have a soft opening later in 2024.

The Avon Historical Society invites anyone interested in exhibiting or sponsoring TABLESCAPES 2025 to contact us!

Our 2023 event was an overwhelming success! Tracy Murphy was the first-place winner, chosen by attendees, with her table entitled “A Sneak-Peek SPRING!” Murphy, a resident of Avon, was sponsored by Services for the Elderly of Farmington.

Laura's "A sneak-peek Spring” table description read, “Spring is sunshine for the soul…” Warmth, positive vibes, and new growth. Every flower is a soul blossoming in nature. We all need a reason to blossom! It’s the one season that gives us hope for new beginnings. So let my inspiration give you a reason to blossom."

The second place was entitled “Merry Christmas,” decorated by Avon resident Laura Hunt. The third place was entitled “What’s the Buzz?” and decorated by The Garden Club of Avon members.

Honorable Mention for the "Witches" goes to Adventures in Decorating by Marie Speich and Ann Ryan

The Society thanks all exhibitors, attendees, and volunteers for making this 4th event their best ever!

"Each and every tablescape was interesting, original, beautifully staged, and creative. Our participants put much thought, time, and effort into designing and creating their tablescapes. We are very proud of all their efforts. As they left, they were already thinking of what they could be creating for TABLESCAPES 2024!" said Mary Harrop, co-chair of this annual event.

Click Here to download the brochure from the 2023 Tablescapes event for a list of all of the exhibitors, sponsors and more.

Yesterday’s Treasures by Laura Hunt

Merry Christmas! An enticing “come join us” table in a rustic country-style setting amongst a forest of trees, snow and greenery to celebrate the holidays!

The Garden Club of Avon

You’re invited to our bee-utiful garden that welcomes honeybees, butterflies, and other pollinator friends! Discover plants that will entice our winged friends with a nutritious supply of sweet nectar. “Bee” happy knowing that the plants we grow are crucial in the environment's ecosystem and the fresh foods we put on our table.

Adventures in Decorating LLC by Marie Speich & Ann Ryan.

Witches, witches, witches…is there really such a thing as a good witch? We think so! If you look deep into their eyes, you can surely tell. According to some, there are more bad witches than good. Welcome to the Witches Table, where good overtakes the bad. See for yourself – Happy Halloween!