Tablescapes 2026 was a huge success, with plans for 2027 already underway! Save the date for March 12 & 13, 2027!

Our thanks to all who came out to the event. We had a record number of visitors this year! And kudos to all of the exhibitors! Their tables were so amazing this year! We truly appreciate the time and effort they put into creating them. Weeks and weeks of planning.

What an amazing transformation!

We give huge thanks to Richter & Cegan Inc.  Richter & Cegan is one of the most respected Landscape Architecture and Urban Design firms in the region, and we were so lucky to have them donate many hours to the design of the entire grounds.

Then beginning on Monday, June 9th, a crew from D.W. Burr Landscaping of Simsbury began landscaping the grounds outside the New Avon Museum.  Not only did D.W. Burr Landscaping provide a week of labor to us, FREE OF CHARGE, they also provided all of the plantings at cost.

These two very generous companies saved us thousands, and looks beyond amazing! There are no words that can full express our gratitude!

To begin a year-long celebration of special events, we have installed an exhibit of a select few artifacts from its collection of over 700 in the display cases of the History Corner of the Avon Free Public Library, 281 Country Club Road, Avon, CT.

On Dec. 31, 1973, eight Society members penned their names to the first Articles of Incorporation for filing with the Connecticut Secretary of the State: Norman C. Southergill, Diana Royce, Mary C. and George L. Leger, Marian M. Hunter, Mary Soule Jones, William M. Wiepert, and Irena D. Osborn. The Articles were accepted on Jan. 4, 1974.  It was their collective wish that this organization grow and thrive as the country’s Bicentennial (200^th) was just two years away in 1976.  Now, just two years from the Semiquincentennial (250^th) of the country in 2026, they have an updated logo with the words “since 1974” to remind everyone of the commitment to the history of the Town of Avon through the Avon Historical Society.

The Society is working diligently with the Town of Avon to renovate a 201-year-old one-room schoolhouse on Route 44 (East Main Street) to open as a new museum of Avon’s history later in the year. The public is invited to be part of the new museum by purchasing an engraved brick for a new paved sitting area near the building.  To purchase a brick that will benefit the new interior exhibits, visit https://avonhistoricalsociety.org/buy-a-brick/.  The Society recently launched Avon Talks, a podcast of Avon’s history, people, and places, with a new episode every month on the most popular streaming platforms.

As events for the Avon Historical Society’s 50^th anniversary are planned, the public will be invited to participate. Volunteers are always welcome to help with any aspect of the Society’s activities.  To volunteer or join the Avon Historical Society, leave a message at: 860-678-7621 or info@avonhistoricalsociety.org

The Avon Historical Society welcomes the public to a family-friendly OPEN HOUSE of the 1865 Pine Grove Schoolhouse, 3 Harris Street (West Avon Road/Route 167) on Sunday, June 5.  After that, it will be open to the public every Sunday through September from 2:00 – 4:00 pm.

Last year’s opening of the schoolhouse, listed on the National Register of Historic Places after the pandemic, was very successful. The public is invited to an open house to welcome the new tourist season!  There will be new things to see inside the schoolroom, a puzzle (for all ages) to solve about artifacts on display, and greeters to explain the building’s history.

The Pine Grove Schoolhouse, built in 1865 as Schoolhouse No. 7 and still standing in its original location, is owned by the Town of Avon.  It was in use as a school until 1949, when it became a nursery school, a branch of the town library, and a meeting place for the Boy Scouts Explorer Troop 122. In accordance with a long-term lease from the Town of Avon, the Avon Historical Society restored the building in 1976 and interprets it as a schoolhouse of 1900 with bolted desks, hand slates, textbooks, and other educational memorabilia of the time.

“Last summer, we had the highest number of visitors in over a decade. Reopening after the pandemic brought out strong interest in our local history. We encourage all residents to bring their family and friends to see this lovely 19th-century schoolhouse this summer,” said President Terri Wilson. Three years ago, the Society installed a Little Free Library next to the schoolhouse that is available 24/7.  Books for all ages are contained inside, and everyone is welcome to take a book/share a book as they would like. In addition, a National Register of Historic Places roadside marker, donated by the William G. Pomeroy Foundation, was installed on the front of the property.  The Pomeroy Foundation supports celebrating and preserving community history nationwide through its roadside marker grant program.

Over the past two decades, work has been ongoing on-site. Thanks to foundations, local companies, and private donors, the Society continues the upkeep of this wonderful historical treasure.  For example, lead paint was remediated from the exterior in 2009 thanks to a grant from the former Farmington Savings Bank Foundation.  The 100-year-old outhouse was restored and placed near its original location in 2012 thanks to a grant from J&A Construction.  Locally quarried stone steps were added to the side door. With donations of a grant from CT Trust for Historic Preservation (now Preservation Connecticut), a local McDonald’s franchisee, and very generous individual donors, 112 panes of 19th-century glass were restored in the windows in 2014. All this was timed to have the building ready for its 150^th birthday celebration in 2015, where former students and their families enjoyed an afternoon of reminiscences and storytelling.

For more information on this site and to watch a video about the schoolhouse and West Avon filmed in 2020, visit:  https://avonhistoricalsociety.org/pine-grove-schoolhouse/

Those interested in local history and genealogy are encouraged to visit the Marian Hunter History Room at the Avon Free Public Library, 281 Country Club Road, by making an appointment at 860-673-9712.

Two Historic Avon 19th Century Quilts on Display

Free One Time Event: February 18, 2023, 1 pm - 3 pm

by Nora O. Howard, Historian of the Town of Avon  and of the Avon Congregational Church - oakeshoward@gmail.com

After more than 170 years in private hands, two remarkable quilts made in Avon will be on display - but only for two hours - at the Avon Congregational Church at 6 West Main Street. One of the quilts now belongs to the Avon Historical Society.

In the early 1850s, eighty-one people came together to join their names and sentiments on a Sig-nature Quilt for their dear friend Sophia Woodford of Avon. Sophia, about 30 years old, lived at 90 Old Farms Road with her father Orris, and her three grown brothers, Selah, Egbert, and Lucius. Her large quilt, 88 inches by 84 inches, features a Granny Square or Album design. It was recently donated to the Avon Historical Society by Woodford descendants Christina Kraus and Eleanor Morgan.

Dr. Kraus, Yale University’s Thomas A. Thacher, Professor of Latin and a Woodford family descendant, conducted extensive research on the quilt. Additional research was conducted by Nora Howard, historian of the Avon Congregational Church and the Town of Avon. She determined that almost 70% of the quilt’s signers who lived in Connecticut were associated with the Avon Congregational Church. Other signers lived in Ohio, Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, and New York.

Another Woodford family quilt, made at the same time with the same design, was given to So-phia's sister Adaline Woodford, at about age 37. Adaline's quilt was smaller, with only about half the number of signatures (47). Most of the people signed both quilts.

The community's gift to Adaline coincided with her move from Avon to New Haven. But what was Sophia’s life-changing event that found her friends rallying around to provide comfort and love? Perhaps it was an imminent and wrenching move away or a marriage. Sophia, alas, remained in Avon and unmarried until 1862. The mystery remains of what prompted such a magnificent gift to her in the early 1850s.

On Saturday, February 18, from 1 pm - 3 p.m., the two quilts of Sophia Woodford and her sister Adaline Woodford will be on display at the Avon Congregational Church's Fellowship Hall at 6 West Main Street. All are welcome to drop by Fellowship Hall to see these remarkable quilts. This is a free event. The quilt cannot be on display at this time in another Avon location as the proper display space for such a delicate textile is not yet available.

Ms. Howard, and Terri Wilson, president of the Avon Historical Society, will be on hand to answer questions. Also attending the Saturday event will be Dr. Kraus and Eleanor Morgan, and the owner of Adaline's quilt.

Caption: Signature Quilt of Sophia Woodford of Avon, early 1850s.

(l-r) Terri Wilson (Avon Historical Society president), Heddy Panik (volunteer at the Marian Hunter History Room of the Avon Free Public Library), and Tina Panik (Reference & Adult Ser-vices Manager of the Avon Free Public Library) examine the Sophia Woodford quilt, donated in December 2022 to the Avon Historical Society.

Two closeups of the quilt, one with the signature and sentiments of Mary Hubbell, daughter of Avon Congregational Church pastor, Rev. Stephen Hubbell: “The beautiful and useful may/walk hand in hand.”

Photographs by Nora O. Howard

After a two-year hiatus, we welcome everyone to visit the 1865 Pine Grove Schoolhouse on Sunday, June 5 from 2:00 – 4:00 pm featuring some new things to learn and enjoy.

Due to the pandemic, the site was closed in 2020 and 2021.  To celebrate the new tourist season, the public is invited to a family-friendly open house!  There will be new things to see inside the schoolroom, a puzzle (for all ages) to solve about artifacts on display as well as greeters to explain the building’s history. In addition, weather permitting, members of Avon’s Brownie Troop 66703 will be on-site offering a small take-home craft/activity for children visitors and some of their Girl Scout cookies and punch for everyone to enjoy.

It will be open to the public every Sunday through September from 2:00 pm – 4:00 pm.

Click here for more information on the 1865 Pine Grove Schoolhouse.

Volunteers Wanted: We could use more greeters to welcome visitors on Sundays from 2:00 – 4:00 pm during the summer months. We will provide training and information to acquaint you with the property. It’s easy and fun to meet and greet visitors who come from far and wide every summer.

Interested? Email your interest to: info@avonhistoricalsociety.org or leave a message at 860-678-7621.

Tablescapes 2022 was a HUGE success!  Special thanks to the event co-chairs Mary Harrop and Sharon Genovese and Avon Historical Society President Terri Wilson.

We also want to thank all of our volunteers, The North House for hosting the event, the event attendees, and most importantly the very creative exhibitors!

The first-place winner of the Avon Historical Society’s TABLESCAPES event held in March was REFRESH, a local design team operated by The Kerri-Lee Mayland Company. They created a unique table entitled “Whimsical Woodland” inspired by the magic and whimsy of Shakespeare’s A Midsummer’s Night Dream.  This sensory explosion complete with music, lights, and all things living, including moist moss, fresh flowers, and a chandelier that climbed to the ceiling was a wonderment to all who attended.

The second-place winner was a totally different table entitled, “Dr. Suess on the Loose,” created by Rose Bennett and Renee Holder, featuring recreations of many scenes from dozens of the beloved author’s most popular books.

The third-place winner was “Under the Sea Beautiful!” featuring live fish, a cake with sea creatures, and more designed and built by Marie Speich & Ann Ryan of Adventures in Decorating LLC. 

The Avon Historical Society thanks the sponsors, exhibitors, and attendees who returned after a two-year hiatus due to the pandemic to make this event a huge success! Proceeds will be used for the adaptive reuse of the 1823 Schoolhouse No. 3 located on Route 44 in the center of Avon.

TABLESCAPES will return in March 2023 with bigger and more beautiful table settings in time for the beginning of Spring. For more information or to sign up to be an exhibitor or sponsor next year, please email info@avonhistoricalsociety.org

This year at Tablescapes, held on March 18 & 19, we will feature a “Tableware Tag Sale” The tag sale will feature gently used, antique or vintage dishes, platters, bowls, glassware, silverware, casserole dishes, baking dishes, and baking supplies all priced to sell, with proceeds benefitting the Avon Historical Society.

Do you have anything to donate?

Want to know more about the type of items we are looking to sell? Call Mary Harrop at 860-670-3225 for more details.

TABLESCAPES is an event showcasing creative and original table settings by local professional designers, florists, businesses, clubs and individuals. It will be held at The North House here in Avon.