Vintage Toys and Valentines from Avon”

The Avon Historical Society announces the new exhibit in the History Corner of the Avon Free Public Library entitled “Vintage Toys and Valentines from Avon.” The free exhibit of early to mid-20th-century items on the library’s first floor, will be available for viewing through February.

Avon Town Historian Nora Howard and Avon Historical Society president Terri Wilson curated the exhibit. They both lent items to the exhibit along with Roger Howard, Robyn Miller, Wendy Iscove, Jeannie Parker, and Barbara Ruppert.

There is sure to be something to please every visitor: a German doll c. 1900 found in an Avon attic; a Topsy Turvey doll (double-ended with opposing figures) from the late 1920s; a doll with roller skates from the late 1930s; a bear and a doll from the 1940s; trains from the 1950s; Legos and Steiff animals from the 1960s; school valentines from 1965-1970; German block puzzles from the 1980s, and so much more.

The exhibit is open during regular library hours.

PHOTOS COURTESY OF NORA HOWARD

The Marion M. Hunter History Room

The Marian Hunter History Room is dedicated to Marian M. Hunter, long-time librarian and historian of Avon. The collection was formed when the Library and the Avon Historical Society combined their archives and dedicated the room on February 4, 1989. Researchers and interested residents may find information on the general history of the town, original old homes and buildings in Avon, and genealogies of original families.

Access Avon’s history online

Over 30,000 items from the our history room collection are available online as part of the Connecticut Digital Archive.

Some Finding Aids for this collection are available here.

Connect with the Avon Historical Society here.

Avon records prior to 1830 are at the Farmington Town Clerk’s Office and the Farmington Room at the Farmington Library.

Visiting the History Room

Volunteers and reference staff staff the History Room. Please contact the library before visiting to ensure materials will be accessible when you arrive! You will be asked to complete a researcher request form when you arrive.

For hours and information:

Treasures within the History Room

Book Collections

  • Local History of Avon and neighboring towns
  • Book Collection of Northington Library
  • Genealogy of selected Avon families
  • Genealogical reference materials

Serial Collections

Manuscript Collections

Maps

  • The map cabinet inventory is available here.

Photographs & Visual Materials

Microfilm Resources

Newspaper Collections

  • The Avon Library has copies of Avon News, 1981-1995. View digitized issues here
  • The Farmington Library maintains a collection of the Farmington Valley Herald from 1894-1986.
  • The Connecticut State Library maintains a collection of Avon News (1987-1996), Avon Life (2001-2013), Valley News (1996-2004)
Learn more