Past Exhibits & Events

The Gunn Historical Museum presents an ever-changing view of local history. Here is just a partial listing of recent and past exhibitions and events:

• Holiday Exhibit: Doll's Paradise
  November 23, 2007 - January 13, 2008
  The treasured doll collections of Miss Mary Browne, Mary Logan Bronson, Dorothy Averill and past curator, Ester Peck, etc., were showcased in this holiday season exhibition, A Doll's Paradise. With the creative guidance of Chris Zaima, this exhibit was a delightful vision of dolls from yesteryear in a beautiful, enchanting setting.

• Country Chairs: From Children to Garden and Everyday Use
  May 1, 2007 - November 3, 2007
  Florence de Dampierre, the noted furniture historian, author and interior designer, guest-curated this exhibit. It showcased an eclectic collection of country chairs from the Gunn Museum and many private collections throughout the area. The chairs featured ranged from the most elemental form -- the handcrafted hedge chair -- to the elaborate workmanship of the marriage chair. The variety of country chairs on display in this exhibition was a feast for the eyes, a grouping of all shapes and sizes spanning three centuries.

• From the Archives of the Gunn Historical Museum....
  Washington Senior Center series of coffee hour readings from the archives of the Gunn Historical Museum. On September 24th, October 1st, 15th, 22nd, 29th, Museum curator Stephen Bartkus read research papers from the museum's archives, shared photos, stories and encouraged reminiscing about Washington's history.

• History Bites Lecture: The Museum hosted a lecture and slide show by Alison Gilchrist, "Their Hands in Every Thing: The Cogswells of New Preston," as part of the History Bites lecture series, on Thursday April 12th at 12 noon in the library's Wykeham Room. Audience members were invited to bring their lunch, and refreshments were served.

  Alison's lecture coincided with the Gunn Museum's exhibit showcasing representative examples of the newly discovered "Cogswell Family Papers," a treasure-trove of documents from the Cogswell Family of New Preston.

• Three Decades of Care for Our Town: The Washington Environmental Council - Fall 2006 through Spring 2007

  This local volunteer organization has fostered the care and stewardship of our town’s beautiful and diverse landscape for thirty years. Celebrating this important anniversary this exhibition will examine the history of this organization and its contributions to improving the quality of our environment since the mid-1970s.

• Steam Toys: A Collector’s Passion - Holiday 2006

  Inspired by a local collector’s love for anything steam, this year’s holiday exhibition at the Gunn Memorial Museum in Washington, Connecticut, is Steam Toys: A Collector’s Passion. Opening November 24, 2006 and running through January 2, 2007, this exhibition will interest admirers, collectors, and hobbyists of all ages.

  The widespread use of steam engines in locomotives, steam ships, and factories contributed to the start of the Industrial Revolution. In Victorian times the steam engine was almost the only source of mechanical power. Model steam engines recapture the fascination of steam power from that bygone era. Everyone can learn from the steam models, which demonstrate the basic principles of converting heat and water into mechanical energy.

  George Baxter, a machinist for 42 years, has been collecting and building steam models since 1986, owning a vast array of steam engines and accessories from various brands. He has generously loaned the museum many of his steam engines to make this exhibit happen. Joining Mr. Baxter in his generosity is another local collector, James Greenfield, and the Connecticut Antique Machinery Association, Inc., each contributing exemplary models to this exhibition.

  Wilesco and Mamod steam engines and accessories are available for purchase as well as tin toys and Victorian holiday ephemera from Toodle Time Toys.

• Tractor Mac and His Farm Friends - July to October 2006

  The Children’s Gallery of the Gunn Historical Museum presented the world of Tractor Mac and his friends. The exhibition showcased the beautifully painted, original watercolor drawings from the popular "Tractor Mac" series, written and illustrated by Roxbury artist, Billy Steers. Steers, who grew up with horses and sheep, introduced the series in April, 1999.

• Open House Farm Tour, Saturday, October 29 from 1:30 to 4:30 p.m.

  Meet at the museum and board a local school bus for an historical tour of the Town of Washington, visiting several working farms. At each stop the owner will discuss their farm's operation. Co-sponsored by the Steep Rock Association with the Gunn Historical Museum, this educational program showcases the important agricultural heritage of the Town of Washington.

• Great Caesar’s Ghost, What a Catastrophe! The Flood of 1955 in Washington, Connecticut

  On August 19, 1955, Connecticut was the hardest hit victim of the worst flood in the history of the eastern United States. President Eisenhower declared the state a major disaster area. Through numerous photographs, newspaper articles and first-hand accounts, relive this disaster and the amazing response of the people of Washington, Connecticut as they rescued one another, recovered and rebuilt their town.

• H. Siddons Mowbray: American Muralist and Washington Luminary - Summer/Fall 2006

  Enjoy the diversity of this American artist (1858-1928) in more than 30 of his works of art borrowed from family members throughout the New England region. This exhibition is split between the museum and the Gunn Memorial Library where visitors will have an opportunity to enjoy seeing one of Mowbray’s ceiling murals as well as numerous easel paintings, religious scenes and other works of art.

  Our Town of Washington, nestled in the hills of northwest Connecticut, has long been a quiet place with a beautiful rural landscape and home to numerous famous people. Many of them -- artists, writers, architects, naturalists, educators, philanthropists -- have contributed to the history and culture of the town, often in subtle but important ways. This Mowbray exhibit is the first in a series that will showcase a notable Washington figure each year. These Luminaries include: Ehrick Kensett Rossiter, Elias Boudinot, Mrs. E. H. Van Ingen, Benjamin Foulois, Herbert Faulkner and William Hamilton Gibson.

• Connecticut's First Heritage Lake: Waramaug - Summer/Fall 2006

  The Lake Waramaug Task Force was formed thirty years ago in response to the need to do something about the serious water quality issues of Connecticut’s second largest natural lake. Through a curious combination of dedicated volunteer efforts, experimental science, public education and grassroots and governmental support, success was achieved and this exhibition tells the story of this success.

  Tuesday, November 1 at 7:00 p.m.: "Beautiful Lake Waramaug" will be the topic for a discussion in the library's Wykeham Room. In its 30th anniversary year the Lake Waramaug Task Force celebrates its successes with an exhibit at the museum, and Tom McGowan, executive director of the Task Force, discusses the history and work of this important local environmental group over the past three decades. Following Tom's talk, refreshments will be served, with an opportunity for all to see and enjoy the exhibit at the museum.

• Toy and Miniature Villages - another popular Holiday show of charming miniature toys and models, borrowed from area collectors and hobbyists.

• 100 Years of Baseball in Washington - a Gunnery student's research project inspired this look at our town's national pass-time, from 1860-1960.

• Under the Big Top - an exciting round-up of circus-related artifacts, toys, models and artwork, gathered from area lenders, made for another fun and very well-attended 2003 holiday show.

• Picture Perfect: The Art of John Folinsbee - part of a multi-site project sponsored by the Mattatuck Museum of Waterbury, Connecticut, this showcased the work of an accomplished American painter who first came to Washington, Connecticut as a student at The Gunnery.

• A Childs Delight: Toy Trains and the Magic of Make Believe - an enchanting display of toy trains and miniature villages, showcasing collections loaned by local enthusiasts.

• Dreams Beneath Design: An Exhibition of Quilts

• It Started With Mr. Gunn: The Education Experience in Washington - the life, times and accomplishments of one of our most significant citizens, curated by Sarah Griswold and Paula Krimsky, archivist for the Gunnery School.

• Pride of Place - Landscapes by local artists.

• From the Bounty of the Land: Washington's Agricultural Heritage from Native American Roots to the Rise of Dairy Farming

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