The Chatham Historical Society Museum
East Hampton, CT's museum preserving over two centuries of local industrial, cultural, and indigenous history.
Location and Hours of Operation
2:00–4:00 PM
Donations Welcome
Permanent Exhibits and Local Historic Artifacts
Gong Bell
The Gong Bell Manufacturing Company manufactured the first foot bell used on automobiles.
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N.N. Brass Hill
Learn about N.N. Brass Hill's historic inventions, including the bicycle handlebar bell that became standard across the 20th century.
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Bevin Bells
East Hampton's industrial legacy. Highlights include the Bevin Bell Factory, the world's only remaining original bell manufacturer.
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Wangunk Tribe
Explore artifacts of the Wangunk people, the original inhabitants of East Hampton, Middletown, and Portland, CT, including indigenous arrowheads found near Lake Pocotopaug.
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Camp Wopowog
Discover the history of Camp Wopowog, a longstanding East Hampton summer camp on the shores of Lake Pocotopaug.
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Explore the Historic Chestnut Hill School House
A reconstructed 19th-century one-room schoolhouse, originally on Chestnut Hill, relocated to Bevin Blvd in 1980 thanks to Joseph & Ann Terp Walters and Chauncey Bevin.
Plan Your Visit Today!Frequently Asked Questions
When is the museum open?
The Chatham Historical Society Museum is open to the public on the first Sunday of every month from 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM. Please note that our facilities are open seasonally from April through November. Private appointments and group tours can be scheduled by contacting us at 860-539-0988.
Where is the museum located?
The Chatham Historical Society museum complex is located at 6 Bevin Blvd, in the Town of East Hampton, Connecticut.
What local history is featured at the museum?
The museum showcases over two centuries of history, including Wangunk Tribe artifacts, antique bell manufacturing exhibits (Bevin Bells, Gong Bell, Watrous Manufacturing), and 18th-century Connecticut shipbuilding history.
