The Connecticut Historical Society often receives requests relating to the preservation of historic homes. Whereas CHS collects and preserves artifacts and documents relating to architecture, other organizations in the state help preserve architectural structures. CHS does, however, have information that is helpful to those interested in restoring their home and learning more about their home’s history. Here’s how we can help:

• The CHS Library holds over 1000 entries of the Works Project Administration’s Inventory of Historic Homes, including records and photographs of materials, builders, and owners of houses built in towns throughout Connecticut before the 1930s.
  
  
• The Library also holds various genealogical records (such as family papers, land records, and maps) that help in the research of a home’s history.
  
  
• The CHS Graphics Collection holds over 230,000 photographs. The extensive archive of photos of Hartford homes is arranged by street address. We also have architectural drawings and prints. Appointments are necessary to visit the Graphics Collection and can be made by contacting Nancy Finlay at (860) 236-5621, x 236.
  
  
• Connecticut History Online is a treasure trove of nearly 15,000 images of Connecticut people, places and events. Thousands of homes and historic structures can be viewed at this website through searches of topics such as “urban renewal” or “building sites”.
  

Also check out these great resources (located in the CHS Library and elsewhere):

• Structures & Styles: Guided Tours of Hartford Architecture by Gregory Andrews and David Ransom, published by The Connecticut Historical Society in 1988.
  
  
• The three-volume guide Hartford Architecture, published by the Hartford Architectural Conservancy in 1980.
  
  
• Sally Light’s 1989 book House Histories: A Guide to Tracing the Genealogy of Your Home (Golden Hill Press)

For more information on the preservation of historic homes, contact:

Connecticut Commission on Culture and Tourism
59 South Prospect Street, Hartford, CT, 06106, (860) 566-3005

The Connecticut Trust for Historic Preservation
940 Whitney Avenue, Hamden, CT, 06517, (203) 562-6312