December 2021

Dear Members and Friends,

This is the time of year when we reach out to you for support as we begin our 2021–2022 Annual Appeal.

This year is notable for many reasons. First, this is a special year because the Bristol Historical Society celebrated its 50th Anniversary this April! As we look back on the first half century, we want to celebrate how far the organization has come and express our gratitude for the people and institutions that have supported us in the past fifty years. Your support over the years has helped to maintain this remarkable building that we call home, Bristol’s first public high school. It has also enabled the Society to collect a broad array of artifacts related to Bristol’s history, present a range of programs and exhibits for all interests, and provide scholarships and other support to the larger Bristol community. We would not be here without you and are thankful for this amazing community.

In addition to these exhibits, programs, and community activities, we are excited to look forward to new projects: We will soon begin work on an exhibit highlighting Bristol’s schools in what once served as the principal’s office in our 1890 building. We are excited to highlight Bristol’s schools and educators in the exhibit and thrilled that this magnificent Queen Anne–style school building will finally have a display that corresponds to its own history. Also, as a nod to our interest in preserving school history, the Society undertook the fundraising to renovate the statue of Minerva that graced the high school on Memorial Boulevard. The return of the building’s original statue of the Goddess of Wisdom will serve as a bridge between the many graduates of that high school and the future students of the renovated Intradistrict Arts Magnet school.

As we reflect on our own history, we cannot overlook the reality that this year itself is notable. We hope the pandemic is drawing to a close, but we acknowledge that it will leave this community, like so many others, irrevocably changed. We sometimes conceive of history as something that has happened in the past, but so much of this year has forcefully reminded us that history is being made every day. As the Bristol Historical Society looks to the next half century, we renew our commitment to preserving our history for future generations of Bristol residents with your support.

We respectfully request that you join the many concerned citizens who have already made a tax deductible donation to our Annual Appeal. Help us continue to promote an interest in local history and encourage an appreciation for its importance by making a donation – today!

Happy Holidays from the Society and best wishes for a happy and healthy New Year!

Maya Bringe, BHS President

Donate by clicking the link above, or mail donations to:
The Bristol Historical Society, P.O. Box 1393, Bristol, CT. 06010
Please write Annual Appeal Donation in memo line.

December 2021

Dear Members and Friends,

This is the time of year when we reach out to you for support as we begin our 2021–2022 Annual Appeal.

This year is notable for many reasons. First, this is a special year because the Bristol Historical Society celebrated its 50th Anniversary this April! As we look back on the first half century, we want to celebrate how far the organization has come and express our gratitude for the people and institutions that have supported us in the past fifty years. Your support over the years has helped to maintain this remarkable building that we call home, Bristol’s first public high school. It has also enabled the Society to collect a broad array of artifacts related to Bristol’s history, present a range of programs and exhibits for all interests, and provide scholarships and other support to the larger Bristol community. We would not be here without you and are thankful for this amazing community.

In addition to these exhibits, programs, and community activities, we are excited to look forward to new projects: We will soon begin work on an exhibit highlighting Bristol’s schools in what once served as the principal’s office in our 1890 building. We are excited to highlight Bristol’s schools and educators in the exhibit and thrilled that this magnificent Queen Anne–style school building will finally have a display that corresponds to its own history. Also, as a nod to our interest in preserving school history, the Society undertook the fundraising to renovate the statue of Minerva that graced the high school on Memorial Boulevard. The return of the building’s original statue of the Goddess of Wisdom will serve as a bridge between the many graduates of that high school and the future students of the renovated Intradistrict Arts Magnet school.

As we reflect on our own history, we cannot overlook the reality that this year itself is notable. We hope the pandemic is drawing to a close, but we acknowledge that it will leave this community, like so many others, irrevocably changed. We sometimes conceive of history as something that has happened in the past, but so much of this year has forcefully reminded us that history is being made every day. As the Bristol Historical Society looks to the next half century, we renew our commitment to preserving our history for future generations of Bristol residents with your support.

We respectfully request that you join the many concerned citizens who have already made a tax deductible donation to our Annual Appeal. Help us continue to promote an interest in local history and encourage an appreciation for its importance by making a donation – today!

Happy Holidays from the Society and best wishes for a happy and healthy New Year!

Maya Bringe, BHS President

Donate by clicking the link above, or mail donations to:
The Bristol Historical Society, P.O. Box 1393, Bristol, CT. 06010
Please write Annual Appeal Donation in memo line.