Bristol Historical Society

Bridging Barnes: Unveiling Southington and Bristol's Shared Legacy
2024-04-18 19:00 - 21:00 UTC | CT
Join us for an engaging exploration of the Barnes family legacy as we delve into the intertwined histories of Southington and Bristol. Discover how the Barnes family was pivotal in shaping both communities and learn about the connections that bound them together across generations. Through captivating stories and insights, we’ll uncover the rich tapestry of shared experiences and contributions that define the Barnes family’s enduring impact on Southington and Bristol.

The presenter will be Christina Volpe, curator of the The Barnes Museum in Southington. Christina is an esteemed historian and curator specializing in the captivating era of the Gilded Age. With a focus on Connecticut’s role in the second industrial revolution and the material culture of the time, Volpe’s expertise stems from her degrees in archaeology and classics from the American University of Rome and an MA in public history from Central Connecticut State University. Her previous roles include serving as an assistant curator and archivist for prominent family archives, and she has contributed her knowledge to esteemed institutions such as the Wadsworth Atheneum and the Barnes Museum, where she assumed the role of curator in 2021. She is currently pursuing a PhD in Humanities from Salve Regina University (’26).

This Third Thursday program is free for member, with a suggested $5 donation for all others. Refreshments will be served. Addition parking is in rear. Doors open at 6:30.

BHS Gaming Club Meeting
2024-04-20 11:00 - 14:00 | CT
Do you love role-playing games or are curious about them? Do you have kids that want to play Dungeons & Dragons or other role-playing games? Spend a Saturday immersed in a different world at the Historical Society, on January 27, 2024, from 10am to 1pm. All ages welcome! Free to play or just come learn more about gaming at the BHS gaming club. Additional parking is in back and the museum will be open so you can learn a little about Bristol while you’re here!
For more information or to register, president@bristolhistoricalsociety.org

Third Thursday Program: Brightwood, Helen Welch Atkins, and the Rockwells
2024-05-16 19:00 - 21:00 | CT
Join presenter Sheila Orefice for a discussion of Helen Welch Atkins, who built the Brightwood mansion, the Rockwells who purchased the home, and Mrs. Rockwell’s association with the Rockwell Park Playground.

Programs begin at 7pm. Doors open at 6:30. Refreshments will be served and additional parking is in the rear of the building. Programs are free for members and $5 for non-members.

May Gaming Club Meeting
2024-05-25 11:00 - 14:00 | CT
Do you love role-playing games or are curious about them? Do you have kids that want to play Dungeons & Dragons or other role-playing games? Spend a Saturday immersed in a different world at the Historical Society, on May 25, 2024, from 11am to 2pm. All ages welcome! Free to play or just come learn more about gaming at the BHS gaming club. Additional parking is in back and the museum will be open so you can learn a little about Bristol while you’re here!
This month, play the RPG game Enclave with the creator, Robby Howell!
For more information or to register, president@bristolhistoricalsociety.org

BHS Annual Tag Sale
2024-05-31 09:00 - 13:00 | CT
Save the Date!
The Annual BHS tag sale is here! Antiques, curiosities, and other treasures: Toys, puzzles, games, books, housewares, framed prints and paintings, and decorative items–priced to sell! Dealers welcomes. Parking in the rear of the building.
There is also a bake sale both days!
We are also still accepting donations for the tag sale for anyone who wants to clean out their basement, garage, or attic this coming weekend!

BHS Annual Tag Sale
2024-06-01 09:00 - 12:00 | CT
Save the Date!
Friday, May 31, 9am to 1pm
Saturday, June 1, 9am to 12pm
The Annual BHS tag sale is here! Antiques, curiosities, and other treasures: Toys, puzzles, games, books, housewares, framed prints and paintings, and decorative items–priced to sell! Dealers welcomes. Parking in the rear of the building.
There is also a bake sale both days!
We are also still accepting donations for the tag sale for anyone who wants to clean out their basement, garage, or attic this coming weekend!

Federal Hill Walking Tour
2024-06-23 13:00 - 15:00 | Bristol Historical Society, 98 Summer Street, Bristol, CT, 06011-1393, United States
Join us for a walk around Federal Hill for a tour of some historic homes and other buildings, with a nod to a couple places that “used to be.” Discover a little more about some of the graceful homes, churches, and the green that give Federal Hill some of its character and their history. Tours leave from the Bristol Historical Society building at 1pm, 1:30pm, 2pm, and 2:30 beginning in the front parking lot. Come inside before and/or after for water, lemonade and a look at the exhibits.
Each tour participant will receive a booklet with information about the sights so they can recreate the tour on their own.
No registration is required. Parking is available in the rear lot. Suggested donation for the event is $5 for BHS member and children under 14 and $10 for nonmembers.
The walk will be about 35 to 40 minutes long. Provisions can be made for those who want to join us on the Federal Hill Green and skip the hill.

"Fourth" Thursday Program: The Photo Angel
2024-06-27 19:00 - 21:00 | CT
Join us June 27, at 7pm for a visit from the Photo Angel, Kate (Norton) Kelley, who reunites long-lost photos with their relatives. Kate’s work has been featured on The Today Show, Family Tree Magazine, The Boston Globe, WCVB’s Channel 5 Boston’s “Chronicle,” The Mayflower Society’s “Mayflower Quarterly,” The Daughters of the American Revolution’s “American Spirit” and several other news media outlets.
“It all began with a pile of labeled photos of non-relatives that were mixed in with my grandparents’ old family pictures. Were they friends? Classmates? War buddies? Neighbors? I was determined to find out. So I started poking around genealogy websites and immediately began connecting with relatives of the photographed. Now I’m hooked! I love to visit antique stores to thumb through their pictures in my quest to find those that are labeled so that I may return them to their family members. One woman affectionately dubbed me, “The Photo Angel.” The purpose of this project is to document success stories and inspire others to dig out their dusty attic boxes and visit antique stores for photos with identifying information and join in the fun!” – Kate Kelley
This program is free to members, with a suggested donation of $5 for nonmembers. Additional parking is available in the rear of the building and refreshments will be served.
Please note that this program will take place on the fourth, rather than the usual third, Thursday!
To learn more about this amazing historical project, see the website (https://thephotoangel.net/) or this segment from NBC’s The Today show:

BHS Gaming Club Meeting
2024-06-29 11:00 - 14:00 | Bristol Historical Society, 98 Summer Street, Bristol, CT, 06011-1393, United States
Do you love role-playing games or are curious about them? Do you have kids that want to play Dungeons & Dragons or other role-playing games? Spend a Saturday immersed in a different world at the Historical Society, on June 29, 2024, from 11am to 2pm. All ages welcome! Free to play or just come learn more about gaming at the BHS gaming club. Additional parking is in back and the museum will be open so you can learn a little about Bristol while you’re here!
For more information or to register, president@bristolhistoricalsociety.org

The 1944 Hartford Circus Fire
2024-07-18 19:00 - 21:00 | Bristol Historical Society, 98 Summer Street, Bristol, CT, 06011-1393, United States
This year marks the 80th anniversary of the July 6, 1944, Hartford Circus Fire. James Battaglio, a former Hartford Times reporter, will speak to us about his story, A Tragic Price, about the fire. Battaglio became interested in the history of the fire when he was working as a journalist in 1979, when he met a victim of the fire. He never learned her name, but her face and words never left him. Learn more about the tragedy and the connections that the event has to Bristol.
James Battaglio is a Connecticut native and an award-winning journalist with more than 50 years of writing for newspapers, magazines, and electronic news outlets.
Doors open at 6:30pm. This program is free to members, with a suggested donation of $5 for nonmembers. Additional parking is available in the rear of the building and refreshments will be served.

BHS Gaming Club Meeting
2024-07-20 10:00 - 14:00 | Bristol Historical Society, 98 Summer Street, Bristol, CT, 06011-1393, United States
Do you love role-playing games or are curious about them? Do you have kids that want to play Dungeons & Dragons or other role-playing games? Spend a Saturday immersed in a different world at the Historical Society, on July 20, 2024, from 11am to 2pm. All ages welcome! Free to play or just come learn more about gaming at the BHS gaming club. Additional parking is in back and the museum will be open so you can learn a little about Bristol while you’re here!
For more information or to register, president@bristolhistoricalsociety.org

3rd Annual Mum Festival Photo Contest
2024-08-09 08:00 - 2024-09-29 17:00 | Bristol Historical Society, 98 Summer Street, Bristol, CT, 06011-1393, United States
2024 Photo Contest

As part of the Mum Festival season of events, the Bristol Historical Society is excited to host a photo contest as part of this year’s Festival. Photos will be on display for your viewing pleasure in the Marquee Tent on the festival grounds. Photos judging will be done by a jury of local professional photographers. Awards will presented Sunday at 12 noon.
Download 2024 Photo Entry Form
Rules:
1) Entrant must have taken the photo(s)
2) Print sizes between 4×6 and 8×10, they must be matted but not framed.
3) Entrant self-selects category.
4) Entrant must write name and contact info on back of each photo.
5) Photos to be dropped off at the Bristol Historical Society Museum any Wednesday or Saturday between 10am and 2pm in the months of August and September, or by appointment( Call Steve at 860-944-6567)
6) Photos should be picked up Sunday 9/29 between 2pm and 5pm, or by appointment ( Call Steve at 860-944-6567)
7) Color photos and black and white photos will be judged together.
8) Please note; due to frequent strong winds at the festival grounds, photos will be mounted with 2-way tape. All effort will be made to remove the photo and matte carefully so they can be reused.
Divisions and Categories:
There are two divisions, Youth (0 to 17) and Adult (18 and up).
There are seven categories to chose from.
1) Portraits (formal and informal)
2) Architecture, landscapes and seascapes
3) Action (sports, kids at play, etc., anything with movement.)
4) Agriculture and animals
5) Photos from previous Mum Festivals
6) Candid
7) Miscellaneous
Awards and Prizes:
In each division, first and second place ribbons will be awarded in each category. Best in Show as determined by the jury of judges will receive a $25 gift card from a local business.
Contact info:
For any questions please call or text Steve Vastola at 860-944-6567 or email him at Activities@BristolHistoricalSociety.org
Download 2024 Photo Entry Form

Third Thursday Program: A Session with Sessions Trunk
2024-08-15 19:00 - 21:00 | CT
Over the years, the Society has received several albums with a collection of photos that represent one side of this prominent Bristol family. From family photos to the construction of the J. H. Sessions & Son factory on Riverside Avenue to the building of the Albert Sessions House (aka the Wedding Cake House) on Bellevue Avenue, presenter Bob Adamczyk will show photos that haven’t seen the light of day in decades and share some history about the Sessions family.
Doors open at 6:30pm. This program is free to BHS members and members of the Picturing Bristol Facebook group, with a suggested donation of $5 for others. Additional parking is available in the rear of the building and refreshments will be served.

Off the Beaten (Cemetery) Path, a Special Friday the 13th Program
2024-09-13 19:00 - 21:00 | Bristol Historical Society, 98 Summer Street, Bristol, CT, 06011-1393, United States
Last year, we featured a special “Friday the 13th” program to showcase some of the fun, slightly less serious items we had run across in our research, and we’ve decided to bring the concept back in September. In honor of the October West Cemetery tour, we will feature some stories from Bristol’s cemeteries that don’t make the cemetery tour, either because they are literally off the beaten path, more infamous than famous, or simply are buried elsewhere.
Learn a little bit more about some also-ran cemetery tour entries on Friday, September 13th, enjoy some refreshments, and learn where some of the other bodies are buried at 7pm. This program is free to BHS members, with a $5 suggested donation for non-members. Doors open at 6:30pm and there is additional parking in the rear of the building.
Volunteers will be taking registrations for the October West Cemetery Lantern Tours as well, for those interested in attending that event.

Third Thursday Program: Bristol/Forestville Recycled, Then and Now
2024-09-19 19:00 - 21:00 | CT
Join us Thursday, September 19 at 7pm!
Tom Dickau, Bristol City Historian and member of the Bristol Historical Society, will be presenting the fourth in a series of multimedia videos titled Bristol/Forestville “Recycled,” Then and Now.
This program will include churches established within our community during the late 1800’s and early twentieth century. The major emphasis will be the ways they have been recycled or repurposed over the years. The Swedish and German immigration to our country and the many churches those immigrants developed will be described.
A brief history and how they are presently utilized will also be discussed. These will include the Calvary Adventist Church, the Beth Israel Synagogue, the Christian Science Church, the Beulah A.M.E. Zion Church, Mount Zion Baptist Mission, St. Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church, St. John’s Episcopal Church, the Jehovah’s Witness Kingdom Hall, the Hillside Community Church, the Bristol Bible Chapel, and the Heritage Pentecostal Church. Other more recent congregations will also be mentioned.
Doors will open at 6:30. Additional parking is in the rear of the building and refreshments will be served. This program is free to members or a suggested donation of $5 for nonmembers.

September BHS Gaming Club Meeting
2024-09-21 11:00 - 14:00 | Bristol Historical Society, 98 Summer Street, Bristol, CT, 06011-1393, United States
Do you love role-playing games or are curious about them? Do you have kids that want to play Dungeons & Dragons or other role-playing games? Spend a Saturday immersed in a different world at the Historical Society, on September 21, 2024, from 11am to 2pm. All ages welcome! Free to play or just come learn more about gaming at the BHS gaming club. Additional parking is in back and the museum will be open so you can learn a little about Bristol while you’re here!
For more information or to register email jaymess@rocketmail.com or call Jay @ 860-841-1141

West Cemetery Lantern Tour - Friday Dress Rehearsal
2024-10-04 19:00 - 21:00 | Bristol Historical Society, 98 Summer Street, Bristol, CT, 06011-1393, United States
Saturday, October 5 and Sunday, October 6!
With a Dress Rehearsal open to the Public Friday, October 4 at BHS!
The West Cemetery Lantern Tour is returning on the first Saturday and Sunday in October. This event is sponsored by the Bristol Cemetery Commission and the Bristol Historical Society. For those who have not attended in previous years, during this evening guided walk through West Cemetery, you will be introduced to notable cemetery “residents” who will share some of their history with attendees. This is an engaging way to spend an evening and learn a little Bristol history.
Tours will step off at 6:00pm, 6:20pm, 6:40pm, 7:00pm, 7:20pm, 7:40pm, and 8:00pm. The first tour is intended for those who prefer a daylight option.
The rain date for both days is October 12. If we have to use the rain date, those have signed up will be notified by email and the change will be posted on our website and Facebook page. Suggestion donation for the tours is $10.
Reservations for the tours are required and can be made online via Sign Up Genius:
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/60B0C4AA9AA2DA7F58-51412733-west
or by emailing president@bristolhistoricalsociety.org
NEW THIS YEAR: If you prefer to meet your cemetery reenactors inside, we are inviting the public to a dress rehearsal on October 4 at 7pm at the Bristol Historical Society at 98 Summer Street. We will have refreshments, programs with information about the historical figures portrayed, and a period for questions from the audience. Suggested donation for both the regular tour and the dress rehearsal is $10.
Reservations for the Dress Rehearsal are recommended and can be made by calling 860-583-6309 or emailing president@bristolhistoricalsociety.org

West Cemetery Lantern Tour - Saturday Tours
2024-10-05 18:00 - 21:00 | West Cemetery, 49 Pound Street, Bristol, CT, 06010, United States
Saturday, October 5 and Sunday, October 6!
With a Dress Rehearsal open to the Public Friday, October 4 at BHS!
The West Cemetery Lantern Tour is returning on the first Saturday and Sunday in October. This event is sponsored by the Bristol Cemetery Commission and the Bristol Historical Society. For those who have not attended in previous years, during this evening guided walk through West Cemetery, you will be introduced to notable cemetery “residents” who will share some of their history with attendees. This is an engaging way to spend an evening and learn a little Bristol history.
Tours will step off at 6:00pm, 6:20pm, 6:40pm, 7:00pm, 7:20pm, 7:40pm, and 8:00pm. The first tour is intended for those who prefer a daylight option.
The rain date for both days is October 12. If we have to use the rain date, those have signed up will be notified by email and the change will be posted on our website and Facebook page. Suggestion donation for the tours is $10.
Reservations for the tours are required and can be made online via Sign Up Genius:
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/60B0C4AA9AA2DA7F58-51412733-west
or by emailing president@bristolhistoricalsociety.org
NEW THIS YEAR: If you prefer to meet your cemetery reenactors inside, we are inviting the public to a dress rehearsal on October 4 at 7pm at the Bristol Historical Society at 98 Summer Street. We will have refreshments, programs with information about the historical figures portrayed, and a period for questions from the audience. Suggested donation for both the regular tour and the dress rehearsal is $10.
Reservations for the Dress Rehearsal are recommended and can be made by calling 860-583-6309 or emailing president@bristolhistoricalsociety.org
For a list of the people in the tour:
Program_2024

West Cemetery Lantern Tours - Sunday Tours
2024-10-06 18:00 - 21:00 | West Cemetery, 49 Pound Street, Bristol, CT, 06010, United States

Federal Hill Walking Tour
2024-10-20 13:00 - 15:00 | Bristol Historical Society, 98 Summer Street, Bristol, CT, 06011-1393, United States
Sunday, October 23, starting at 1pm!
Our summer walking tour returns for the cooler fall weather!
Join us for a walk around Federal Hill for a tour of some historic homes and other buildings, with a nod to a couple places that “used to be.” Discover a little more about some of the graceful homes, churches, and the green that give Federal Hill some of its character and their history. Tours leave from the Bristol Historical Society building at 1pm, 1:30pm, 2pm, and 2:30 beginning in the front parking lot. Come inside before and/or after for water, lemonade and a look at the exhibits.
Each tour participant will receive a booklet with information about the sights so they can recreate the tour on their own.
No registration is required. Parking is available in the rear lot. Suggested donation for the event is $5 for BHS member and children under 14 and $10 for nonmembers.
The walk will be about 35 to 40 minutes long. Provisions can be made for those who want to join us on the Federal Hill Green and skip the hill.

October BHS Gaming Club Meeting
2024-10-26 11:00 - 14:00 | Bristol Historical Society, 98 Summer Street, Bristol, CT, 06011-1393, United States
Do you love role-playing games or are curious about them? Do you have kids that want to play Dungeons & Dragons or other role-playing games? Spend a Saturday immersed in a different world at the Historical Society, on October 26, 2024, from 11am to 2pm. All ages welcome! Free to play or just come learn more about gaming at the BHS gaming club. Additional parking is in back and the museum will be open so you can learn a little about Bristol while you’re here!
For more information or to register email jaymess@rocketmail.com or call Jay @ 860-841-1141

A Night of History from the Bristol Boys Club
2024-11-19 19:00 - 21:00 | Bristol Historical Society, 98 Summer Street, Bristol, CT, 06011-1393, United States
The Boys & Girls Club of Bristol and the Bristol Historical Society are proud to present an exciting evening dedicated to the rich history and impact of the Bristol Boys Club.
Join us for A Night of History on The Bristol Boys Club, where we’ll take a trip down memory lane, celebrating the legacy and traditions of this beloved institution.
We are thrilled to host an incredible panel of speakers, including:
– Tom Dickau – A long-time supporter and former member
– Jon Rulkowski – A current Club Professional, continuing the Club’s mission and vision
– Club Enthusiasts – Sharing stories from their time at the Club
The evening will include a special presentation highlighting the history of the Bristol Boys & Girls Club, followed by an open-floor sharing session. We invite all past members, supporters, and the Bristol community to reconnect, share stories, and celebrate the impact the Club has had on generations of local youth.
Whether you grew up at the Club, volunteered, or simply have a connection to its story, we welcome you to join us for this memorable evening. Come celebrate our shared history and the future of the Bristol Boys & Girls Club!
Doors open at 6:30 and there is additional parking in back of the building. This program is free to BHS members with a $5 suggested donation for all others.

November BHS Gaming Club Meeting
2024-11-23 11:00 - 14:00 | Bristol Historical Society, 98 Summer Street, Bristol, CT, 06011-1393, United States
Do you love role-playing games or are curious about them? Do you have kids that want to play Dungeons & Dragons or other role-playing games? Spend a Saturday immersed in a different world at the Historical Society, on November 23, 2024, from 11am to 2pm. All ages welcome! Free to play or just come learn more about gaming at the BHS gaming club. Additional parking is in back and the museum will be open so you can learn a little about Bristol while you’re here!
For more information or to register email jaymess@rocketmail.com or call Jay @ 860-841-1141

BHS Holiday Craft Fair!
2024-12-07 10:00 - 16:00 | Bristol Historical Society, 98 Summer Street, Bristol, CT, 06011-1393, United States
The 2024 BHS Holiday Craft Fair will be held on Saturday, December 7th from 10am to 4pm.

This annual event is great way to usher in the holidays! There will be 20+ crafters/vendors, a bake sale, a teacup raffle, and our popular Christmas Boutique!

The “White Elephant” Christmas Boutique will have a preview sale on Black Friday, the day following Thanksgiving Day from 10am to 2pm.

We always welcome any gently used Christmas-themed items that can be added to the Christmas Boutique inventory.
Donations may be dropped off at BHS during our open hours on Wed. and Sat. from 10am until 2pm. (At this time, we can’t accept artificial trees due to space constraints.) Your patronage and assistance are greatly appreciated, and we look forward to another successful event this year.
Mark your calendar and plan to attend our fair, a traditional favorite at BHS!

December BHS Gaming Club Meeting
2024-12-14 11:00 - 14:00 | Bristol Historical Society, 98 Summer Street, Bristol, CT, 06011-1393, United States
Do you love role-playing games or are curious about them? Do you have kids that want to play Dungeons & Dragons or other role-playing games? Spend a Saturday immersed in a different world at the Historical Society, on December 14, 2024, from 11am to 2pm. All ages welcome! Free to play or just come learn more about gaming at the BHS gaming club. Additional parking is in back and the museum will be open so you can learn a little about Bristol while you’re here!
For more information or to register email jaymess@rocketmail.com or call Jay @ 860-841-1141

BHS BINGO!
2025-02-02 12:00 - 15:00 | Bristol Polish Club, 541 North Main Street, Bristol, 06010, United States
Join us for our first ever BHS Bingo at the Polish Club on Feb. 2 at noon!
You’ll find a dazzling array of prizes valued at $200 or more like wine baskets, golf foursomes, designer purses, gift cards, and other unique items.
Come enjoy an afternoon with friends. Food and drink are available at the Polish Club and each $35 ticket will get you 10 bingo cards, one for each round. Additional cards will be available for purchase. The afternoon will also include a silent auction featuring unique items and experiences, a bake sale, and raffles. Tickets must be purchased in advance and are available here:
CLICK HERE TO BUY BINGO TICKETS!

Black History Month Panel Discussion
2025-02-19 17:30 - 19:30 | CT
Join us for a panel discussion celebrating Black History in Bristol, CT, exploring topics like how the Great Migration from southern states affected Bristol and its manufacturing base, and the Civil Rights movement.
Esteemed panelists will share insights on the past of the community. Engage in meaningful dialogue, ask questions, and deepen your understanding of the vital roles Black individual have played in shaping society. This is a valuable opportunity for reflection and inspiration. Don’t miss it!
FREE ADMISSION. Snow date is Feb. 27. Additional parking is located in the back of the building.

2025 Scholarship Fundraiser Dinner
2025-02-20 17:00 - 19:00 | Parkside Restaurant, 224 North Main Street, Bristol, CT, 06010, United States
Join us for an after-hours dinner at Parkside Café, February 20, from 5 to 7 pm, for our annual Scholarship Dinner. This fundraiser to supports the Historical Society’s annual scholarship of $1500 to a graduating college-bound Bristol senior.
Tickets are $30 for adults and $20 for children under 10.
There are take-out and gluten-free options, but reservations are required. Please return form found below or call and let us know you would like to come (860-583-6309) by February 10.
Snow date: Feb. 27.
Adults – $30.00
Children (under the age of 10) – $20
The dinner reservation form link is below.
If you cannot attend, please consider making a donation to the Scholarship Fund. Make checks payable to: Bristol Historical Society; P.O. Box 1393; Bristol, CT. 06011-1393 or you may donate online at bristolhistoricalsociety.org or by clicking the button below.
2025 Scholarship Dinner Reservation Form

February BHS Gaming Club Meeting
2025-02-22 11:00 - 14:00 | Bristol Historical Society, 98 Summer Street, Bristol, CT, 06011-1393, United States
Do you love role-playing games or are curious about them? Do you have kids that want to play Dungeons & Dragons or other role-playing games? Spend a Saturday immersed in a different world at the Historical Society, on February 22, 2025, from 11am to 2pm. All ages welcome! Free to play or just come learn more about gaming at the BHS gaming club. Additional parking is in back and the museum will be open so you can learn a little about Bristol while you’re here!
For more information or to register email jaymess@rocketmail.com or call Jay @ 860-841-1141

Salute to Bristol WWII Service Women
2025-03-20 19:00 - 21:00 | Bristol Historical Society, 98 Summer Street, Bristol, CT, 06011-1393, United States
Join us for a special program co-sponsored by the Memorial Military Museum and the Bristol Historical Society.
For decades now, women have had a vital role in all branches of the US Military, but it was not always that way. When World War II began, women were accepted begrudgingly, if at all. When the Navy created the WAVES, the Army the WAACs, the Coast Guard the SPARS, and the Women Marines were established, it was to be for “only the duration plus six months.” Gradually, their varied skills and dedication to “doing their part” made them invaluable. We will salute some of our hometown young women who volunteered to leave Bristol and serve in places often far from home and often in traditional male jobs and duties.
The second half of the program will be a video introducing Michelena Masterbone, who was Bristol’s last surviving WWII Female Veteran. Members of the Memorial Military Museum visited this witty, articulate, adventuresome woman on September 9, 2024, to celebrate her 101st birthday in Walla Walla, WA. Over two days of video interviews, “Call Me Mickey” tirelessly shared stories of growing up in Bristol, her pride in being a WAVE and her time Camp Detrick, Maryland. The war time research being conducted there was “cloaked in the deepest wartime secrecy . . . matched only by the Manhattan Project.”
Bristol has rightfully honored our male veterans. Bristol has forgotten our female veterans. In the fall of 2024, the Memorial Military Museum established the Bristol Women in the Military Committee to honor Bristol’s female veterans, not documented or honored before in Bristol’s history, and for the first time their stories, from the Civil War nurses to the present, will be told. This is the first in a series of 6 programs that will showcase many of the 113 Bristol female WWII veterans.
Doors will open at 6:30. Additional parking is in the rear of the building and refreshments will be served. This program is free to members of BHS or the MMM or a suggested donation of $5 for nonmembers.
