The Hebron Historical Society

Where are all the Critters Coming From?

In time for Earth Day, Thursday night, April 21 at 7:00 p.m.

Hebron’s Old Town Hall, Main Street, Hebron

Master Wildlife Conservationist, Allen Petell, will present and discuss Connecticut’s wildlife and changing environment. Learn about the impact humans have had on Connecticut’s wildlife habitats throughout history, and subsequent attempts by the CT DEEP to restore the habitats and extirpated species in the state. Some of the native species discussed will be the white-tailed deer, black bear, moose, fisher cat, coyote, fox, bobcat and wild turkey.

Come hear a presentation about Native American history including local tribes, listen to a drum circle, see a display of artifacts, and taste a sampling of traditional recipes on Thursday, October 22, at the Old Town Hall, Hebron Center.  Meet and Greet begins at 7:00 pm and the program begins at 7:30 pm.

Special guests the Black Wolf Medicine Drum Circle will sing and play traditional & original Native American songs from the Eastern Woodlands in both the Algonquin & English languages.  If you have never experienced the power and energy of a drum circle, now is the time!   

Admission is FREE and the program is OPEN to the PUBLIC.  Sponsored by the Hebron Historical Society, members and guests are asked to make a monetary donation to help support HHS. 

The Society is a nonprofit organization devoted to preserving Hebron’s history and providing community programs.  HHS raises funds for the upkeep of the Old Town Hall and Burrows Hill School House.  Consider supporting the Society by becoming a member and/or making a donation.

Glassmaking was the first industry in the Colonies, and Connecticut had 15 early glassworks. Several of those glassworks were located nearby, in Manchester, Coventry and West Willington. Noel Tomas, leader of the Museum of Connecticut Glass, is the right person to introduce historic Connecticut glass. Mr. Tomas will be the speaker at the Hebron Historical Society, Old Town Hall, on Thursday, September 24th.

Noel Tomas is the founding President of the Museum of Connecticut Glass located in Coventry at the junction of Rt. 44 and North River Road. The glass museum is open for special events and by request. Tomas has been associated with numerous antique glass clubs throughout the northeast, has written articles for the Antiques & Arts Weekly, and has been a collector of antique glass bottles since 1968.

This September 24th program, planned by the Hebron Historical Society, is one you surely won’t want to miss. Join us at 7:00 for a “Meet & Greet”, followed by the Historical Society’s brief Annual Election of Officers, with the Early Glassmaking program set to begin at 7:30.

Our programs are always free and open to the public. Contributions, however, are greatly appreciated as they help defray the cost of the programs, and assist with the Society’s maintenance of Old Town Hall and the Burrows Hill School.

Old Hebron Cemetery Restoration

Led by Mary-Ellen Gonci, a group of loyal volunteers has been working to restore the Old Hebron Cemetery on Wall Street. Including a few photos, here is her report of the project:

“Hebron Historical Society’s efforts to restore gravestones in the old cemetery on Wall Street recently received help from town employees Jay Costa and Gordie Rathbun.
The two successfully reset the large stone for Obadiah Hosford. It had been flat on its face for many years. Hosford was a prominent citizen involved in Hebron’s early development. He was Captain of Hebron’s first military company and responsible for establishing this cemetery as Hebron’s burying ground. He died in 1741.
Hosford’s stone is the largest single stone in the cemetery. It was carved by Benjamin Collins, from Columbia, Connecticut. Collins’ stones were ornately carved and his faces more realistic. The inscription on Hosford’s stone is extensive and relates Hosford’s service to the town and his good standing as a citizen. The inscription was not deeply carved. It may be fortunate that the stone lay in the dirt for many years because the inscription is still legible.
Research into others buried here indicates many were farmers who had lived in many towns prior to settling in Hebron. Noadiah Dingwell was a stone cutter by trade. Royal T. Kollock and his wife were mutes. Royal, who was partially blind, taught at the American Asylum for the Deaf and Dumb in Hartford. Dwight Bliss was a farmer and carpenter, well respected by the community. George Gillet practiced land surveying 54 years. Solomon Huntington was “a kind husband, a tender father” as noted on his stone.
The death of a child is never easy, but we can identify with Noble Lord and his wife Betsy when 4 of their children died before their 4th birthdays. We can also identify with Roger Fuller who outlived 3 wives.
The cemetery is the final resting place for our war heroes. Corporal George Gillette, Alonzo Taylor, Captain Berry Phelps, and Lucius H. Jagger fought during the Civil War. Jagger was a member of the 1st Connecticut Light Battery and died in Beaufort, S.C.
Joshua Phelps Jr. was a member of the 12th Connecticut Infantry during the Revolutionary War.
Work in the cemetery is not complete and will continue throughout the summer. If you would like to volunteer your time or make a donation for repair of broken stones, please contact Mary-Ellen Gonci @ 860-228-3388 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..”

The Hebron Historical Society has begun planning for its participation in Hebron Maple Fest 2015. This marks the 26^th year of The Historical Society’s Quilt Show, a display that is always eagerly anticipated and well-attended.

If you are a quilter or quilt collector, and have an old or new quilt you’d like to have displayed, we’d enjoy hearing from you. With questions about the Quilt Show or an interest in sharing your quilts, please contact Mary-Ellen Gonci at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or 860-228-3388.

Mark your calendar. This year’s Maple Fest dates are March 14^th and 15^th and the festival will run between the hours of 10:00 am - 4:00 pm. The festivities at Old Town Hall during Maple Fest are The Historical Society's main fundraising efforts each year.