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The Shop

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Stained Glass Ornament 
Handmade Homage to our Historic Stained Glass Windows

3.5in square ornament to hang in windows or elsewhere. 

$35.00 

Available at the Barnes Museum

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Connecticut 169 Club
CT Guidebook to Adventure
Marty Podskoch
​East Hampton, CT Author and Historian Marty Podskoch scripted a brilliant solution for fragmented families and town-tied locals. With his latest Book, The Connecticut 169 Club: Your Passport and Guide to Exploring Connecticut.  Podskoch navigates readers from out behind the blue screen, off the interstate and onto Connecticut backroads to meet and merge with fascinating neighbors and uncover cool curiosities tucked into the 169 towns and cities in the Nutmeg State.

$25.00
Copies available at the Barnes Museum

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​Images of America
Lake Compounce
Lynda J. Russell

​Founded in October 1846 by two local families, Lake Compounce began its transformation from a rustic summer resort into a bustling amusement park. Gad Norton and Isaac Pierce teamed together to build a park that utilized the lake's natural appeal for swimming, boating, and picnicking. Through vintage photographs, Lake Compounce highlights the park's long history of big bands, the Crocodile Club, the Wildcat roller coaster, and the William Gillette train. For generations, the park has been able to maintain its status as a local treasure while expanding and growing into what is today recognized as "America's pioneer playground."

Copies available at the Barnes Museum

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​Images of Modern America
Lake Compounce
Lynda J. Russell

On October 6, 1846, Gad Norton invited the public to witness a scientific experiment to be conducted at his family-owned lake. The experiment failed, but the crowds of people inspired him to open a recreation area. In 1851, the firm of Pierce and Norton began land improvements. Not only were new attractions added, but corporate outings and outdoor concerts with big bands were also held, providing for a full day of fun and memories. As the oldest continuously operating amusement park in the United States, Lake Compounce now offers 44 rides, including Thunder Rapids, Wildcat and Boulder Dash Roller Coasters, Crocodile Cove, Splash Harbor Water Park, and Bear Creek Campground. During the off-season, the infamous Crocodile Club is held every September, a haunted graveyard runs throughout October, and in December, the park showcases its holiday lights.

Copies
available at the Barnes Museum

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Images of America
Southington The War Years
Liz Campbell Kopec

​With the outbreak of World War I, industry in Southington—previously an agrarian community—grew in both size and profit. The citizens of Southington banded together to help in the war effort by joining the American Red Cross and Home Guard and selling Liberty Bonds. Industrial growth continued until the stock market crash of 1929. Though few factories closed, most were forced to reduce their workforce and hours of production. By the end of the 1930s, the nation was preparing for a war most people hoped would never happen. Factories rehired former employees and created new job opportunities, and four months after Pearl Harbor, Southington's 17 factories were working around the clock to produce wartime goods. Two World Wars and the Great Depression left their mark on citizens, creating changes that remain today.


Copies available at the Barnes Museum

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Postcards of America
Southington 
Liz Campbell Kopec

Includes 15 ready to mail postcards of historic images of Southington, Connecticut.

Available at the Barnes Museum

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Barnes Museum Note Cards
Bud Gaudio, Artist

$4.50/ea.
6 for $25.00

Available at the Barnes Museum

Visit Us

Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays from 1pm - 5pm
Or by Appointment.
​Last tour begins one hour prior to close. 
​​General Admission - $8
Seniors - $6
Students - $4
Members & Children under 5 - FREE

The Barnes Museum 
85 North Main Street 
Southington, CT 06489 
​(860) 628-5426 

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  • Home
  • Plan Your Visit
    • Current Exhibitions
    • Visit Us
    • Directions
  • Homestead
    • Research >
      • Pressed Glass Goblets
      • Civil War Diaries
      • Civil War Letters
      • Books
    • The Family
  • Events
    • Calendar
    • Teas
    • Movie Night on the Lawn
    • Halloween Birthday Bash
  • Grounds
    • Grounds
    • Rentals
  • History Blog
    • Virtual Exhibit - Board Games
    • Eastern Asian Ceramics
  • Support
    • Volunteer Opportunities
    • Outreach
    • Library Passes
    • Shop
  • About
    • Who We Are
    • Our Team
    • Community Partners >
      • Southington Public Library
  • Friends of the Barnes