The Naugatuck History Museum will officially reopen to the public on Saturday, March 21 from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. with the first phase of our new America 250 exhibit.

After a winter season of research, planning, and installation, volunteers have been carefully curating an exhibit that connects Naugatuck’s story to the broader American experience. This reopening marks the beginning of that journey.

Visitors on March 21 will experience two completed display/exhibit rooms.

The Founding and American Identity display explores how national symbols, shared traditions, and everyday objects helped shape a sense of belonging in the early United States. Through topics such as the evolution of the American flag, the Pledge of Allegiance, “The Star-Spangled Banner,” the bald eagle, early American currency, and the Declaration of Independence, the display considers how ideas formed during the Revolutionary era continued to influence civic life. Together, these materials connect the founding period to the experiences of ordinary Americans across generations.

The Revolution & 19th Century room explores war, industry, and everyday life in the 1800s. Highlights include Revolutionary War connections (the story of Chauncey Judd), Civil War narratives, and reflections on domestic life during a period of rapid change. The exhibit emphasizes both prominent individuals and ordinary residents, illustrating how local families experienced national events.

This reopening represents Phase One of our America 250 exhibit.

Phase Two will debut Memorial Day weekend on Saturday, May 23, with the opening of the Service and Sacrifice: Our Town Through War in the 20th Century room. That space will examine World War I, World War II, and community memory. Visitors will encounter stories connected to local service members, monuments, parades, commemorations, and moments such as the Bicentennial, demonstrating how national milestones were experienced and remembered in Naugatuck.

Admission is free and open to the public.

We invite the community to join us on March 21 to celebrate the museum’s reopening and to return throughout the spring as the full America 250 exhibit unfolds. Together, we continue preserving and sharing the stories that connect our town to the American story.

The Naugatuck History Museum is proud to launch its America 250 program series, "Stories That Shaped a Nation."Each program invites our community to explore moments, ideas, and voices that helped define the American story. These events are free to attend and open to all.

Our first program features What a Glorious Crash They Made: Musick of Connecticut’s Revolution, presented by tenor, music instructor, and historian Richard Franklin Donohue. This forty-minute presentation brings to life a remarkable collection of “New Songs” and hymns published in Connecticut during the American Revolution. From the Stamp Act to the British surrender at Yorktown, these stirring works encouraged resistance, celebrated victory, and offered gratitude for survival. As John Adams reflected, they “cultivated the sensations of Freedom.”

Richard will guide guests through this fiery and influential repertoire, performing selections on voice and harpsichord and sharing the stories behind the music. Many of these songs appeared in publications throughout New England, making the program a rich look at the shared musical heritage of the region.

Richard Franklin Donohue is a longtime music educator and historian, serving as the Town Historian of Cromwell and the President and Program Director of the Cromwell Historical Society. He writes the monthly Rosetown Review column for Cromwell Life and presents historical programs across New England.

This program marks the opening of our America 250 program series, and we welcome the community to join us as we reflect on the ideas and experiences that have shaped our nation’s journey.

Traveling Trivia at Jesse Camille’s Restaurant
March 23, 2026, at 6 PM
615 Church Street, Naugatuck, Connecticut

Traveling Trivia returns this spring at Jesse Camille’s Restaurant for another enjoyable evening with the Naugatuck History Museum. Trivia questions will highlight Naugatuck history, America 250 themed Americana, and a surprise category unique to the evening, all designed to keep the night engaging and fun.

These gatherings are organized by board member and longtime volunteer Maureen Sitar, whose dedication has helped make Traveling Trivia a lasting and much anticipated tradition in our community.

The event is free and open to the public. Teams are welcome, and individuals are always encouraged to join in. Enjoy good food, friendly competition, and a relaxed evening of trivia alongside fellow history enthusiasts.

As part of the Naugatuck History Museum’s America 250 program series, we continue to explore the people and experiences that shaped our early nation. These programs are free to attend and open to all, offering our community a chance to reflect on the complexity and humanity within our shared past.

Our next program, Revolutionary Portraits: Minutemen, Patriots and Tories, is presented by John Dwyer, Town Historian of Southbury, Connecticut. This talk examines the lives of individuals in the Naugatuck Valley who were charged as Loyalists during the American Revolution. John highlights how these accusations affected families, livelihoods, and reputations, revealing the personal struggles that unfolded behind the broader conflict for independence.

John brings a deep passion for local history, shaped by his family’s arrival in Southbury in 1984 to live in his wife Lynn’s ancestral home. Their children became the eighth generation of descendants to live there, inspiring his study of regional history and preservation. A retired Food Scientist and former Technical Sales Manager, John has devoted much of his time to genealogy, military reenacting, restoration work, and the study of nineteenth century American music.

He has contributed to many preservation efforts, including projects involving Southbury’s historic architecture and early industrial sites. His restoration of the Candee Wheeler House and barns earned a Merit Award from the Connecticut Trust for Historic Preservation and was featured on HGTV. He serves on the Historic Buildings Commission and actively supports the Southbury Historical Society.

This program offers a thoughtful look at loyalty, conflict, and community during the Revolutionary era, and we welcome you to join us as we continue our America 250 journey.

Traveling Trivia at La Casita Mexican Restaurant and Cantina
April 20, 2026, at 6 PM
9 Church Street, Naugatuck, Connecticut

Join us for Traveling Trivia at La Casita Mexican Restaurant and Cantina for an evening that brings together fun, community, and local history. Trivia questions will focus on Naugatuck history, America 250 themed Americana, and a surprise category unique to this stop, with plenty of laughter and a few prizes along the way.

This long standing event is made possible each year through the dedication of board member and longtime volunteer Maureen Sitar. Her continued commitment keeps this tradition strong and brings people together from across town.

The event is free and open to the public. You are welcome to arrive with a team or join one when you get there. It is a wonderful way to support a local restaurant while enjoying a relaxed and welcoming evening out.

The Naugatuck History Museum continues its America 250 series, Stories That Shaped a Nation. These free community programs highlight the many people, experiences, and ideas that helped form our early nation, inviting us to learn from voices that shaped New England life during the Revolutionary era.

The Web They Wove: Women and Their Wardrobes during New England’s Revolution

This program looks beyond famous battle reports and political debates to reveal the essential work of women whose choices in textiles, clothing, and fabric production influenced the course of the American Revolution. Through their steady labor and resourceful decisions, women across southern New England supported households, communities, and the broader fight for independence. Their lives, whether dressed in homespun wool or delicate silk, offer meaningful lessons about creativity, resilience, and care during a time when their world was changing rapidly.

Costumed historians from The Dirty Blue Shirts share stories of these women along with reproduction garments, fabric samples, and a visual presentation of surviving historical pieces. Their program explores the myths of homespun, tales of midnight rides in red cloaks and calashes, and the daily work that helped sustain families while conflict unfolded around them.

The Dirty Blue Shirts is an experiential history collective of living historians, scholars, and artists based in eastern Connecticut. Its members first worked together in maritime museum settings both aboard tall ships and as historic roleplayers on land. Today they bring high quality research based programming to museums and historical sites throughout New England. Their work spans environmental history, blacksmithing, fiber arts, woodworking, historical dress, traditional music, theatre, and more. Whether in everyday clothing or full period attire, they are dedicated to sharing the richness of American history with accuracy, care, and enthusiasm.

We welcome the community to join us for this thoughtful and immersive look at the women whose hands and choices helped shape the Revolutionary moment.

Traveling Trivia at The Corner Tavern
May 21, 2026, at 6 PM
178 North Main Street, Naugatuck, Connecticut

Join the Naugatuck History Museum for our second-to-last stop of the season at The Corner Tavern. These trivia nights are relaxed, social, and welcoming, with questions that explore Naugatuck history, America 250-themed Americana, and a surprise category unique to this location.

Traveling Trivia has remained a community favorite for many years, made possible through the dedication of board member and longtime volunteer Maureen Sitar. We are sincerely grateful for her continued commitment to bringing these evenings to life and strengthening connections throughout our community.

The event is free and open to the public. Form a team or come on your own and join in. It is a wonderful way to enjoy an evening out, support a local business, and take part in one of the museum’s most enjoyable traditions.

The Naugatuck History Museum continues its America 250 program series, Stories That Shaped a Nation. These free programs welcome our community to learn about the people, landscapes, and events that shaped Connecticut during the fight for independence.

The Summer of 1779: The Coastal Raids on Connecticut

This presentation, led by Dr. Francis Michael Coan, explores the destructive British raids on Connecticut’s shoreline during the summer of 1779. These attacks brought loss and upheaval to communities from New Haven to Fairfield and shaped the movements of the Continental Army as it worked to defend the region.

Dr. Coan will highlight the role played by a familiar local landmark, the Porter Inn in present-day Union City. During these tense days of the Revolution, General Washington’s army relied on the inn for food and shelter while traveling the New Haven to Waterbury turnpike along the Naugatuck River. Later moved to higher ground, the building still stands today at 24 Woodbine Street, offering a powerful physical link to this moment in history.

Dr. Francis Michael Coan is a professor of history at Tunxis College and brings a thoughtful, accessible approach to understanding Connecticut’s Revolutionary era.

We welcome everyone to join us for this meaningful look at the summer that tested Connecticut’s resilience and placed the Naugatuck Valley within the larger story of America’s fight for freedom.

Traveling Trivia at Don Raphael Brazilian/Portuguese Cuisine
June 15, 2026, at 6 PM
18 Neumann St, Naugatuck, CT 06770

Wrap up this season of Traveling Trivia with the Naugatuck History Museum at Don Raphael Brazilian Portuguese Cuisine. These evenings are relaxed, social, and welcoming, featuring questions that highlight Naugatuck history alongside Americana in celebration of America 250, along with a surprise category unique to each location.

Traveling Trivia has been a beloved community tradition for years, made possible through the dedication of board member and longtime volunteer Maureen Sitar. We are truly grateful for her continued commitment to bringing these gatherings to life and keeping this tradition strong.

The event is free and open to the public. Gather a team or come on your own and join in. It is a wonderful opportunity to enjoy a night out, support a local business, and take part in one of the museum’s favorite community traditions.

The Naugatuck History Museum continues its free program series, Stories That Shaped a Nation, with a thoughtful look at one of the most enduring ideas in American history.

Liberty and the American Experience

This presentation, led by Professor Hamish Lutris, explores how the meaning of liberty has developed, expanded, and been contested since 1776. Liberty has shaped the nation’s identity, yet it has also been the source of deep debate and conflict. Professor Lutris guides audiences through this evolving concept while drawing on the role of judicial interpretation, including the difference between enumerated and implied rights. Through this lens he highlights several of the nation’s most influential controversies over freedom, law, and civic responsibility.

Professor Lutris is an Associate Professor of History at Manchester Community College and serves on the Winchester Historic Commission. He is a respected regional speaker with long experience in historical interpretation. His work spans a wide range of topics including Native American history, the Civil War, both World Wars, the American West, and significant developments in scientific, social, and cultural history. His programs are known for their clarity, depth, and ability to make complex ideas accessible.

We welcome our community to join us for this meaningful look at the idea of liberty and the ways it has shaped the American experience from the Revolution to today.

The Naugatuck History Museum continues its free America 250 program series, Stories That Shaped a Nation, with a hands-on look at medicine during the Revolutionary era.

Rough Medicine: The Medicine and Surgery of the American Revolution

This interactive presentation, led by Dr. Ray Sullivan, explores the realities of eighteenth century medical care during the American Revolution. Guests will have the rare chance to see authentic medical instruments, medicaments, and plant based remedies from the period. Dr. Sullivan explains how these tools were used, the challenges faced by military and civilian healers, and the ways in which these practices shaped the early development of American medicine.

Through close up examples and clear explanations, the program offers insight into the daily work of surgeons and physicians during wartime as well as the resilience of the people they treated. It provides a vivid look at a side of Revolutionary life that is often overlooked but deeply connected to survival and community care.

We welcome our community to join us for this engaging and informative experience as we continue our journey through America’s Revolutionary history.