Visit Jillson House Museum
Welcome to the Jillson House Museum, home of the Windham Historical Society. Please stop by any Saturday for a tour or attend one of our upcoming events that are listed below or on our events page.
Welcome!
Supported by the Windham Historical Society
Jillson House is a Hospitality Center!
This spring the Jillson House Museum became an official "Hospitality Center" on the East Coast Greenway, open to the public every Saturday from 10:00 AM-4:00 PM. Bikers and hikers can stop in to warm up, get cooled off, evade the rain, use the restrooms, get a snack or hydrating beverage, repair their bike, use our basic first aid kit and, most importantly, park their bikes and take a trip into Willimantic's historic downtown for lunch, dinner or a homemade brew. Free tours of the museum are also available for any visitor, as well as maps and biking information and events. Please stop in and see us!
Thanks to our partners and sponsors: East Coast Greenway Alliance, Trust For Public Land, Air Line Trail, Windham Region Chamber of Commerce, Willimantic Rotary and American Savings Foundation.
The Town of Windham
The town of Windham, located in northeastern Connecticut, is in the southwestern corner of Windham County along the Natchaug River. Incorporated in 1692, Windham originally included the current towns of Mansfield and Scotland, as well as parts of Chaplin and Hampton. It was not until 1857, when the last of these areas incorporated, that Windham took on its current shape. The town of Windham includes the city of Willimantic, which consolidated with Windham upon the dissolution of the city government in 1983. Named after Wyndam, England, the town’s early industry included numerous mills that brought Windham renown as a leader in thread manufacturing. --CTHistory.org
What's New?
We keep growing and upgrading.......
Fire & Theft Protection
With the help of the Pageau Foundation and Fire Alarm Specialty Design, we have installed a new fire, smoke, and heat alarm system throughout every room of our house, as well as a security system both inside and outside to protect our valuable collection. We cannot thank our supporters for this invaluable and necessary addition!
Museum Makeover
With a generous grant from the CT League of History Organizations we have been able to carefully repackage every artifact in our collection into acid free storage boxes so they won't degrade over time. This was a monumental task and with the help of many volunteers we have reorganized our collection rooms and preserved our history.
Research Library
With a grant from the Town of Windham we have been able to create a Research Library and hire genealogists who can assist you in finding information about your family or business as well as general historical information about the Town of Windham. Email us if you would like more information.
Brochures
With several grants from the Eastern Region Tourism District we have partnered with Windham Arts and the Windham Region Chamber of Commerce to produce several brochures promoting our region: Museums in Windham, Historic Homes Throughout Eastern CT and the Jillson House Hospitality Center.
Our Current & Upcoming Exhibits
Experience Windham CT from 1700's to present
"Made In Windham"
Patents & Inventions That
Changed the World
June 2024-June 2025
Did you know that the mustache mug was invented in Windham, CT? There are many amazing inventions from a cracker maker to the corset that were created right here. Windham has many famous inventors that created machines that changed the world, like the paper making machine or the cotton making machine. Supported by the CT Humanities.
The exhibit is free and is open
every Saturday from 10 AM-4 PM.
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Victorian Fashion
Ongoing
Take a tour of the museum and see up close beautiful Victorian clothing including wedding dresses and riding outfits, adult and children. And you can also see some of the accessories that ladies and gentlemen wore.
We have exclusive items from the Jillson family, one of the founding families in Windham.
History of Windham
Ongoing
Join us for this fascinating trip through time and discover the many inventions, clothing, instruments, and gadgets created in our own Windham, CT. Meet the people born here who were instrumental in the progress and growth of our town: farmers, business owners, mill workers, immigrants, women leaders and slaves. Enjoy the nostalgia of early photos of town, schools, churches and the mills. The best part is the stories, the folklore that helped define who we are! Free admission.
TAVERN NIGHTS
Are you a foodie? Like to eat? Like to sample new things? But most of all...... you LOVE history!!!
We have just the right night for you. Join us monthly at our Tavern Nights where our guest of honor for the evening is a famous person. You will learn about their contributions to their community, their family life, their oddities and quirks, but you will also learn about what their favorite food and beverage was. Not only learn...but you will get to sample their favorites. Stop by after work with friends or make it a midweek date night. The more people the more fun! Featured guests so far have been: Teddy Roosevelt, Marilyn Monroe, Katherine Hepburn, Elvis Presley, Paul Revere Julia Child, President Ronald Reagan and President & Mrs. Abraham Lincoln (photo).
President Abraham Lincoln and his wife , Mary Todd Lincoln shared stories about their family and life in the White House. Mrs. Lincoln shared her terrible experience being committed to a mental institution because doctors did not know what "anemia" was at the time.
Sun, Oct 13The Titanic (Jillson House Museum)Oct 13, 2024, 4:00 PM – 7:00 PMThe Titanic (Jillson House Museum), 627 Main St, Willimantic, CT 06226, USA- Multiple DatesSat, Oct 19The Titanic (Jillson House Museum)Oct 19, 2024, 10:00 AM – 2:00 PMThe Titanic (Jillson House Museum), 627 Main St, Willimantic, CT 06226, USAOct 19, 2024, 10:00 AM – 2:00 PMThe Titanic (Jillson House Museum), 627 Main St, Willimantic, CT 06226, USAJoin us for a tour of the famous Titanic. See and touch actual items that were onboard. Hear stories from Ernie Eldridge, Captain, and Titanic expert. Dress as a passenger to really have fun!
- Multiple DatesSun, Oct 20The Titanic (Jillson House Museum)Oct 20, 2024, 10:00 AM – 2:00 PMThe Titanic (Jillson House Museum), 627 Main St, Willimantic, CT 06226, USAOct 20, 2024, 10:00 AM – 2:00 PMThe Titanic (Jillson House Museum), 627 Main St, Willimantic, CT 06226, USAJoin us for a tour of the famous Titanic. See and touch actual items that were onboard. Hear stories from Ernie Eldridge, Captain, and Titanic expert. Dress as a passenger to really have fun!