52 Tolland Green
A stone jail built in 1856 and operated until 1968. The attached 1893 jailer's home displays furniture and collections depicting Tolland life and industry in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, and the shed features farm and outdoor work.
 During the 19th Century, Tolland was the hub of law and order for all of Tolland County. All those who broke the law in any of the towns of the County were tried in the Courthouse, and, if found guilty of misdemeanors requiring jail time of up to one year, would serve their time here, probably working in the barns and gardens on the property and on the 100 acre farm property where the Middle School is today. They might also be assigned to work in the kitchen.  Those accused of felony crimes would be held here until trial, perhaps moving on to the state prisons, occasion-ally returning here for a year or less. They were not allowed out of the cellblock to work while awaiting trial.
 The earliest portion of the jail itself, the stone (center) section
dating from 1856, was the fourth jail built here. The brick section was added in 1893.
The jail was operated by the county until 1960, and by the state from 1960 to 1968. The 32-cell facility is of interest to young and old. Even some former inmates have visited the jail, and have told stories of life at the old "Hollyhock Hotel", as it was affectionately known.
Before a disastrous fire in 1893, there was an actual hotel attached to the jail. It was known as the County House. People having business with the courts, and other travelers, needed a place to stay, meals, and a livery stable to provide transportation or tend to the needs of their horses. After the courts moved to Rockville, the hotel was no longer needed, and when it burned to the ground it was replaced by a residence for the jailer and his family. THE MUSEUM CONTAINS A VAST ARRAY OF FASCINATING ITEMS DEPICTING TOLLAND LIFE IN THE LATE 19th AND EARLY 20th CENTURIES, MOST OF THEM DONATED BY TOWNSPEOPLE AND ACTUALLY USED IN TOWN. In addition to our 2010 seasonal Wedding Attire display, the following is a list of our weekly Summer Sunday activities for the remainder of the season: July 25 Weaving Demonstrations August 1 Old Fashioned Ice Cream Making (continuous until 3:30) August 8 Old Fashioned Children’s Games (continuous) August 15 Buttons and their Manufacturing History August 22 Old Fashioned Wash Day (continuous until 3:30) August 29 Darrell Stark – a story of survival September 5th Closed for Labor Day September 12 Oxen Rides – Ray Ludwig with Frank & Jessie September 19 Harry Potter Day (continuous activities until 3:30) September 25 Smithsonian Museum Day – a national collaborative **Saturday** special hours – 10 am to 2 pm September 26 Jail Reunion – open to all – special invitation to all previously associated with the Jail October 3 Closing Day Event – Wedding Reception Rug braiding & chair caning demonstrations in the “Shed” display area weekly. WE ARE PROUD TO ANNOUNCE THAT WE ARE A BLUE STAR MUSEUM, OFFERING MILITARY PERSONNEL AND THEIR FAMILIES FREE ADMISSION ON SUMMER SUNDAYS AND ANY "SPECIAL" DAYS WE ARE OPEN FROM MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND HOURS BEFORE AND AFTER THE PARADE THRU OCTOBER 3RD. (WE ARE CLOSED JULY 4TH AND LABOR DAY WEEKENDS!)
OPEN YEAR ROUND ON MOST WEDNESDAYS
FROM 9:00 A.M. UNTIL NOON,
OR BY APPOINTMENT.
CALL KATHY BACH, DIRECTOR
860 872-7716 OR 860 870-9599 |
