Reopening of The Prudence Crandall Museum

Reopening to the public after an extensive 2-year restoration, The first floor of the museum will be open; please be aware that the rooms are currently empty and do not contain exhibits. The site tells the story of the Canterbury Female Boarding School features prominently in the history of Civil Rights for African Americans. In 1833 Prudence Crandall, Connecticut's Official State Heroine, opened a higher education academy for "young ladies of color" at her Canterbury Female Boarding School, in Canterbury, Connecticut, after local response prevented her from integrating the school she established in 1831 by allowing Sarah Harris, a local African American young woman, to attend. Crandall and her students faced increased harassment and legal prosecution, yet classes continued until mob violence forced the school to close. Crandall's trial impacted two U.S. Supreme Court cases, including Brown v. Board of Education, Topeka, demonstrating that the school's legacy for equal education continues to be relevant today. 

Open days are Fridays through Mondays, June 12 through October 31 Location: Canterbury, CT

Re|Framing the Collection

What can we learn when new questions are asked of the museum’s collection of European and American art, long admired as expressions of Western ideals and artistic traditions? The artworks on view, created over four centuries, coincide with the expansion of EuroAmerican cultures and empires in the New World. Beginning in the late fifteenth century, competing European nations, and after 1783, the United States of America, fought over and harvested the continent’s vast resources. In the process, these governments undermined Indigenous communities through disease and by force, and enslaved Africans and others for their own economic benefit. By mining the Museum’s collection, this exhibition explores how art reflects the deeply ingrained belief systems of Euro-Americans that justified colonization, empire-building, and structural inequality. This exhibit incorporates new perspectives to tell more inclusive stories of our shared histories.

Through 2023 Location: Bowdoin Art Museum, Brunswick, ME

The New Hampshire Farm Museum

This site consists of two adjoining farmsteads situated on 50 acres of Plummer’s Ridge in Milton, New Hampshire. The Jones Farm and Plummer Homestead each date back to the late 18th century and are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. In addition to our collection of historic buildings and barns, agricultural exhibits, displays, and collections, we are also a working farm, keeping a selection of heritage breed farm animals and a variety of gardens on the property. 

Location: Milton, New Hampshire

The Sailing Museum

Newly launched and opened this past May! Located on the waterfront of downtown Newport in the historic Armory Building built in 1894, the museum will offer an innovative multi-media experience. The Sailing Museum will feature the National Sailing Hall of Fame and America’s Cup Hall of Fame. A collaborative design effort led by award-winning Healy Kohler Design, The Sailing Museum will offer sailing enthusiasts the chance to revel in their sport and new sailors to be enticed to take to the water for the first time. The personalized museum journey begins with the selection of a boat. For sailors, they can select from one of seven; while those experiencing sailing for the first time will be given the option of a short quiz that will help them select a boat. For all, this boat will become their avatar throughout their museum experience, guiding them through the interactive elements, and offering the chance to build skills and earn virtual rewards. The first floor of the museum is divided into six thematic areas: Wind & Water; The Making of a Sailor: Mental; The Making of a Sailor: Physical; Teamwork; Competition; and Legends of Sailing – National Sailing Hall of Fame & America’s Cup Hall of Fame. The second floor is home to additional exhibits and a private lounge honoring Hall of Famers. 

Location: Newport, Rhode Island

Forgotten Souls of Tory Row: Remembering the Enslaved People of Brattle Street

In 2022, History Cambridge was awarded an Arts for Social Justice grant from Cambridge Arts. We selected the artist collaborative Black Coral, Inc. for the project and installation began in May. “Forgotten Souls of Tory Row: Remembering the Enslaved People of Brattle Street” honors the enslaved adults and children who lived and worked on this land as well as those whose labor on Caribbean plantations helped finance the grand homes of white Tory Row elites.

On view June 1, 2022-April 7, 2023 Location: History Cambridge, MA