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

NEW!! "MAKING" Workshop Series

Download schedule of workshops

Thank you to all of our guests to our many programs at the Jillson House Museum. We have been listening to you and have put together a year long series of hands on workshops about making things that you normally buy at the store. For those folks who are interested in "homesteading" skills, 18th c. skills, or just like to make things this is for YOU!

Workshops are on the second Saturday of the month from 10 AM-Noon (with one exception). This is what makes these workshops special:

1. You have talented presenters who will demonstrate how to make things

2. You get a free history lesson about the topic!

3. You will enjoy a homemade treat and beverage at every event.

4. You make things at the workshop and take them home.

5. Your take home items are your inspiration for a new hobby.

6. Your packet contains instructions, recipes and resources.

There is very limited space so please register early. Cost is $30 per person and includes instruction, food and your own handmade gifts. We need to know who is coming to order the appropriate supplies so please register at least one week before the class. Supported in part by the Leo J. & Rose Pageau Trust.

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

Visit CTHistory.org

What's New?

We keep growing and upgrading.......

Anita Sebestyen Fashion Exhibit

In memory of our President, Anita Sebestyen, who left us way too early this past year, we have dedicated our front parlor to her with a new exhibit on fashion in the early 1900's. Please visit to enjoy the roarin' 20's and the flappers as well as WWI era uniforms. Hots, gloves and other beautiful accessories are on display. Admission is free.

New Storm Windows

This year we received a $10,000 matching grant from the 1772 Foundation to remove the old plexiglass from 1975 that was covering our windows with brand new glass storm windows. The old plexiglass was yellowed and scratched and did not allow us to look out our windows. It also made the beautiful building look run down. The transformation is amazing. Please take notice if you are driving by. Thanks to Pat Brady for his work.

My Town My Story

The Windham Historical Society and the Windham Region Chamber of Commerce partnered with CT Humanities, UCONN and CT Archives to create My Town My Story, a digital archive to record the personal and family histories of Windham residents. Upload your photos and write a brief description. Go HERE to add your history!

A New Skirt

We placed stone around our foundation to help push water away and preserve our building. Thanks goes to Dan McClintock of McClintock Roofing and Ernie Eldridge of E.S. Auctioneers for doing all the physical work in the rain!

Our Current & Upcoming Exhibits

Experience Windham CT from 1700's to present

"Portrait of a Town"

Art and Culture in Windham

Ongoing

This exhibit celebrates the arts and humanities throughout Windham's history including information about the Frog Bridge, artists Lou Frink, quilting, embroidery, music and other creative people.

The exhibit is free

Fashion in the Early 1900's

Ongoing

Learn all about fashion in the early 1900's, the accessories, the styles based on your social standing in the community, and what the Jillson's and their relatives would have worn. Beautiful dresses and accessories on exhibit.

We have exclusive items from the Jillson family, one of the founding families in Windham.

In Memory of Anita Sebestyen, President, Windham Historical Society

Windham Residents in the Miltary-Honoring our Brave

Coming in November

Join us in honoring those brave individuals who have served our country starting from our early settlers who fought beside George Washington and signed the Declaration of Independence. We have memorabilia and artifacts from each war with interesting facts and the names of those Windham residents who served.

This exhibit is our contribution to the 250th Anniversary of the USA and will open throughout 2026 as part of that celebration.

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 (well, actually an actor portraying them). 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).

Download a schedule of Tavern Nights guests

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.

Upcoming Events:

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.