Celebrate the release of Preservation in Action, the first publication to tell the compelling, illustrated story of preservation in Old Wethersfield—Connecticut’s largest and oldest historic district in its oldest town. Based on original research, with stunning photography and handsome design, the book demonstrates the community’s long effort to preserve the architectural legacy of its historic village, through individual and institutional commitments, civic planning decisions, historic preservation, and design review.

Spanning more than a century, the book highlights ten stories of restoration, rehabilitation, renovation, adaptation, and reuse. The examples include the oldest house in town, with a 17th century addition added thirty years ago; a 19th century commercial building whose greenhouse was repurposed as a cafe in 2022; and the town’s old high school, which was redeveloped in a bold partnership between the Town and the Historical Society, together with the Society’s redevelopment of the Henry Deming House—an undertaking that has spurred the economic revival of the old village.

Join us Sunday, September 22, for a champagne reception with light hors d’oeuvres and a special exhibition of Peter Brown’s published and unpublished photography from the project, shown throughout the museum galleries and the 1752 Joseph Webb House and available for custom order.