6/19/2015 - Historical Society Prison Exhibit Wins Awards

The Wethersfield Historical Society's exhibit Castle on the Cove: Connecticut State Prison and Wethersfield has won two prestigious awards. The exhibit, on display through 2017 at the Wethersfield Museum at the Keeney Memorial Cultural Center, was the winner of both the American Association for State and Local History's Leadership in History Award of Merit and Connecticut League of Historical Organizations' Award of Merit. Executive Director Amy Northrop Wittorff stated, "We are very honored to receive these prestigious state and national awards for our exhibit. We are grateful to all of the community members who participated in the development of the exhibit and the funders who made it possible. These awards are for them as well." Curator Rachel Zilinski noted, "With additional exposure we hope that the awards will encourage even more visitors to come to the Wethersfield Museum to learn about the history of incarceration and how it tells the story of our town, state and nation."

An early photograph depicts an armed guard atop the prison wallThe exhibit was a direct result of feedback from the community expressing their interest in the Connecticut State Prison, which operated in Wethersfield from 1827 to 1963. "It was clear that visitors wanted to learn about the history," said Zilinski, "so in response to the community interest I spent the last two years with local prison expert Frank Winiarski researching the building itself and the people who interacted with the prison to create an exhibition from records, objects and stories. Our goal was to create an exhibit where the community could explore this massive institution that shaped significant parts of Connecticut's history."

Wethersfield Historical Society could not have achieved the awards without the support of many individuals and organizations. Zilinski said, "We are thankful for all the support and collaboration that has made this exhibition possible from the Department of Correction's loan of the electric chair to the monetary support from our generous funders: the William and Alice Mortensen Foundation, the Robert Allan Keeney Memorial Fund at the Hartford Foundation for Public Giving, the Farmington Bank Community Foundation and Wethersfield Historical Society members."

Wethersfield Historical Society's award from The American Association for State and Local History's (AASLH) Award of Merit is a national award that recognizes excellence in history programs, projects, and people when compared with similar activities nationwide. The award was established to encourage the highest standards in the collection, preservation, and interpretation of state and local history in order to make the past more meaningful to all Americans. By publicly recognizing superior and innovative achievements, the Leadership in History Awards serve as an inspiration to others in the field.

The exhibit's award from The Connecticut League of History Organizations (CLHO) presents a statewide Award of Merit to institutions and individuals who demonstrate the highest of professional standards, and who enhance and further the understanding of Connecticut history. The purpose of the Award of Merit is to recognize the care, thought and effort invested in these contributions and to inspire and encourage others by acknowledging exceptional contributions to state and local history.

Visitors can experience the exhibit at the Wethersfield Museum at the Keeney Memorial Cultural Center, 200 Main Street, Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Sunday from 1 to 4 p.m. They can also visit Wethersfield Historical Society's website at wethersfieldhistory.org or call (860) 529-7656 for more information about tours.