Preserving and Sharing Guilford's Treasures
P.O. Box 363, Guilford, Connecticut 06437 ~ (203) 453-2263 ~ Registered 501c3 Non-Profit
Our Mission: To collect, preserve and share the history of Guilford, Connecticut for present and future generations.
For links to videos related to our museums and collections
Museum Hours:
During the off-season,
both museums are open by appointment and for special tours. Call 203-671-9351 to schedule.
Admission is Free.
Thomas Griswold House
171 Boston Street
Guilford, CT
June - September
Saturday 11-4
Sunday 12-4
Medad Stone Tavern
171 Three Mile Course
Guilford, CT
June- September
Saturday 11-4
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2025 Ornament
The Guilford Free Library
The Guilford Free Library officially opened in 1934. Over 200 people registered at the library as patrons on the first day. Frederick C. Spencer donated the land to the town for the library to be built.
The first librarian at the library was Edith B. Nettleton. She was the director for 44 years. When she retired she became a Historical Room volunteer and developed the Guilford historic archives. The room was named in her honor in 2003.
The Guilford Keeping Society maintains photographic albums and other archival material in the Edith B. Nettleton Room.
This pewter ornament is the latest in the series offered by the Guilford Keeping Society. The price is $20.00.
Upcoming Events
September 19-21 - Fair Parking - Thomas Griswold House Field
October 4- Fall Beer Tasting - Medad Stone Tavern, 3pm to 6pm
November 19 - Annual Meeting - Guilford Free Library - 6:30 PM
The Guilford Keeping Society proudly offers pewter ornaments featuring local historical sites. Books, bird carvings and our annual calendar are also available.
About the Guilford Keeping Society
The Guilford Keeping Society collects artifacts and archives related to the history of Guilford. Our two museums house a multitude of artifacts. An extensive collection of Guilford historic photographs, journals, daybooks and other memorabilia are available to the public for research or browsing in the Historical Room at the Guilford Free Library and the Archives Room at the Medad Stone Tavern Museum.
A wealth of history is shared through exhibits, lectures, tours and educational activities. Membership is open to the public and donations are greatly appreciated as they assist the Guilford Keeping Society in maintaining its properties and sustain its various programs, such as Early Guilford Days.
Our Properties
The Medad Stone Tavern, the “Tavern that never was,” was built in the Dutch Colonial style with a graceful gambrel roof sweeping out widely over the facade to form a porch and includes tall chimneys, dormers, and stone retaining wall. This property remains one of Guilford’s most magnificent historical buildings, and some of our annual events take place here.
The Clapboard Hill Schoolhouse, built c. 1835, exemplifies the quant days when one teacher taught neighborhood children of various ages.
The Thomas Griswold House, which sits on the knoll at the corner of Boston Street and Lovers Lane, once considered the gateway to Guilford, houses a collection of items that stir our imagination of a simpler and quieter way of life.
