For links to videos related to our museums and collections
Museum Hours:
Admission is Free.
Thomas Griswold House
171 Boston Street
Guilford, CT
SAT 11-4
SUN 12-4
Medad Stone Tavern
171 Three Mile Course
Guilford, CT
SAT 11-4
Both museums are open year-round by appointment and for special tours. Call 203-453-2263 to schedule your tour.
Visit our exhibit at the Thomas Griswold House Museum
A Small Town in a Big War:
Guilford and the American Revolution
A Small Town in a Big War explores how the people of Guilford—and Madison, then known as East Guilford—experienced everyday life during one of the most pivotal events in American history.
Rather than focusing on distant battlefields and major campaigns, this exhibit brings the Revolution home. Through original documents, artifacts, and the stories of local residents, visitors will discover how ordinary families navigated shortages, military service, coastal threats, divided loyalties, and the daily uncertainties of wartime.
In Guilford, the Revolution was not a faraway conflict—it was part of everyday life. Local men and women contributed through vigilance, sacrifice, and perseverance, shaping their community's role in the struggle for independence.
Whether you are interested in local history, genealogy, or the broader story of the American Revolution, A Small Town in a Big War offers a compelling look at how a small Connecticut community experienced extraordinary times.
Thomas Griswold House Museum
171 Boston Street, Guilford, CT
Hours: Saturdays, 11:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m. • Sundays, 12:00–4:00 p.m.
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 sustaining 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.
