With gratitude and humility, the Norwich Historical Society acknowledges the Mohegan Tribe, original stewards of the land where the City of Norwich now stands. In 1659, Chief Uncas of the Mohegan Tribe granted a ‘9 mile square’ to the English immigrants who had come to make a new home in southeastern Connecticut. Over the centuries that followed, Uncas and his people were dispossessed of their lands, including their sacred burial grounds in the area now known as Chelsea Parade. We regret the injustices of Norwich’s past, and look forward to an inclusive and equitable city of the future that includes the present-day descendants of Uncas, and makes a place for the new and diverse population of our region.
Partnering with notable scholars, our free, virtual, four-part lecture series will cover a myriad of topics related to Norwich’s rich history. Lecture topics include Benedict Arnold, Eighteenth Century Black Kings and Governors in Connecticut, Emma Baker, a Mohegan Leader in the Victorian era, and Social Life and Servants in America, 1865-1914.
The Walk Norwich Trails are a series of historically themed walking trails designed to educate residents and visitors about the rich history of Norwich by providing people with an interactive walking self-guided trail complete with trail marker signs, interpretive signs, and self-guided brochures.
The Norwich Heritage and Regional Visitors’ Center is located in the 1783 Dr. Daniel Lathrop Schoolhouse on the historic Norwichtown Green. Our mission is to inform residents and visitors about places of interest in the region and about Norwich’s rich heritage through exhibits, presentations and activities. The Center serves as a gateway into the City of Norwich where visitors can learn about our numerous cultural sites and various local businesses. Walk Norwich self-guided trail brochures are also available at the Center. On permanent display in the Center is the “Discover Norwich” exhibit, which is a 10-panel exhibit encompassing themes in Norwich’s history from the 17th to the 20th century. The panels have interpretive text in addition to historical images and maps of the specific eras. The “Discover Norwich” exhibit gives visitors and locals an overview of Norwich’s rich history. There is an outdoor information box stocked with brochures that are available to take.
Address: 69 East Town Street (Norwichtown) Norwich, CT 06360
Hours: 11:00am – 3:00pm, Friday – Sunday, May 6 – October 29, 2023
Phone: 860-886-1776
Parking: Along the Norwichtown Green
Join us as Brian Carso, long-time professor of history at Misericordia University, presents a progra...
September 22 @ 6:00 pm - 7:30 pmBenedict Arnold is Norwich’s most infamous native son. Discover the story of Arnold’s ea...
September 23 @ 9:30 am - 10:30 amEllis Walter Ruley was a self-taught African American artist from Norwich. In 1933, he married a whi...
September 23 @ 10:00 am - 11:00 am