This exhibit was on display during 2024
Past Exhibits
2024 Exhibit of Marek Sarba's Maritime Art
Local resident Marek Sarba, internationally celebrated maritime and portrait artist, is both a friend and a member of the Historical Society. His maritime paintings reflect the history of his many years at sea; his portraits reflect the personal histories of his notable subjects.
Marek’s interest in history attracted him to the Historical Society. His generous donations include several historical portraits, including Saybrook’s founder John Winthrop the Younger. The exhibit opened to visitors in June and closed in December 2024.
Miss James and Ann Petry
This exhibit was on display during 2022 and 2023
“Family Matters: Insights and Inspiration from Miss James and Ann Petry” focused on the family of two women, connected by their family and residence in Old Saybrook, who faced racial and gender discrimination and through their personal strength and determination overcame these obstacles to become highly respected and accomplished individuals, one a local legend and the other a nationally known literary figure.
The Historical Society recognized that their story had not been told locally, and believed that many would benefit from knowing of this remarkable local family. Anna Louise James as a no-nonsense, hard working woman who, for half-a-century, ran her pharmacy and dispensed prescriptions to cure illness and sooth the hearts and minds of generations of Saybrook residents and visitors. Ann (Lane) Petry, her niece, is recognized and nationally celebrated in the literary world but remains largely unrecognized in Old Saybrook.
Thanks for support from CT Humanities, the CT Historical Society and Diana and Steven Gernhardt’s James Pharmacy Family Collection.
Significant Exhibits from Inception to Present
2019-21 Siege & Battle of Saybrook Fort (1636-1637)
2017-18 – “A House for the Ages”: 250th Anniversary of the General Hart House
2016 – WW II Remembered
2015 – WW I Remembered: War of Images. Images of War
2013-14 Seige and Battle of Saybrook Fort
2011-12 Dick and Jane Exhibit – Original Artwork by Robert Childress of Old Saybrook- Now on permanent display in the Hart House
2011 – Hardship & Hardtack: A Civil War Sampler
2010 – At Step Back at The Bushnell Farm & Hart House 375th Anniversary of Old Saybrook Colony
2009 – Watercolor Show by Pay Osborne
2008 – Connecting the Past to the Future (Dick and Jane Artist Robert B. Childress)
Some other Harts of Saybrook
2007 – Sands of Time and “17 Miles” DVD – Birth of the Lower Connecticut River Valley
2006 – Slavery Exhibit – The Slaves of Saybrook and Amistad Photos
2005 – Photo Exhibit – Old Saybrook Seasons – In New Exhibit Galley
2004 – The Berrian Years 1894-1923
2002 – Christmas Exhibit
1998 – Fan Exhibit
1997 – Homespun How-to
1996 – Old Saybrook, samplers are a stitch in time
1995 – Medora’s Trunk/Victorian Fashion
1993 – Leatherman
1992 – Colony Sea Captains 1700-1800/Men and Houses of Sugar and Rum
1991 – Watercolors by Charles Russel Loomis 1857-1936
1990 – Tea: Its Tradition and Influence
Museum exhibits features War-era Posters
1988 – A Spot of Tea
1987 – Weddings American Style
1985 – A Legacy of Quilts
1984 – Federal Ball
Flowers of Christmas
1983 – The House That General Hart Built
1982 – Country Store Exhibit
1980 – Costume Exhibit Connecticut
1979 – A Child’s Christmas: Antique Toys
1976 – Historical Society Converts Hart House into Doll House
1972 -“Toys of Yesteryears”
