Bring the exhibitions of the Connecticut Historical Society to your museum, library, community center, and more!

Rental Fee:
CHS member: $200
Non-member: $300

For more information, contact Sara Gardner at [email protected].

*NEW*

Votes for Women: The Work Must Be Done

Inspired by the words of notable Black reformer and political activist Mary Townsend Seymour, “The work must be done,” the Connecticut Historical Society presents exciting new research about the women of color who worked for women’s suffrage. Barred from many suffrage organizations led by white women, these active leaders developed their own associations, both nationwide and state-based, to achieve social and political reforms, including working for woman suffrage. These four exhibit banners include QR codes for viewers to access an accompanying website: chs.org/wocvotes

Contents
Four banners and structures, transported in a traveling case
Each banner: 85.5 inches high x 38 inches wide
Total size: 13 linear feet (90 square feet)
Onsite banner configuration determined by the host site

Booking Period
Up to 8 weeks

Exhibition Requirements

• 2 people for unpacking and set-up
• Safe, secure, indoor storage for exhibition travel containers
• Display of the exhibit indoors in an area without direct sunlight
• Ability to provide the Connecticut Historical Society with copies of any publicity, advertising, or supplemental materials that are produced for the exhibition
• Ability to provide digital images of your installation
• Ability to fill out a post-rental survey and provide data on attendance

Historic Timeline of Connecticut’s LGBTQ Community

Throughout history, Connecticut’s LGBTQ population has moved from leading hidden, solitary lives to claiming visible, powerful, valuable, and contributing places in society. The banner timeline explores the history of that experience: stories of oppression and resilience, tragedy and triumph.
The project is a partnership with the Connecticut Historical Society and Central Connecticut State University. A companion digital timeline of Connecticut’s LGBTQ history is also available online at chs.org/lgbtq.

Contents
Eight banners and structures, transported in traveling cases
Each banner: 85.5 inches high x 38 inches wide
Total size: 30 linear feet (180 square feet)
Onsite banner configuration determined by the host site

Booking Period
Up to 8 weeks

Exhibition Requirements

• 2 people for unpacking and set-up
• Safe, secure, indoor storage for exhibition travel containers
• Display of the exhibit indoors in an area without direct sunlight
• Ability to provide the Connecticut Historical Society with copies of any publicity, advertising, or supplemental materials that are produced for the exhibition
• Ability to provide digital images of your installation
• Ability to fill out a post-rental survey and provide data on attendance

The American Revolution: Artifacts and Stories from Across Connecticut

Connecticut in the American Revolution is a story of fervent patriots, heroic spies, and divided loyalties. This exhibit, consisting of images and text on six pop-up banners, highlights treasures from the Connecticut Historical Society collection that reveal the people and events that helped influence the war and shape the new nation. From the diary of hero-spy Nathan Hale of Coventry, to the bullet-ridden hat of 71-year old soldier and casualty Phineas Meigs of Madison, to a rare surviving red coat owned by Munson Hoyt, a loyalist from Norwalk, these artifacts and images help preserve and bring to life the stories behind Connecticut’s role in the war for independence.

Host sites are encouraged to display objects from their own collection or community alongside the exhibit.

Exhibit Specifications:

Physical Contents

• Six retractable banners and stands, each with a zippered carrying case

Size

• Each banner (including stand) is 85.5”h x 38”w
• Six banners displayed side-by-side comprise 19 linear feet and approximately 136 square feet. (Actual banner configuration determined by host site.)

Shipping/Installation

• Exhibit is packed and delivered in two cardboard shipping boxes. Host is responsible for shipping costs to and from the Connecticut Historical Society. Contact CHS for estimated shipping costs.
• If preferred, host may pick up the exhibit in person to avoid shipping
• Host responsible for exhibit installation

Booking Period

• 8 weeks
• Extended booking times available for an additional fee

Digital Resources:

• Exhibit label templates (for printing exhibit labels at 8.5”x11” and 11”x17”). These blank templates can be used if the host wants to include additional information, display additional objects from its own collection, etc.
• Customizable exhibit flyer for promoting the exhibit (8.5”x11”) – Host may customize to include information about dates, venue, programming, etc.
• Marketing materials
• Exhibit banner set-up instructions
• Marketing guidelines
• History guide

Unlikely Pairs: Objects and Stories from Connecticut History

What do we have in common with the past? What did people in the past have in common with each other? This exhibit, consisting of images and text on six pop-up banners, compares objects from the Connecticut Historical Society collection from different times and places, encouraging visitors to think about the varied and common experiences of people throughout Connecticut’s history. A 1965 tool box owned by a Pratt & Whitney employee and an 1858 hand-puppet made by a Glastonbury ventriloquist compare the paths people take to earn a living or follow their dreams. An 1864 piece of hard tack saved by a Civil War soldier and an 1842 sermon against slavery by an African American Hartford preacher reveal how people have fought battles near and far.

Host sites are encouraged to display objects from their own collection or community alongside the exhibit.

Exhibit Specifications:

Physical Contents

• Six retractable banners and stands, each with a zippered carrying case

Size

• Each banner (including stand) is 85.5”h x 38”w
• Six banners displayed side-by-side comprise 19 linear feet and approximately 136 square feet. (Actual banner configuration determined by host site.)

Shipping/Installation

• Exhibit is packed and delivered in two cardboard shipping boxes. Host is responsible for shipping costs to and from the Connecticut Historical Society. Contact CHS for estimated shipping costs.
• If preferred, host may pick up the exhibit in person to avoid shipping
• Host responsible for exhibit installation

Booking Period

• 8 weeks
• Extended booking times available for a fee

Digital Resources:

• Exhibit label templates (for printing exhibit labels at 8.5”x11” and 11”x17”). These blank templates can be used if the host wants to include additional information, display additional objects from its own collection, etc.
• Customizable exhibit flyer for promoting the exhibit (8.5”x11”) – Host may customize to include information about dates, venue, programming, etc.
• Marketing materials
• Exhibit banner set-up instructions
• Marketing guidelines
• List of exhibit artifacts and images

Rise Up, Sisters!

In honor of the 100th anniversary of the ratification of the 19th amendment, the Connecticut Women’s Hall of Fame (CWHF) and the Connecticut Historical Society, with the support of CTHumanities, created this 6-panel freestanding banner exhibit. The size of each banner is 31 inches wide and 88.25 inches tall. These are pop-out banners so there is also a side gusset of 12.5 inches. These banners can be picked up in either Hartford or New Haven.

This display chronicles the diverse group of Connecticut women who were instrumental in the movement for woman suffrage. The banners tell many different stories, from the Smith sisters of Glastonbury who spoke up about injustices against women and helped to spark others to follow in their footsteps, to Alice Paul, who put her life on the line to force the issue on a national level and whose tenacity helped to sway public opinion in the final hours. These panels are available for loan free of charge to libraries, schools, civic groups, women’s groups, and other organizations across the state in 2020 and beyond.

Exhibit Specifications:

Physical Contents

• 6-panel freestanding banner exhibit.

Size

• The size of each banner is 31 inches wide and 88.25 inches tall
• These are pop-out banners so there is also a side gusset of 12.5 inches.

Shipping/Installation

• These banners can be picked up in either Hartford or New Haven.
• If preferred, host may pick up the exhibit in person to avoid shipping
• Host responsible for exhibit installation

Booking Period

• 8 weeks
• Extended booking times available for a fee

Digital Resources:

• Marketing materials
• Exhibit banner set-up instructions
• Marketing guidelines
• List of exhibit artifacts and images

Request this free exhibit through the Connecticut Women’s Hall of Fame.