top of page

Canton Historical Museum to showcase 17th annual Gallery of Trees

  • jfitts0
  • Nov 8, 2024
  • 3 min read

Updated: Nov 10, 2024

By John Fitts

Staff Writer


CANTON – Sometimes fundraisers turn into larger traditions. That is certainly the case with the Gallery of Trees, which is happening at the Canton Historical Museum for the 17th year in 2024.


“It started as a fundraiser for our building fund,” said Kathy Taylor, president of the Canton Historical Society, Inc. “Now we use the money for our building and operating fund, but it’s also become a tradition. People from all over the state bring their families to see the trees and some of them try to win one.”


Specifically, local businesses, non-profits and individuals decorate and donate artificial trees for display at the museum. Creativity is in high gear and participants often used hand-crafted or upcycled materials and decorate with themes that include birds, rubber ducklings, home-made crafts, cookies, chocolates, winter wonderlands, authors, owls, sweaters, the coast, traditional winter holiday themes and more. Trees come in all sizes and sometimes people mix it up with wreaths, painted sleds, or tabletop decorations. In all, there are generally more than 100 trees.


“People are very generous, and it seems like every tree is different,” Taylor said. “It’s amazing.”


Visitors then buy tickets – generally $1 for one and 25 for $20 – and enter to win the tree(s) of their liking. It’s a great way to support the Canton Historical Museum and last year raised $21,000.


It all takes place at the Canton Historical Museum, 11 Front St., Collinsville, from Nov. 17 to Dec. 8 with a kick-off gala the evening of Nov. 16, which starts at 6:30 p.m. The gala is $25 and includes food, drink and the chance to socialize and get a first look at the transformed museum. Tree donors get a free ticket.


“There are people who come back every year and it attracts a lot of new people too,” said Taylor, who added that the event really piques a lot of interest in the museum as well.


The three-level 1865 building, once used by The Collins Company, includes many gems from the company’s history, the town of Canton as a whole, as well as Victorian and Civil War era items, Native American tools, recreation of a general store and bridal salon, a train diorama, farm tools, and so much more.


Beginning Nov. 17 and running to Dec. 8, the museum is open extra hours, with free admission, for Gallery of Trees viewing and ticket purchases.


Those hours form Nov. 17 to Dec. 8 are:

  • Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday from noon to 4 p.m.

  • Thursday from noon to 7 p.m. and

  • Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

·        

It’s also not too late to enter and trees must be at the museum by Nov. 15. Email galleryoftrees@cantonmuseum.org to get details if interested.


Those looking for a bit of inspiration can check out last year’s trees at https://cameo.smugmug.com/Gallery-of-Trees-2023/


The photographer who took those photos, Jeffrey B. Schlichter, Owner of that Cameo Photo Video will be doing it once again so keep an eye out for the link at https://cameo.smugmug.com/


The Gallery of Trees dates are also an especially good time to visit as the Historical Society plans to close the museum during January and February – with the exception of tours by special request – to clean, organize and work on new exhibits.

 

To request a January or February group tour, email information@cantonmuseum.org 


Below are a few examples of trees from previous years.






Valley Happenings

Summer Hours at Stanley-Whitman

FARMINGTON – The Stanley-Whitman House, a National Historic Landmark located in the heart of historic Farmington, has announced its summer hours of operation, in effect annually from Memorial Day through Labor Day. During this seasonal period, the museum will welcome visitors Tuesdays through Saturdays, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Group tours are available by appointment for groups of six or more. An adult must accompany children under the age of 13. For more information, call (860) 677-9222 or visit www.s-wh.org.

 

Avon Historical Society selected for fundraiser

AVON - The Avon Historical Society was selected as the July 2025 beneficiary of the program for the Big Y located at 255 West Main Street, (Route 44), Avon. The Society will receive a $1 donation every time the $2.50 reusable Community Bag is purchased at this location during July, unless otherwise directed by the customer through the Giving Tag attached to the bag.

 

Simsbury Community Band concerts

The Simsbury Community Band invites you to our summer concert series! Bring your lawn chairs for evenings of great music and community spirit. Concerts will take place on the first four Wednesdays in July at 7 p.m. in the Simsbury Farms Ice Rink (100 Old Farms Rd). Free admission and fun for the whole family.

 

Canton Main Street Farmers Market

The Canton Main Street Farmers Market in Collinsville is open every Sunday with 21 full season vendors and another 12 who schedule appearances throughout the year. The market is open from 10 am to 1 pm every Sunday through Oct. 12 in historic Collinsville. Family-friendly with stunning views of the Collins Company and the Farmington River.

 

Book Collection at the Simsbury

Public library

The Friends of the Simsbury Public Library sponsors a Book Collection at the Simsbury Public library for their Annual Used Book Sale on Oct 4 & 5, 2025.

The book collection drop off runs through Sept. 13 on Tuesdays & Fridays from 10 a.m.-12 p.m. and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

in Tariffville Room on the ground floor of the library.

Accepted items for the collection are books, complete games & puzzles, DVDs, music CDs, records, and recent computer software.

PLEASE DO NOT BRING: magazines, textbooks, encyclopedias, VHS tapes, or any item in poor condition.

Drop off is in the LOWER LEVEL Parking Lot for carts and volunteer assistance.

 

Avon History Museum grand opening

AVON –  The public is invited to join in the grand opening celebration of the new Avon History Museum at 8 East Main Street in the center of Avon on Friday, July 4 and Saturday, July 5, from 1:-4 pm.  The Town of Avon and Avon Historical Society collaborated on an eight-year renovation to turn this 202-year old structure, once called Schoolhouse No. 3, into a modern museum about Avon’s history.

In honor of the new museum, it will be open daily July 4 – July 13 from 1-4 p.m. Thereafter, a sign out front will announce permanent opening days.  For more information on The Avon Historical Society, visit:  www.avonhistoricalsociety.org

 

65th Anniversary Exhibition

Gallery on the Green presents the 65th Anniversary Exhibition from  Friday, July 11 through Saturday, Aug 9. The Canton Artists’ Guild began in 1960 and has been continuously operating ever since, making it the longest running of any artist guild in Connecticut. The membership, which today draws on artists from 30 surrounding towns, is presenting work in celebration of this 65th Anniversary.  The reception is Saturday, July 12 from 6-8 pm and will include refreshments. The show and reception are free. The gallery is located near the intersection of Dowd Avenue and Route 44 at 5 Canton Green Road in Canton. Hours are Friday – Sunday, 1-5 pm. The main floor gallery is handicapped accessible.

Website: http://www.galleryonthegreen.org

 

Music at Greenwood: Summer Talent Exhibition

Avon: On Saturday, July 19, at 4 p.m., St. Matthew Lutheran Church is hosting a musical talent exhibition to collect donations for the Canton Food Bank. This coffeehouse-style event will showcase the musical skills of members and friends of St. Matthew and other local churches. Snacks, coffee, and other beverages will be provided. St. Matthew is located at 224 Lovely Street, Avon. For more information about upcoming events, visit us online at https://www.stmatthewavon.org/music-at-greenwood.

 

Avon Free Public Library events

AVON –The following events are scheduled at Avon Free Public Library. The library is at Avon Library, 281 Country Club Road, Avon. All programs are in person except where noted. For more information on adult programs, contact Adult Services Reference Desk via avonref@avonctlibrary.info 860-673-9712 x 7203. Registration required where noted.

• If These Walls Could Talk: The Palace Theater Story. Tuesday, July 15 at 2 p.m. New this season, the Palace Theater takes the show on the road. As stunning as the theater is today, it has a dazzling past. Join us as we travel through the historic stages of the Palace from its inception, its heyday, its “seen better” days and its 21st century renovation.

• (Virtual Event) Relax Your Mind and Body Through Meditation. Thursday, July 17, 2025 at 7 p.m. Being relaxed can help ease stress and tension. It can also relieve anxiety, depression, and sleep problems. Join Bruce Faithwick for this informative workshop. There will even be a short meditation sitting to try this out firsthand.

• (Virtual Event) Tea Travelers through China.Wednesday, July 16 at 2 p.m. Danielle Beaudette of The Cozy Tea Cart (TCTC)) and certified Tea Specialist will explain about traveling throughout China, from the tea fields of the Hunan Province to those of Anhui. We will present tea rooms in Shanghai and Beijing as well as historical ancient sites.

• (In-Person Event) Food in Connecticut History: An Archaeological Perspective. Thursday, July 31 at 2 pm. This lecture focuses solely on the food products that were found in Connecticut archaeological sites.  Specifically, it includes discoveries that have been made regarding seasonally exploited natural resources from the pre-contact period to the historical period, allowing archaeologists to determine the time of year sites were occupied. The effects of health, domestication of animals, and interaction with the natural environment all can be analyzed based on the archaeology of food.

 

Farmington Valley Acoustic Festival

The 10th Annual Farmington Valley Acoustic Festival is returning on Saturday, Oct. 18 from 11 a.m. – 6 p.m. at Winding Trails in Farmington. The festival headliner is Della Mae, a GRAMMY-nominated, all-women string band.

The Festival also features Buffalo Rose, Cold Chocolate, and The Tenderbellies. In addition, award-winning songwriters from local and nationally-touring acts will be performing. Tickets are limited and must be purchased in advance. Tickets are $40 adults, and $10 children at https://windingtrails.org/music-festival or on Eventbrite.

Have a press release or story idea? Send me a note.

Thanks for submitting!

© 2023 by Train of Thoughts. Proudly created with Wix.com

bottom of page