Durham, Connecticut

In Durham, Connecticut, captured moments of time afford a precious glimpse into the lives of the early residents of this small, central Connecticut town.

Situated between Hartford and New Haven, Durham was a natural stopping place for many early travelers, but with its rich farmland and plentiful sources of water power, it quickly became much more. Given Durham's proximity to Yale University, most of its residents were very well-educated farmers. This resulted in a colorful social history and a beautiful collection of architectural styles along the main roads.

Grand celebrations, patriotic and agricultural, are shown here as well as a pictorial progression through more than 200 years of life in rural New England. In the captions that accompany each picture, those familiar with the town will recognize names of local streets and landmarks and meet the people for whom the places are named. Those who only know Durham through the Durham Fair will gain insight into the beginnings of this very popular event.