Fairfield in 1776: Revolution & Resilience

2026 marks the 250^th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. Step into colonial Fairfield and learn what the town was like in the years leading up to 1776. The exhibition will explore the many facets of the people who made up the Fairfield community in 1776, from their ethnic and religious backgrounds and socio-economic status to the languages they spoke. Discover who in the colonial community held power at the signing of the Declaration of Independence–and who didn’t. Visitors will compare the town in the 1700s to the present day, discover who lived here, and follow residents’ lives before and during the difficult moments of the American Revolution.

This exhibition is presented in conjunction with Portraits of Fairfield on the Museum Commons, on view from May 14 to September 27, 2026.