October 4, 2025 – April 12, 2026
To Come to a Land of Milk and Honey: Fairfield & the Connecticut Western Reserve
Imagine taking Connecticut’s northern and southern borders and extending them west all the way to the Pacific Ocean, which is what the state’s original Royal Charter envisioned. While Connecticut gave up its claims to its continent-wide boundary after the American Revolution, the state did “reserve” a section of present-day Ohio for future settlement.
After Fairfield’s Burning by the British in 1779, many residents were given land in the Western Reserve, known as the Firelands. Along with others across Connecticut, some pulled up stakes and moved to create a new life in the Ohio “wilderness,” linking those two areas of the country for generations to come. This fascinating exhibition tells the stories of those who left Fairfield behind and what they discovered.
November 15, 2025 – May 17, 2026
Eat, Drink & Start a Revolution! Fairfield's Taverns
Colonial taverns were more than just places to eat and drink—they were vital community hubs and news outlets. Distinguished visitors including George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, and Abigail Adams stopped at local taverns like Samuel Penfield’s near the Town Green, known today as Sun Tavern. By the late 1700s, taverns helped cultivate the growing resistance against the British Crown and galvanized support for American independence. In the years after the Revolution, taverns hosted meetings where residents refined and nurtured democratic ideas and created new forms of Town government.
Fairfield Museum’s exhibit will explore the important role that taverns played through a rich display of historic artifacts, lectures, and public programs that celebrate how regular citizens came together to forge an independent democratic nation.
April 30, 2026 – January 3, 2027
Fairfield in 1776: Revolution & Resilience
Fairfield in 1776 was a vastly different community than it is today, and this exhibit and its related community programs will explore how Fairfield has grown and diversified over the past 250 years. In 1774, more than half of the town’s population was under 20 years old. Fairfield at that time also had one of the highest enslaved populations in Connecticut. By examining how Fairfield navigated its historic challenges and opportunities over the past 250 years to become a more multi-cultural and inclusive community, visitors will be able to consider the progress that has been made toward achieving a more equitable society, and the inequities that may still exist.
Image: Battle of Lexington and Concord, Amos Doolittle, 1775. Connecticut Museum of Culture and History, 1844.10.1
May 14 – September 27, 2026
Portraits of Fairfield
As a complement to the Fairfield: 1776 to Today exhibition, Portraits of Fairfield will be an outdoor display of 15 large-scale photographs of contemporary Fairfield residents who represent today’s diverse and inspiring community. The intimate portraits will be displayed on Fairfield’s historic Town Green, which has been a community gathering spot since 1639, and will feature downloadable interviews with each person that celebrate their unique history within the community.
May 30 – November 8, 2026
Happy Anniversary! Centenary Celebrations & Beyond
How do we remember past moments in history? How do we choose to celebrate?
From the Declaration of Independence’s Centennial in 1876 and the Bicentennial in 1976, to town and state anniversaries, people have commemorated through parades, quilting bees, reenactments and more. Discover how Fairfielders have remembered key moments in history through unique photographs, quilts, costumes, flags and more!
This exhibition will be on display in South Gallery.
Image: Tercentenary reenactment of Connecticut Colony’s founding, 1935. Gift of Donald Cronan, 2018.10.1
July 2 - 19, 2026
Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness: The Declaration at 250
Working with prominent archival dealer Seth Kaller, Fairfield Museum will exhibit the first printed copy of the Declaration of Independence as well as other documents relating to the founding of the U.S. in a limited two-week-long exhibition.