Museum Commons
The Fairfield Museum and History Center has spearheaded the revitalization of the historic Town Green campus to create a dynamic regional destination – The Museum Commons. More than 400 years of diverse stories are embedded in this intimate campus, which also serves as the Town of Fairfield’s civic center and the home of the Fairfield Museum and History Center. The properties are open on the weekends from 10am – 4pm through Labor Day.
Exhibitions and interactive displays are featured in three buildings: Kids’ Cottage, Victorian Barn and Sun Tavern. Interactive and hands-on experiences for adults, children and families interweave topics from family to community and the environment to agriculture, linking them to the Fairfield Museum’s exhibition, Creating Community: Exploring 375 Years of Our Past.
More about the Museum Commons Exhibitions:
The Kids’ Cottage encourages families with younger children to explore their community through hands-on activities. Learn what about your town with interactive maps, construct a town in the building zone, plant a garden, or play dress-up as a History Tourist! Families also learn how to protect the environment through water conservation and protecting our natural resources.
The Victorian Barn (1888) exhibit explores Fairfield’s agricultural roots and promotes conversations about contemporary food issues. Explore and learn about our community’s past and present agriculture– the food resources and the techniques and tools of yesterday’s and today’s farmers. Discover how people have preserved food over time and find out where you can support buying local!
The Sun Tavern (c. 1780) offers visitors an immersive experience to explore and discover through reproduction objects that people can touch, feel and learn more about. Become a local and sit at a tavern table, empty out the mailbag or read a newspaper from 200 years ago. Take on the life of a traveler staying overnight and see what they carried and where they slept. In the “Seeking Justice” room, explore some of the trials that took place at the nearby courthouse by playing the part of a judge or defendant.
Self-Guided Walking Tours
Visitors to the Fairfield Museum and History Center can discover the fascinating history of the Museum Commons and Town Green through a self-guided walking tour. Informative signs featuring historic photographs and information are placed throughout the historic center of Fairfield. Read stories about the people, events, and sites that have made Fairfield such a unique community for more than three centuries. View or download the Walking Tour map here >>
The Fairfield Museum and History Center is grateful to the following donors who provided leadership support for the Museum Commons:
State of Connecticut Department of Economic and Community Development
Connecticut Humanities
Connecticut Trust for Historic Preservation
Town of Fairfield
With thanks to Fairfield Rotary Club and Newman’s Own Foundation for support of the Victorian Cottage,
Grand Lodge of the Ancient, Free and Accepted Masons of Connecticut and Mr. John Baron for support of the Sun Tavern, and the ongoing support of Fairfield Museum members.