Holiday Marketplace Open
Nov
9

Holiday Marketplace Open

The Nellie McKnight Museum's Holiday Marketplace offers a festive shopping experience with unique gifts and holiday treasures. Visitors can explore Nellie's Mercantile, stocked with one-of-a-kind gift items, including local artisan wares and Ellington-themed items, perfect for anyone who loves local charm. The Holiday Boutique is brimming with previously loved holiday décor and ornaments, each waiting for a new home and priced to sell. This seasonal event brings the spirit of the holidays to the museum, making it a wonderful stop for anyone looking to find special items while supporting the museum’s mission.

View Event →
Holiday Marketplace Open
Nov
16

Holiday Marketplace Open

The Nellie McKnight Museum's Holiday Marketplace offers a festive shopping experience with unique gifts and holiday treasures. Visitors can explore Nellie's Mercantile, stocked with one-of-a-kind gift items, including local artisan wares and Ellington-themed items, perfect for anyone who loves local charm. The Holiday Boutique is brimming with previously loved holiday décor and ornaments, each waiting for a new home and priced to sell. This seasonal event brings the spirit of the holidays to the museum, making it a wonderful stop for anyone looking to find special items while supporting the museum’s mission.

View Event →
Holiday Marketplace Open
Nov
23

Holiday Marketplace Open

The Nellie McKnight Museum's Holiday Marketplace offers a festive shopping experience with unique gifts and holiday treasures. Visitors can explore Nellie's Mercantile, stocked with one-of-a-kind gift items, including local artisan wares and Ellington-themed items, perfect for anyone who loves local charm. The Holiday Boutique is brimming with previously loved holiday décor and ornaments, each waiting for a new home and priced to sell. This seasonal event brings the spirit of the holidays to the museum, making it a wonderful stop for anyone looking to find special items while supporting the museum’s mission.

View Event →
Holiday Marketplace Open
Nov
29

Holiday Marketplace Open

The Nellie McKnight Museum's Holiday Marketplace offers a festive shopping experience with unique gifts and holiday treasures. Visitors can explore Nellie's Mercantile, stocked with one-of-a-kind gift items, including local artisan wares and Ellington-themed items, perfect for anyone who loves local charm. The Holiday Boutique is brimming with previously loved holiday décor and ornaments, each waiting for a new home and priced to sell. This seasonal event brings the spirit of the holidays to the museum, making it a wonderful stop for anyone looking to find special items while supporting the museum’s mission.

View Event →
Holiday Marketplace Open
Nov
30

Holiday Marketplace Open

The Nellie McKnight Museum's Holiday Marketplace offers a festive shopping experience with unique gifts and holiday treasures. Visitors can explore Nellie's Mercantile, stocked with one-of-a-kind gift items, including local artisan wares and Ellington-themed items, perfect for anyone who loves local charm. The Holiday Boutique is brimming with previously loved holiday décor and ornaments, each waiting for a new home and priced to sell. This seasonal event brings the spirit of the holidays to the museum, making it a wonderful stop for anyone looking to find special items while supporting the museum’s mission.

View Event →
Holiday Marketplace Open
Dec
1

Holiday Marketplace Open

The Nellie McKnight Museum's Holiday Marketplace offers a festive shopping experience with unique gifts and holiday treasures. Visitors can explore Nellie's Mercantile, stocked with one-of-a-kind gift items, including local artisan wares and Ellington-themed items, perfect for anyone who loves local charm. The Holiday Boutique is brimming with previously loved holiday décor and ornaments, each waiting for a new home and priced to sell. This seasonal event brings the spirit of the holidays to the museum, making it a wonderful stop for anyone looking to find special items while supporting the museum’s mission.

View Event →
Holiday Marketplace Open
Dec
7

Holiday Marketplace Open

The Nellie McKnight Museum's Holiday Marketplace offers a festive shopping experience with unique gifts and holiday treasures. Visitors can explore Nellie's Mercantile, stocked with one-of-a-kind gift items, including local artisan wares and Ellington-themed items, perfect for anyone who loves local charm. The Holiday Boutique is brimming with previously loved holiday décor and ornaments, each waiting for a new home and priced to sell. This seasonal event brings the spirit of the holidays to the museum, making it a wonderful stop for anyone looking to find special items while supporting the museum’s mission.

View Event →
Winterfest 2024
Dec
7

Winterfest 2024

Celebrate Ellington's Winterfest at the Nellie McKnight Museum! Step into the warmth of the holiday spirit as you enjoy refreshments, gather around the bonfire, and tour the historic 1812 house museum beautifully decorated for the season. Browse the Holiday Marketplace for unique gifts and treasures, and enjoy the fellowship of friends and neighbors in a festive atmosphere. With so much to experience, the Nellie McKnight Museum is truly the place to be during Ellington’s Winterfest.

View Event →
Holiday Marketplace Open
Dec
8

Holiday Marketplace Open

The Nellie McKnight Museum's Holiday Marketplace offers a festive shopping experience with unique gifts and holiday treasures. Visitors can explore Nellie's Mercantile, stocked with one-of-a-kind gift items, including local artisan wares and Ellington-themed items, perfect for anyone who loves local charm. The Holiday Boutique is brimming with previously loved holiday décor and ornaments, each waiting for a new home and priced to sell. This seasonal event brings the spirit of the holidays to the museum, making it a wonderful stop for anyone looking to find special items while supporting the museum’s mission.

View Event →
Holiday Marketplace
Dec
12

Holiday Marketplace

The Nellie McKnight Museum's Holiday Marketplace offers a festive shopping experience with unique gifts and holiday treasures. Visitors can explore Nellie's Mercantile, stocked with one-of-a-kind gift items, including local artisan wares and Ellington-themed items, perfect for anyone who loves local charm. The Holiday Boutique is brimming with previously loved holiday décor and ornaments, each waiting for a new home and priced to sell. This seasonal event brings the spirit of the holidays to the museum, making it a wonderful stop for anyone looking to find special items while supporting the museum’s mission.

View Event →
Holiday Marketplace
Dec
13

Holiday Marketplace

The Nellie McKnight Museum's Holiday Marketplace offers a festive shopping experience with unique gifts and holiday treasures. Visitors can explore Nellie's Mercantile, stocked with one-of-a-kind gift items, including local artisan wares and Ellington-themed items, perfect for anyone who loves local charm. The Holiday Boutique is brimming with previously loved holiday décor and ornaments, each waiting for a new home and priced to sell. This seasonal event brings the spirit of the holidays to the museum, making it a wonderful stop for anyone looking to find special items while supporting the museum’s mission.

View Event →
Holiday Marketplace Open
Dec
14

Holiday Marketplace Open

The Nellie McKnight Museum's Holiday Marketplace offers a festive shopping experience with unique gifts and holiday treasures. Visitors can explore Nellie's Mercantile, stocked with one-of-a-kind gift items, including local artisan wares and Ellington-themed items, perfect for anyone who loves local charm. The Holiday Boutique is brimming with previously loved holiday décor and ornaments, each waiting for a new home and priced to sell. This seasonal event brings the spirit of the holidays to the museum, making it a wonderful stop for anyone looking to find special items while supporting the museum’s mission.

View Event →
Holiday Marketplace Open
Dec
15

Holiday Marketplace Open

The Nellie McKnight Museum's Holiday Marketplace offers a festive shopping experience with unique gifts and holiday treasures. Visitors can explore Nellie's Mercantile, stocked with one-of-a-kind gift items, including local artisan wares and Ellington-themed items, perfect for anyone who loves local charm. The Holiday Boutique is brimming with previously loved holiday décor and ornaments, each waiting for a new home and priced to sell. This seasonal event brings the spirit of the holidays to the museum, making it a wonderful stop for anyone looking to find special items while supporting the museum’s mission.

View Event →
Holiday Marketplace
Dec
19

Holiday Marketplace

The Nellie McKnight Museum's Holiday Marketplace offers a festive shopping experience with unique gifts and holiday treasures. Visitors can explore Nellie's Mercantile, stocked with one-of-a-kind gift items, including local artisan wares and Ellington-themed items, perfect for anyone who loves local charm. The Holiday Boutique is brimming with previously loved holiday décor and ornaments, each waiting for a new home and priced to sell. This seasonal event brings the spirit of the holidays to the museum, making it a wonderful stop for anyone looking to find special items while supporting the museum’s mission.

View Event →
Holiday Marketplace
Dec
20

Holiday Marketplace

The Nellie McKnight Museum's Holiday Marketplace offers a festive shopping experience with unique gifts and holiday treasures. Visitors can explore Nellie's Mercantile, stocked with one-of-a-kind gift items, including local artisan wares and Ellington-themed items, perfect for anyone who loves local charm. The Holiday Boutique is brimming with previously loved holiday décor and ornaments, each waiting for a new home and priced to sell. This seasonal event brings the spirit of the holidays to the museum, making it a wonderful stop for anyone looking to find special items while supporting the museum’s mission.

View Event →
Holiday Marketplace Open
Dec
21

Holiday Marketplace Open

The Nellie McKnight Museum's Holiday Marketplace offers a festive shopping experience with unique gifts and holiday treasures. Visitors can explore Nellie's Mercantile, stocked with one-of-a-kind gift items, including local artisan wares and Ellington-themed items, perfect for anyone who loves local charm. The Holiday Boutique is brimming with previously loved holiday décor and ornaments, each waiting for a new home and priced to sell. This seasonal event brings the spirit of the holidays to the museum, making it a wonderful stop for anyone looking to find special items while supporting the museum’s mission.

View Event →
Holiday Marketplace Open (
Dec
22

Holiday Marketplace Open (

The Nellie McKnight Museum's Holiday Marketplace offers a festive shopping experience with unique gifts and holiday treasures. Visitors can explore Nellie's Mercantile, stocked with one-of-a-kind gift items, including local artisan wares and Ellington-themed items, perfect for anyone who loves local charm. The Holiday Boutique is brimming with previously loved holiday décor and ornaments, each waiting for a new home and priced to sell. This seasonal event brings the spirit of the holidays to the museum, making it a wonderful stop for anyone looking to find special items while supporting the museum’s mission.

View Event →
Holiday Marketplace Open
Dec
22

Holiday Marketplace Open

The Nellie McKnight Museum's Holiday Marketplace offers a festive shopping experience with unique gifts and holiday treasures. Visitors can explore Nellie's Mercantile, stocked with one-of-a-kind gift items, including local artisan wares and Ellington-themed items, perfect for anyone who loves local charm. The Holiday Boutique is brimming with previously loved holiday décor and ornaments, each waiting for a new home and priced to sell. This seasonal event brings the spirit of the holidays to the museum, making it a wonderful stop for anyone looking to find special items while supporting the museum’s mission.

View Event →

Fall Festival and Pre-Holiday Mercantile Clearance
Oct
12

Fall Festival and Pre-Holiday Mercantile Clearance

Mark your calendars for a family-friendly day of fall festivities at the Nellie McKnight Museum on Saturday, October 12th, from 9:30 a.m. to1:30 p.m., at 70 Main Street. (Rain date: October 19th.) This annual Fall Festival promises fun for all ages, with free fall-themed activities for kids, including pumpkin decorating throughout the day. Visitors can also explore the museum’s popular exhibits, Ellington Believe It or Not and the Farm Exhibit, which will be open for tours.

Nellie’s Mercantile will host a special Pre-Holiday Sale during the event, offering significant discounts on overstock items to make room for new inventory—don’t miss this chance to grab a bargain before the holiday season!

View Event →
Ellington Farm Day
Sep
21

Ellington Farm Day

Celebrate Ellington's Agricultural Heritage at Farm Day
The Ellington Historical Society is excited to participate in the third annual Ellington Farm Day set to take place on September 21st from 10 am to 3 pm. Visitors can explore the farm exhibit, tour the historic house museum, and discover quirky local history in the "It Happened in Ellington...Believe it or Not" exhibit. The mercantile will also be open, offering a unique shopping experience. Best of all, admission to the event is free, making it a perfect family outing.

View Event →
Living History Day-Civil War Camp-Vintage Baseball
Aug
24

Living History Day-Civil War Camp-Vintage Baseball

August 24th from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., the Ellington Historical Society, in partnership with the New England Civil War Museum, will be hosting an immersive Living History Event at the Nellie McKnight Museum. This family-friendly event promises to transport visitors back in time, offering a unique glimpse into Civil War-era life.

The event’s highlights include a meticulously recreated Civil War reenactment camp. Attendees can witness authentic camp cooking, participate in camp drills, and observe musket firing demonstrations. These interactive activities are designed to provide an educational yet entertaining experience for history enthusiasts of all ages.

One of the most anticipated segments of the day is the children’s baseball game at 1 p.m., where kids can join a game against an 1860s-era team. This is a wonderful opportunity for children to engage in a fun and educational activity. Parents can sign up their children for the game via the following link: https://form.jotform.com/241913624638157.

View Event →
Monster Truck Day
Jul
20

Monster Truck Day

It’s Monster Truck Day! Carilli Brothers Motorsports will be bringing their impressive Monster Trucks to the Nellie McKnight Museum for all to enjoy. Additional military vehicles, race cars, and even a vintage fire truck will also be on site. Food will be available and the 2024 exhibit “It Happened in Ellington…Believe it or Not” will be open during the event. Admission is free!

View Event →
Barnyard Babies at the Nellie McKnight Museum
Jun
8

Barnyard Babies at the Nellie McKnight Museum

Bring the kids to enjoy the barnyard babies at the Nellie McKnight Museum. Get up close and personal with the piglets, alpacas, chicks, lambs, and calves. Kids can enjoy creating their own “barnyard” crafts and refreshments will be available. The farm exhibit featuring the rich agricultural history of Ellington and the 1812 house museum, featuring the 2024 exhibit “It Happened in Ellington…Believe it or Not”, will be open. It’s sure to be a fun-filled day at Nellie’s!

View Event →
Vintage and Antique Market
May
4

Vintage and Antique Market

Vintage and Antique Market features over 20 vendors with various items. R.J. Weston of Westons Auction Gallery will be on hand from 9 am to noon to give appraisals of individual items. A few vendor spots are still available. Go to https://bit.ly/35q4KdS to apply today! The 2024 exhibit “It Happened in Ellington…Believe it or Not will be open in the Nellie McKnight Museum. Food and drink will be available. Admission is free.

View Event →
It Happened in Ellington...Believe it or Not
Apr
20

It Happened in Ellington...Believe it or Not

“It Happened in Ellington…Believe it or Not” exhibit at the Nellie McKnight Museum will open Saturday, April 20th from 10 am to 2 pm. The exhibit features various intriguing stories in Ellington’s history and famous people who once called Ellington their home. Historical Society members are invited to a preview of the exhibit on Friday, April 19th from 5-7 pm. Not a member? Click the join and support button on the website and join today!

View Event →
It Happened in Ellington...Believe it or Not- Members Preview
Apr
19
to Apr 20

It Happened in Ellington...Believe it or Not- Members Preview

“It Happened in Ellington…Believe it or Not” exhibit at the Nellie McKnight Museum will open on Saturday, April 19th from 5 pm to 7 pm. The exhibit features various intriguing stories in Ellington’s history and famous people who once called Ellington their home. Historical Not a member? Click the join and support button on the website and join today!

View Event →
Winterfest At Nellies
Dec
2

Winterfest At Nellies

Celebrate the holiday season with the Ellington Historical Society!

Our annual Winterfest at the Nellie McKnight Museum returns this coming Saturday, December 2nd. Enjoy a day of shopping and merriment. The event begins at 10 am, with our Holiday Marketplace opening its doors for those looking for gift ideas and uniquely Ellington-themed items.

At 11:30 am, Chick-fil-A will be arriving! Followed by MH Bakes cupcakes at 3 pm. We’ll then be serving refreshments for adults and kids to enjoy around bonfires on our grounds and offering tours of the museum featuring the much-talked-about Crystal Lake exhibit.

Looking forward to seeing you this weekend!

View Event →
Nov
26

Holiday Marketplace Open

The Holiday Marketplace features the newly stocked Mercantile with many Ellington and Connecticut themes items. The Holiday Boutique features loads of previously loved Christmas items at incredible prices. The Marketplace will be open Saturdays and Sundays Nov 25th through Dec. 23rd. The museum, decorated for the holidays and featuring the Crystal Lake Showcase will be open for touring

View Event →
Nov
25

Holiday Marketplace Open

The Holiday Marketplace features the newly stocked Mercantile with many Ellington and Connecticut themes items. The Holiday Boutique features loads of previously loved Christmas items at incredible prices. The Marketplace will be open Saturdays and Sundays Nov 25th through Dec. 23rd. The museum, decorated for the holidays and featuring the Crystal Lake Showcase will be open for touring

View Event →
Nov
24

Holiday Marketplace Opens

The Holiday Marketplace features the newly stocked Mercantile with many Ellington and Connecticut themes items. The Holiday Boutique features loads of previously loved Christmas items at incredible prices. The Marketplace will be open Saturdays and Sundays Nov 25th through Dec. 23rd. The museum, decorated for the holidays and featuring the Crystal Lake Showcase will be open for touring

View Event →
Ellington Farm Day
Sep
23

Ellington Farm Day

Start your day off with a visit to the Ellington Farmers’ Market in Arbor Park  (9AM to 12PM), then stroll down to the Nellie McKnight Museum to learn the history of Ellington farming at the Ellington Historical Society’s Farm Exhibit. Next stop at the Hall Memorial Library where you can watch live chicks hatch and kids can create a chicken-themed craft. You can take a cruise around town and visit one or more of the participating farms like Oakridge Dairy and the Modern Milkman and see how a modern-day dairy farm operates. Stop at DeCarli’s Equestrian Center or Hillside Stable for a pony ride and learn about riding lessons and boarding opportunities. Visit SJ Riding Camp to visit their summer camp facilities. Be sure to visit the quaint farm store at Johnny Appleseed’s Farm for freshly picked apples, the Back to Roots Vegetable stand for a variety of veggies, and pick up some hardy chrysanthemums at Back to Roots Mums.  Stop at Dzen Garden Market for farm-fresh products and take advantage of their two-for-one small ice cream cone offer! You will also find Ellington-raised beef at Charter Acres Farm and Star Hardware. It’s going to be a great day to celebrate Ellington Farming!

View Event →
Reminders of Home
Sep
6

Reminders of Home

Reminders of Home-Civil War Camp Newspapers from the Ellington Historical Society Archives

Found within the archives of the Ellington Historical Society, a series of newspapers self-published by Civil War soldiers tell fascinating stories of everyday life of the Union solider. Partnering with the New England Civil War Museum, our historians will present notable excerpts, advertisements, and even jokes from the newspapers - The overall theme of which illustrates the desire of Civil War citizen soldiers to bring a sense of normalcy to their lives, far from home

View Event →
Civil War Reenactment Camp
Aug
26

Civil War Reenactment Camp

The New England Civil War Museum will be setting up a small Civil War Reenactment Camp from 10 am-1 pm at the Nellie McKnight Museum. Come and see what it was like to be a soldier in the Civil War. Experience the musket firings!

View Event →
Jul
15

Monster Truck Day

It’s Monster Truck Day! Carilli Brothers Motorsports will be bringing their impressive Monster Trucks to the Nellie McKnight Museum for all to enjoy. Additional military vehicles, race cars, and even a vintage fire truck will also be on site. Food will be available and the Museum, Farm Exhibit, Crystal Lake Showcase and Nellie’s Mercantile will also be open during the event. Admission is free!

View Event →
Jun
10

Barnyard Babies Day

Bring the kids to enjoy the many Barn Yard Babies at the Nellie McKnight Museum. Get up close and personal to the piglets, alpacas, chicks, lambs, and calves. The farm exhibit featuring the rich agricultural history of Ellington and the 1812 house museum will be open for touring. Kids can enjoy creating their own “barnyard” crafts and refreshments will be available for purchase. It’s a fun-filled day at Nellies!

View Event →
May
13

Vintage Flea Market

We have been collecting great items for our annual Vintage Flea Market to be held May 13th from 9 am-2 pm at the Nellie McKnight Museum. Along with items donated to the Ellington Historical Society, independent participants will be on-site as well. Vendors can apply here. Loads of vintage items will be waiting to find new homes, items are priced to sell! Do you have items to donate? email info@ellingtonhistsoc.org and let us know.

View Event →
May
13

Crystal Lake Showcase

The exhibit explores the diverse history of Ellington’s long ago resort destination. From the early settlers through the 70s visitors will be amazed at the backstory of “Little Coney Island” Visitors will be amazed at the collection of photographs, original artifacts, and timelines, and even purchase a hotdog at the recreation of Jimmy’s famous hotdog stand.

View Event →
Apr
11

The Diary of R.I. Young

Christopher Biggs of the Historical Society presents a profile of R. I. Young, a student at Ellington’s Edward Hall’s School in 1862. His research is based on Young’s diary, one of the Society’s holdings. What was R.I.’s day like? His schoolwork? His leisure time? Discover life in Ellington in another century through Christopher’s talk. Please pre-register for this event at the Hall Memorial website.

View Event →
Dec
18

Holiday Marketplace Open

The Holiday Marketplace features a wide variety of gifts for the holidays including Ellington-themed items and local artisan’s fare. The Vintage Wares Barn includes many vintage items including Christmas decorations at incredible pricing.

View Event →
Dec
17

Holiday Marketplace Open

The Holiday Marketplace features a wide variety of gifts for the holidays including Ellington-themed items and local artisan’s fare. The Vintage Wares Barn includes many vintage items including Christmas decorations at incredible pricing.

View Event →