Danbury Museum & Historical Society Authority (DMHSA)
The mission of the Danbury Museum & Historical Society Authority is to acquire, preserve, exhibit, and interpret the heritage and history of Danbury for the purpose of education, information, and research.
Situated in downtown Danbury, the museum preserves the John and Mary Rider House c.1785), the Dodd Hat Shop (c. 1790), the Marian Anderson Studio, the old King Street Schoolhouse, the Little Red Schoolhouse and the Charles Ives Birthplace. Huntington Hall, a modern exhibit building contains the museum offices and a research library.
The Danbury Museum and Historical Society has evolved out of efforts to preserve endangered historic properties. One of the City's oldest structures, the Rider House on Main Street, would have been demolished in 1941 to make way for a gas station had it not been for the intervention of concerned citizens (including the Mary Wooster DAR Chapter). After raising money to purchase this property, these citizens founded the Danbury Historical and Arts Center.
A merger, in 1947, between the Scott-Fanton Museum and the Danbury Historical and Arts Center, saw the creation of the Danbury Scott-Fanton Museum & Historical Society Inc. During the 1950s and 60s, the museum acquired the John Dodd Hat Shop, the Ward House, the Charles Ives birthplace, two one room schoolhouses and erected Huntington Hall, where many of its exhibits have been displayed.
In 2004, the Museum was thrilled to add the Marian Anderson Studio to its collection. Famed contralto Marian Anderson made Danbury her home for more than 50 years. The studio was moved to the Main Street campus of the museum in 1999. Restoration of the studio was completed in early 2004.
On July 1, 2008, the Danbury Museum & Historical Society Authority of the City of Danbury began operations, and the Scott-Fanton Museum ceased to exist.
Rentals of Huntington Hall & the 43 Main Street Campus
Looking to rent space in Huntington Hall or outdoors in the museum gardens? Please reach out to us at 203-743-5200 and ask for Brigid!
Museum Staff & Boards
Danbury Museum Staff
Brigid Guertin
Executive Director
Michele Lee Amundsen
Assistant Director
Collections Manager
Patrick Wells
Research Specialist
Additional Staff
Meaghan Gorman, Linda McKee,
Max Chelso, Kristina Hansen.
Questions? Please call us at 203-743-5200.
President - Geoff Herald
Vice President -Liz Hudson
Second VP - Robert Young
Secretary - Marian Hesemeyer
Treasurer - James Beschle
Trustees: Paul Valeri, Doug Polistena, Robert Doyle.
Board members are nominated by the Mayor of the City of Danbury and confirmed by Danbury's City Council. If you would like more information please contact the Danbury Museum at b.guertin@danbury-ct.gov
Board meetings are held the second Thursday of each month at 5:00 pm in Huntington Hall and via Zoom. The public is welcome.
President - Ed Siergiej
VP/Treasurer - Dr Tom Valluzzo
Secretary - Joretta Kilcourse
Board Members:
Roberta Struski, Brigid Guertin, Joan Saplio, Geraldine Macaisa, Kathy Ehli, Susan Johnson.
Authority Board Representative:
James Beschle
Marian Hesemeyer
Meetings are held at 4:00 pm on the second Thursday of the month in Huntington Hall at the Danbury Museum & Historical Society and via Zoom. These meetings are not open to the public.
Our Partner Organizations
Daughters of The American Revolution
Mary Wooster Chapter DAR was the seventh chapter to be formed in Connecticut on March 15, 1893, and was named after the wife of Major General David Wooster. The Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) is a volunteer service organization dedicated to promoting patriotism, preserving American history, and securing America's future through better education for children. Our chapter meets regularly in the at the Danbury Museum & Historical Society (43 Main St), and we maintain a room in the historic John & Mary Rider House.
Danbury Mineralogical Society
The Danbury Mineralogical Society meets on the first Thursday of each month at the Danbury Museum from 7:00pm to 9:00pm. Find out more at http://danburymineralogicalsociety.weebly.com/
Danbury Museum Fabric Friends
Danbury Museum Fabric Friends
As of August 2024, the Fabric Friends have created and donated 1077 lap-sized comfort quilts to Nuvance Health at Danbury Hospital.
Join us on the first Wednesday of the month from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. (unless it is a holiday)
If you have 100% cotton fabric or batting that you would like to donate, please give us a call at 203-743-5200 or contact us at DanburyFabricFriends@gmail.com
Danbury Garden Club
Friends of Danbury Cemeteries
Friends of Danbury Cemeteries
The Danbury Garden Club maintains the beautiful gardens located at the Danbury Museum. We hope you'll visit and enjoy the tranquil setting.
For more information, visit https://www.danburygardenclub.com/ or find them on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/danburygardenclub/.
Friends of Danbury Cemeteries
Friends of Danbury Cemeteries
Friends of Danbury Cemeteries
The mission of the Friends of Danbury Cemeteries is to preserve Danbury history by restoring the fallen and damaged gravestones of those who settled, lived in and built the city we know today. We are a volunteer organization and always looking for interested folks to learn how to do this important work. Contact us at FODC6043@GMAIL.COM