Wood Memorial Library and Museum Today

The Wood Memorial Library evolved from being a public town library, to an all-volunteer operation providing museum and library services to the community by the Friends of Wood Memorial Library and Museum. It is now an impressive cultural center for the town and environs, overseen by the Friends staff and volunteers and offering:  

·      Educational programming on Native American Indians and the Town’s history for all 3rd grade students in South Windsor and beyond;

·      An Archive and database created by the Friends featuring extensive collections of the community’s documents, photographs, and oral histories, along with South Windsor town archives, and web access to much of this material;

·      Permanent exhibits on natural history, notably local birds, and Native American Indians who inhabited this area;

·      Exhibits of fine early American furniture created by craftsmen from this area;

·      Live concerts, art exhibitions, historical presentations and reenactments, story time for children, arts and crafts, interactive workshops, and more.

Lasting Partnerships

The Wood Memorial Library Trust continues to provide financial support for the maintenance and preservation of the Wood, and has contributed generously to support the exciting programming that happens at the Wood. We’d like to provide this direct financial support again with income from the Trust’s endowment, and we need your help! Please click here to donate.

Through the efforts of the Friends, the Wood has become known for its focus on the rich history of South Windsor and the Connecticut River Valley, as well as annual events such as the Gingerbread House Festival which draws 10,000+ visitors every year! The Trust makes the free use of meeting and presentation space available to other local community groups as well, such as South Windsor Historical Society, Hartford Audubon Society, Scantic River Watershed Association, and Friends of Silvio Conte National Fish and Wildlife Refuge.

A Look Forward

In 2027, the Wood Memorial Library and Museum will be 100 years old!

 We are proud of the Wood legacy, but the Library cannot take care of itself.  We are dedicated to seeing that the property, building and its contents remain protected and preserved so that many future generations will be able to enjoy live events and learn from the collections. It’s a job that gets even more challenging with time as our aging infrastructure demands more and more care and attention. The increased use of the building as well as input from experts in historic preservation are guiding us as we prioritize restoration and remodeling work.

Projects include:

• Major renovations to the grounds, especially the elevator entrance to better welcome visitors to this high-traffic area

• First-ever HVAC system for preservation of the collections and a more comfortable interior climate for visitors and staff

• New flooring for lower level exhibit space, childrens’ workshop area and kitchen

• Renovation of outdated and inadequate restroom facilities, including replacement of an exterior basement wall

• UV-blocking window treatments for energy efficiency and to more effectively preserve the collections

• Major restoration and waterproofing of the building envelope including the roof, foundation, front steps, windows and insulation