The Hebron Historical Society

Hebron’s oldest historic monument – Prophet’s Rock – is finally accessible to the public, thanks to Billy Czaja and his dedicated team of Troop 28 Scouts.

Old Town Hall - 1838

In May, 2004, the Connecticut Legislature bonded $50,000 for the repairs and renovations of Hebron's Old Town Hall as part of Senate Bill 803. The language of the bill can be found at General Assembly web site and states the following in Section 13 (a) (2):

(2) Grants-in-aid for restoration and preservation of historic structures and landmarks, not exceeding $600,000, provided not more than $50,000 shall be made available to the Hebron Historical Society for restoration of Old Hebron Town Hall.

The Executive Board and members of the Hebron Historical Society have been working with State officials since June, 2004 in order to obtain this grant money and make the much needed repairs and restorations to Old Town Hall. We also gratefully acknowledge the efforts of the Town of Hebron and various legislative offices for their assistance in moving the grant process along. We hope, at a minimum, to at least have the building painted by the end of 2005.

All repairs and renovations must be completed by December 31, 2006 in order to meet the terms of the Funding Agreement with the State of Connecticut.

Gull School House

Since May 2004, Society members have been working diligently to complete renovations to the Gull School House. The building was moved to Hebron Town Center in September 2001, adjacent to the Hebron Town Office Building and the Horton House. Interior renovations are almost complete; exterior renovations will be completed in mid-2005.

Special recognition goes to the following:

• Thomas Linskey, West River Restorations, Portland, CT. Tom went far beyond the project scope with his work on the windows, floors and interior carpentry. Tom will be working on exterior repairs in mid-2005.
• Richard Macrina, Hebron, CT. During the course of ceiling repairs, we discovered that the chimney needed to be flashed. Richard volunteered for this job as a community service, and used copper flashing. Excellent job!
• Craig Cyr, Hebron, CT. Craig has done a variety of jobs on the project, and continues to be highly involved in completing the project.
• Will Aubin, Hebron, CT, Eagle Scout project. Will is in the process of preparing an inventory of Gull furniture and accessories, painting the interior, and preparing a ready-to-view museum of the Gull, all in time for the Grand Re-Opening Ceremonies on March 12, 2005.

This Historic Diversity and Archeological Sites Map represents just a sample of the diverse people that have called Hebron home throughout history. Beginning with the arrival of the Paleoindians between 12,500 and 9,500 years ago, many Indigenous cultures lived in Hebron and thrived among its lush forests, grasslands and waterways. In 1675, large tracts of land in the area were bequeathed to English settlers in the will of Attawanhood, also known as Joshua, the son of the Mohegan Sachem Uncas. The first colonial settlements were organized in 1704 and centered along an old Indian path known to the settlers as “the Country Road,” today known as Church Street / Route 85. Hebron was incorporated as Connecticut’s 41st town in 1708 and was soon home to a variety of colonial settlers.

This Historic Diversity and Archeological Sites Map represents just a sample of the diverse people that have called Hebron home throughout history.  Beginning with the arrival of the Paleoindians between 12,500 and 9,500 years ago, many Indigenous cultures lived in Hebron and thrived among its lush forests, grasslands and waterways.  In 1675, large tracts of land in the area were bequeathed to English settlers in the will of Attawanhood, also known as Joshua, the son of the Mohegan Sachem Uncas.  The first colonial settlements were organized in 1704 and centered along an old Indian path known to the settlers as “the Country Road,” today known as Church Street / Route 85.  Hebron was incorporated as Connecticut’s 41st town in 1708 and was soon home to a variety of colonial settlers.  

It is unknown when the first enslaved African American was brought to Hebron, but according to Yale University there were 2,600 enslaved African Americans in Connecticut by 1740.  By 1774, there were approximately 5,100 enslaved people in Connecticut, most of them owned a few in a household of middle-income farmers.  In 1784 and 1797, Connecticut established laws providing for the gradual emancipation of enslaved people.  By 1820, the United States Census reported 48 enslaved people and 7,870 Free Non-White people living in Connecticut.  Hebron became home to an important community of free Black farmers, including the noted Cesar Peters and his sons, as well as others. Also arriving in Hebron in the mid and late 19th century was the first wave of European immigrants, including Irish, Italians and Eastern Europeans hired to work in the mills.  

Hebron also has a unique history of being home to an important community of people with disabilities that were actively integrated into society in the 18th and early 19th centuries.  Among them was the family of Hon. Sylvester Gilbert, who had five children born with hearing loss.  The first deaf Editor in America, Levi S. Backus, was born and raised in Hebron before creating the Radii newspaper in 1836.

The Hebron Historical Society hopes this Historic Diversity Map will offer a starting point for the understanding and appreciation of the rich history that surrounds us every day.  

Created by members of the Hebron Historical Society in 2023 and 2024 for Hebron’s Plan of Conservation and Development.