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Buell family collection

2026-17-0

 Collection
Identifier: 2026-17-0

Scope and Contents

This collection (2026-17-0) consists of assorted materials produced, collected, and aggregated by the Buell family. The majority of the collection consists of tintype and print photographs of the Buell family, Litchfield schools and classes associated with Alice Grace Buell Edwards, Phelps Tavern, the Deacon Peter Buell House, and the Litchfield Playhouse. Also included is a guide to Heritance House, a menu for Gildersleeve's Inn in Litchfield, an account book kept by George W. Buell between 1894 and 1906, a postcard depicting the Litchfield Casino, an October 31, 1965 program for St. Michael's Church, and the minutes book for the Litchfield Community Players between 1943 and 1947.

A later accrual (2026-30-0) to the collection contributed a wealth of materials produced by Alice Grace Buell Edwards related to her work with the Mary Floyd Tallmadge chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution as well as the Connecticut chapter of the Order of the Eastern Star, a Masonic organization.

The papers are arranged in three series. Series 1, Alice Grace Buell Edwards papers, documents pieces of Alice Grace Buell Edwards's work with the Daughters of the American Revolution and the Order of the Eastern Star as well as the history of the Buell family. Series 2, Photographs, consists of tintype and print photographs of the Buell family and their associated activities with Litchfield schools, organizations, and buildings. Series 3, Ephemera, consists of Litchfield materials collected by the Buell family, including a guide to Heritance House, a menu for Gildersleeve's Inn in Litchfield, an account book kept by George W. Buell between 1894 and 1906, a postcard depicting the Litchfield Casino, an October 31, 1965 program for St. Michael's Church, and the minutes book for the Litchfield Community Players between 1943 and 1947.

Dates

  • Creation: 1894-1965

Creator

Conditions Governing Access

The collection is open for research.

Conditions Governing Reproduction and Use

Copyright has been transferred to the Litchfield Historical Society for materials authored or otherwise produced by the creator(s) of this collection. Copyright status for other collection materials is unknown. Transmission or reproduction of materials protected by U.S. Copyright Law (Title 17, U.S.C.) beyond that allowed by fair use requires the written permission of the copyright owners. Works not in the public domain cannot be commercially exploited without permission of the copyright owners. Responsibility for any use rests exclusively with the user.

Extent

1 boxes

Language of Materials

English

System of Arrangement

The collection is arranged in three series: 1. Alice Grace Buell Edwards papers. 2. Photographs. 3. Ephemera.

Physical Location

Collection located in Range 17B, Column 1, Shelf 3. The 1908 and 1937 Litchfield High School photographs were separated and assigned to Oversize Box 9A.

Custodial History

The majority of the collection was produced or aggregated by Alice Grace Buell Edwards. It was passed down to her ancestor, David Siddall, who donated it to the Litchfield Historical Society.

Source of Acquisition

David Siddall.

Method of Acquisition

Gift.

Accruals

A collection of Alice Grace Buell Edwards's papers (2026-30-0) were received by the Litchfield History Society and added to the Buell family collection as an accrual on July 7, 2026.

Future accruals are expected on an irregular basis. Frequency and volume is unknown.

Related Archival Materials.

John W. Buell papers (1950-20-0) Truman Buell family papers (00-2010-270-0)

Physical Description

The majority of the collection is in fine condition. The 1937 Litchfield High School class photograph has been rolled up and has experienced significant wear and tear.

Title
Collection of the Papers of the Buell Family
Status
Completed
Author
Processed by Evan McDonagh, 2026.
Date
July 8, 2026
Description rules
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin

Repository Details

Part of the Litchfield Historical Society Repository

Contact:
7 South Street
P.O. Box 385
Litchfield CT 06759
860-567-4501
860-567-3565 (Fax)