Sterling Historical Society

09/25/2026

UPDATE:

A MESSAGE FROM PLAINFIELD AMERICA 250: The Plainfield 250 train has postponed to October 3 for the same times as listed. We apologize for any inconvenience.

09/13/2026

THANK YOU so much to everyone who stopped by our booth yesterday at Sterling Family Day! Boy, we lucked out on the weather considering what it’s like today 🤣. Ray Weidele won the desk raffle. Megan still doesn’t have her voice back. 😅

09/12/2026

Come on down to see us a Sterling Family Day!

07/04/2026

Thank you to everyone who stopped by our table at the picnic today for the 250th birthday of our country! See you at Family Day!

06/24/2026

LAST DAYS OF THE DORRANCE INN: As many of you have seen on Sterling CT Residents, the Dorrance Inn (748 Plainfield Pike) is pending demolition, likely within the next 30 days. This is not something that the building inspector took lightly, nor anyone else, but powder post beetles have destroyed a house that, on the surface, appeared to be fine. This underscores the dangers of powder post beetles and failure to remediate in a timely manner. It is a shame but the owner intends to rebuild in the original footprint and style, and his original intentions were restoration. Of course, it won't be the same, but I am told it will be done with care.

I do have an idea to run by the homeowner to honor the original house after the new one is up, such as a placard sign with the history of the original house and a photo of it, similar to what the Caulkins Family has done with the Caulkins House in Norwich.

This is also a reminder that history is lost every day, and the mission of our historical society is to document our town's history while it is still here. Here is the Dorrance Inn as it was in 2013. I wish I had a better update for everyone, but at least we know why. --Megan McGory-Gleason, President

06/04/2026

If you are tagged in a post regarding t-shirts for the society, they are an AI scam. Please report and block. We’ll delete them as soon as we see them. It helps that their design is totally wrong, mentioning both NY and being founded in 1831, then Oneco on the bottom.

10/17/2024

Today’s episode of Amazing Tales from Off & On Connecticut’s Beaten Path features Charles Dow, native of our town! We recorded this episode with Mr. Allen last month and are so excited to share it with you now!