MUSEUM HISTORY

Coggeshall Farm Museum was incorporated in 1973 as "a quiet, authentic place for 20th century Americans to observe the lifestyles of 1750 Rhode Island".

Upon purchasing the former Samuel P. Colt estate in 1965 for use as a state park, the State of Rhode Island assessed the property's structures and assets.  With the historic 18th century farmhouse facing possible demolition, several members of the Bristol Historical Society approached then Governor John Chaffee to convert the site into a museum.  By 1968 the Society had signed a lease for the museum site from the State and began design and construction of new outbuildings.  By 1973 the project had expanded beyond the scope of the Historical Society and the museum was incorporated as its own non-profit organization.  Since its inception the museum has been continually re-evaluating and refining its mission and objectives to better educate the community about the lives of late 18th century Rhode Islanders.  Today, Coggeshall Farm Museum offers a visitor experience that is unique in southeastern New England.

The COGGESHALL CONNECTION

The museum gets its name from some of its more famous 19th century occupants.  Wilbur and Eliza Coggeshall were tenants at the farm beginning in the early 19th century.  Their son Chandler Coggeshall went on in later life to become active in state politics and in 1888 helped to found the State Agricultural School, known today as the University of Rhode Island.  Although a common local name, there is currently no evidence that Coggeshalls were living at the farm during the museum's time period.