Celebrating Our 75th Anniversary
This site features information about the history of the Town of Bloomfield and the Wintonbury Parish from which it was formed. You will learn about the historic people and places of Bloomfield, see results of research being done by members of the Society, and find links to other sites relevant to the study of history.
Questions & Bloomfield Research: EMAIL
Event Details
Ms. Maria Smilios will discuss her book entitled “The Black Angels The Untold Story of the Nurses Who Helped Cure Tuberculosis,” the remarkable and true story of The Black Angels that spanned the Great Depression and moved through World War II and beyond.
The story follows the intrepid young women known by their patients as “The Black Angels.” For twenty years, they risked their lives working under appalling conditions while caring for New York’s poorest residents.
Maria Smilios is an award-winning author, keynote speaker, and adjunct lecturer at Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health. She was born and raised in New York City. She holds a Master of Arts in American literature and religion from Boston University where she was a Luce and Presidential scholar. Her work has appeared in The Guardian, Narratively, The Forward, Lit Hub, Writers Digest, The Emancipator, Newsweek, and other publications.
This presentation is a collaboration between Bloomfield Public Library and The Wintonbury Historical Society. To register go to BPLCT.org II Event Calendar
The Fannie R Gabriel History Center of the Wintonbury Historical Society is open by appointment Monday afternoons from 1 – 3 pm for historical and genealogical research. (Please call or email to make an appointment.) Its collections and exhibits are also available to view other days by appointment. For an appointment call 860-243-1531 or email: Historical Society Research. The History Center is located at 153 School Street at the corner of Park Avenue (CT Route 178), behind the Old Farm School. The school is open Sunday afternoons May 15 through October 15 from 1 – 4 pm.
We invite you to JOIN the Wintonbury Historical Society and help with the development of its many historical and educational projects.
To read the February 2025 Drummer: Click here
Videos about people & places in Bloomfield:
MAKING BLOOMFIELD HOME: a video about Bloomfield’s Jewish Community Click here.
Watch the Early Houses of Wintonbury Parish & Bloomfield video – Click here
Watch the Early Education in Wintonbury/ Bloomfield video – Click here
This video by Ralph Schmoll is an overview of the development and evolution of Education and Schools in Wintonbury/Bloomfield. In colonial times great value was placed on education, not only to prepare children to read the Scriptures, but to prepare them to find honest work. In the years that followed education changed in ways the Founding Fathers could not have imagined.
More videos by Ralph Schmoll:
Watch The Evolution of Bloomfield Center video – Click here
Watch The Filley Stone Farm House video – Click here
Watch The Filley Park Story video – Click here
Watch the Francis Gillette & the Underground Railroad Video – Click here
Watch the Old Farm School Video – Click here
Watch the Early Education in Wintonbury/Bloomfield Video – Click here
The Evolution of Bloomfield Center – Click here
Traprock Houses of Bloomfield, Simsbury and Granby – Click here
Watch the Traprock Houses of Bloomfield, Simsbury and Granby Video – Click here
The Old Farm School is
CLOSED for the season.
Will reopen:
Sunday 1pm to 4pm
May 18th – Oct 12th 2025
Plan a visit in 2025.