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.
Contact Us: Questions & Bloomfield Research: WHS email
CELEBRATING JOHNNY “SCHOOL-BOY” TAYLOR, HARTFORD’S FIRST PROFESSIONL BLACK ATHLETE
a talk by Lynette Taylor Grande
Monday, June 16, 2025 6:30 pm – 7:30 pmHuman Services Building, 330 Park Ave, Bloomfield, CT
Lynette Taylor Grande has lived in Bloomfield for many years. She retired after a rewarding career of teaching in the West Hartford Public School System. She is the daughter of the late, great Johnny Taylor, who by his success and demeanor earned the nickname “Johnny School-Boy Taylor”. He was one of the best pitchers, if not the best pitcher to ever hail from Hartford. He was also Hartford’s first athlete to break the color barrier when he signed with the Hartford Chiefs. In this program Lynette will talk about some of the struggles and successes her father experienced throughout his life as well as some important recognition he has received most recently. After a stellar career in the National Negro League, Cuban League and Mexican League that included throwing a no-hitter against Baseball Hall of Famer, Satchel Paige, Taylor returned to Hartford and signed an “organized baseball” contract with the Hartford Chiefs in 1949. This program is brought to you by The Wintonbury Historical Society in collaboration with Bloomfield Public Library and Bloomfield Leisure Services. This is a live program, but please register at– “register@bplct.org.”
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 June 2025 Drummer: Click here
To read previous Drummer issues: 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 .
Will reopen:
Sunday 1pm to 4pm
TBD after completion of repairs