Wilton Historical Society
224 Danbury Road
Wilton, CT 06897
203.762.7257
info@wiltonhistorical.org
Tu. - Fri. 10:00 - 4:30
Sat. 1:00 - 4:00
2nd & 4th Sun.
(except in Oct: 17, 31)
1:00 - 4:00
For tour info. click here
Map
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Wilton Historical Society: Tools of the Trades
“Tools of the Trades” is a permanent exhibition of more than 600 tools used by the trades common to this area. Donated by Walter R.T. Smith, they were drawn from his collection of more than 4000 tools.
Master builder Walter R. T. Smith began his career and his tool collection more than 65 years ago. He has amassed more than 4,000 tools used by nearly three dozen trades and crafts typical of the work done in a rural New England community in the 19th and early 20th centuries. Many of the tools were made in or around Wilton, Connecticut.
Mr. Smith has donated more than 600
tools to the Wilton Historical Society
and
displayed them in the Abbott Barn, part of
the Heritage Museum complex. They
are
grouped by trade or craft with explanatory
material detailing how they were used and
where they were made. This is probably
the largest comprehensive collection in the
state devoted to telling the story of the
farmers, builders and craftsmen who made
the everyday products used in the home,
the barn and shops before suburbs
and modern life.
Walter Smith, expert in the restoration of historic buildings, managed the restoration of 17 historic buildings owned by the Wilton Historical Society as well as many others over the course of his career.
Also part of the museum complex is the Abbott Blacksmith Shop, a fully functioning workplace with the tools and equipment needed by the blacksmith, a key craftsmen in any community.
