Our goal is to promote Chester's fascinating history. We have thousands of photos and documents in our collections. Chester has a long and proud military history. In August, 1777, General John Stark marched 1200 troops through Chester on his way to the Battle of Bennington. Over 200 Chester men fought in the Civil War.

In Chester's early days before the railroad came in 1849, Chester was an enlightened town. The Chester Academy (1814-1876) was one of the finest private schools in the country. Harvard and Yale did not require algebra as a subject until 1820. Yet, in Chester it was being taught in 1814. Many future statesmen and politicians graduated from Chester Academy. Lawyers, doctors, governors and two Civil War generals are among the alumni.