Page 23 - North Haven Magazine Issue 24 Summer 2022

lection together because it not only represents an import-
ant part of the Brockett family life, but it also provides a
valuable educational opportunity to teach future genera-
tions about how their ancestors lived. Many ideas about
how to preserve the museum antiques were considered
before a solution was finally reached.

The Zagray Farm Museum in Colchester, CT, met the
Brockett’s goal of maintaining the collection in a manner
that would provide for educational opportunities. This
farm museum is dedicated to old New England farm life
and has an extensive collection of working farm machin-
ery. They are developing more exhibits focused on dai-
ly farm life so the Brockett collection will help meet this
need. The museum is at 544 Amston Rd (SR85) in the
towns of Colchester and Hebron Connecticut and encom-
passes nearly two hundred acres of woodlands, fields, and
a large marsh. Wildlife, including turkey, fox, deer and a
variety of birds and waterfowl share this beautiful prop-
erty. There are several original buildings which include
the Zagray family homestead, dairy barn, machine shop, Collection of barbed wire Sausage stuffer used for
foundry, antique sawmill, and various sheds. Walt con- and handsaws. home-made sausage.
tacted them and shared photos of the museum antiques.
ing the collection as a place for learning will continue. It will take some
A visit was arranged and the Zagray museum people were months of work to get the items displayed, but they will become available
immediately interested. Plans were made to move the do- for children and adults to see and learn about life on the farm in early New
nated collection to the Zagray museum property in April. England.
A new building is just being completed at this farm mu-
seum and the Brockett collection will be set up in a new You can visit the Zagray website at http://www.zagrayfarmmuseum.org/
home. Zagray_Farm.html to learn more about this fascinating museum and take
a visit to a past era.
On April 29th, several trucks and trailers arrived at the
Brockett Museum and the workers packed up the items
for the trip to their new home. Although the museum will
no longer be in North Haven, Richard’s dream of keep-

NorthHavenMag.com 23