The Society

The Bristol Historical and Preservation Society, founded in 1936, “to promote interest in historical research and preservation, to stimulate the study of the history of southern New England, especially the Town of Bristol, to collect and preserve whatever pertains thereto, and to provide museum quarters for the exhibition of the same and a meeting space for our members.”

Our Building

Our building, the former Bristol County Gaol, later the Bristol Town Jail, serves as our headquarters with a meeting room, jail cells from both the 1828 and 1859 constructions, collections, library and a small museum shop.  The front part of the building was built as a jail and jail-keeper’s home.  The jail-keeper lived here with his family while keeping watch over prisoners.  The back part of the building was built later to make room for more cells.  It is made of African granite.