Wallingford Historic Preservation Trust (WHPT)
The Wallingford Historic Preservation Trust is the owner and caretaker of the Royce House and the American Silver Museum at the Franklin Johnson Mansion
The Wallingford Historic Preservation Trust is the owner and caretaker of the Royce House and the American Silver Museum at the Franklin Johnson Mansion.
Who We Are
In 1991, the Wallingford Historic Preservation Trust (WHPT), a 501(c)3 organization, was formed to preserve the town’s architectural and cultural history. Our Board of Trustees, Collections, Events, Library, Archives Members and Docents are all volunteers.
Trustees 2024-25 President Jerry Farrell, Jr., jerryfarrell68@gmail.com; Vice-President Chris Menapace, chris_menapace@yahoo.com; Volunteer and Outreach Manager Richard Straub, rfs58@hotmail.com; Elizabeth Lightfoot, liz@witnessstonesproject.org.
Our Mission
The Mission of Wallingford Historic Preservation Trust is threefold:
1. WHPT seeks to acquire, preserve, interpret and educate the public about historic structures and culture in early Wallingford.
2. To feature the 1840-1980 period of silver manufacturing in Wallingford and Meriden.
3. To support a more fully accurate portrayal for all, WHPT commits to championing policies and practices of cultural equity that empower a just, inclusive, equitable nation.
#GivingTuesday is November 28. Over the years, powderpost beetles have compromised the rafters and roofing of the Nehemiah Royce House, Wallingford’s oldest home (1672). In the past two years some of the rafters have begun to slide off the tops of the post and beam construction that supports them. We need to address this issue before greater damage occurs. Your donation will help us #RaisetheRoyceRoof. Click here to make your contribution.
Our Historic House Museums
The Trust owns two historically significant structures that have been restored to bring the history of Wallingford to life.
The Royce House at 538 North Main St. and the American Silver Museum / Johnson Mansion at 153 South Main St.
Sit back and enjoy a historic presentation by the Lebanon Militia from their visit in 2018.
Click: Colonial Days at the Johnson Museum
Walkin' up Main St.
Check out a new video walk of South and North Main St.; Also the Barnes House and Gungywamp House on Clintonville Rd. by John Watson
2023 Holiday House Tour