The King House Museum

Free guided tours May through September
Wednesday and Saturday
1:00 to 4:00 p.m. and by appointment.

232 South Main Street
Suffield, Connecticut 06078
(860) 668–5256

History of the King House

It was in beautiful, historic Suffield that Dr. Alexander King (1737-1802) built his home in 1764 on what has become one of New England's most admired Main Streets. Dr. King was a prominent leader of the local community, as well as a farmer and physician. His fine Georgian Colonial house still stands as an excellent example of the standard center-chimney structure of its day.

King's home, since 1960 the museum of the Suffield Historical Society, is filled with a great collection of early Connecticut Valley furniture. In addition, the museum's galleries display many interesting exhibits of local history. Especially significant is the Suffield cigar tobacco exhibit, as the town was for many decades one of the major sources of Connecticut Valley tobacco, as well as the location of the first cigar factory in the United States.

Featured items

Take a peek at what you’ll find in the King House collection

The King House Museum features the largest collection of early furniture made in Suffield

Probably made by Eliphalet King (1746–1821), an example of Connecticut River Valley style cabinetry

One of eight single-drawer miniature Taunton chests, circa 1730. This piece was donated by a friend of Bud Bissell.

Clock, circa 1800, with face and movement crafted by Suffield jeweler Simeon Smith (ca. 1775–1826)

A diverse collection of tobacco farming equipment and vehicles are housed in our barn

Artifacts and costumes representing Suffield’s rich Polish heritage

A 1991 reproduction of original ca. 1790 panel painting A View of Richmond Hill, likely painted by Carlos King (1769-1843), son of Alexander King. More in the May 2023 newsletter.

Painted and printed images of the town of Suffield