“Free as air to all.”
Welcome to Pequot Library
History You Can Hold
Special Collections
Our Mission
Bringing literature, music, art, science, and the humanities to our community, our mission extends far beyond most traditional lending libraries. A small gem to be discovered, Pequot Library is a vibrant programming library where visitors of all ages arrive for high-impact cultural events and leave enriched and inspired.
Current Exhibition
Print Revolution: Pamphlets, Persuasion, and the Path to Independence
In the decades leading up to the American Revolution, ideas of liberty, faith, and self-governance spread not just on battlefields but through the power of the written word. Print Revolution explores how pamphlets, broadsides, and sermons became the lifeblood of political and spiritual debate in colonial America. Works like Thomas Paine’s Common Sense ignited calls for independence, while New England ministers used the pulpit and the press to frame rebellion as both a civic duty and a divine mission. Together, these fragile publications held in Pequot Library’s Special Collections reveal a nation-in-the-making—one forged through argument, conviction, and the transformative reach of print.
Pequot Library and its special collections are often called “a treasure,” and for good reason. Rare books and manuscripts have been at the heart of our library since 1889.
Special Collections
That’s when the founders set their minds to building a spectacular collection of Early Americana that would document American exploration, the colonial era, revolutionary period, and early republic
Plan Your Visit
Serving readers of all ages, our dynamic calendar of first-rate arts and literary programs and events educates and entertains a broad audience. We curate multiple exhibitions during the year that highlight and explore rare books, manuscripts, and archives from our Special Collections of approximately 30,000+ items.
In conjunction with our exhibitions, we organize guided tours and educational programs for K–12 students throughout the area, including Fairfield and Bridgeport. Here are some helpful details to plan your visit to Pequot Library!
