The image of a New England town as a rural, peaceful oasis is a myth. Granby, Connecticut has the traditional Green and the classic white Congregational Church, along with a history of conflict and change. The town was settled by a rugged and adventurous group of rebels, dissenters, and outlanders.

"The community we know today as the town of Granby is the direct descendant of a British settlement by the name of "Salmon Brook" which had its beginning in 1680. Originally a descriptive name for one part of the vast 100 square mile domain west of Talcott Ridge called colonial Simsbury, Salmon Brook soon became associated with a group of people who would chart an independent course for themselves."

"Salmon Brook, the community, was founded by people of British descent, who crossed Talcott Ridge from their homes in Windsor, to make new homes for themselves in what they called "the wilderness."

[from the 1996 Granby history "A TEMPEST IN A SMALL TOWN The Myth and Reality of Country Life Granby Connecticut 1680 - 1940" by Mark Williams]

The Old World migrants of the 1630's and 1660's moved from Massachusetts to Windsor, Connecticut, and then to Simsbury, Connecticut in 1670. Simsbury at that time included Salmon Brook (Granby), Turkey Hills (East Granby) and Cherry Brook (Canton). In 1786, Salmon Brook and Turkey Hills became the town of Granby. In 1858, East Granby became a separate town.

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The history of a town is a tapestry woven of the old houses; the stone fences guarding overgrown fields; the ruins of once-bustling mills dotting the stream banks; the events that took place through the centuries; and the thread holding it all together is the people who lived, worked, and died there.

The prime responsibility of an Historical Society is the preservation of history (documents and artifacts) for future generations. The Salmon Brook Historical Society was established in 1945, and was fortunate in having many older Granby residents who had a strong sense of history. Their roots were deep in Granby's past, and they saved things that were historically important.

The Salmon Brook Historical Society maintains the 1732 Abijah Rowe house, the 1790 Weed-Enders house, the 1870 Cooley School and the 1914 Colton-Hayes Tobacco Barn & Museum, with many exhibits of 18th and 19th century life.

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