MAY

Thu, May 1, 5:30-7:30 pm
First Thursday Program: Exhibition opening of Jacob Weidenmann’s Hartford Gardens
Butler-McCook House & Garden, Hartford
Explore the work of famed landscape architect Jacob Weidenmann’s Hartford garden projects, including Bushnell Park, South Green, Cedar Hill Cemetery, and the Butler-McCook Garden.  The exhibition is co-curated by Rudy J. Favretti, author of Jacob Weidenmann: Pioneer Landscape Architect (2007). Rudy Favretti will sign copies of his book, which will also be available for sale. Wine and Cheese Reception. FREE

Sat, May 3, 10 am
Walking Tour: Government, Commerce, and Society:
Exploring a Capital City
Butler-McCook House & Garden, Hartford
Explore Hartford’s rise to prominence as a state capital, insurance capital, and cultural leader. Highlights include: the State Capitol Building, the State Treasury Building, Carousel, and the First Presbyterian Church.  Meet at the Butler-McCook House & Garden, 396 Main Street, Hartford. Sponsored jointly by CTL and the Hartford Preservation Alliance, the walking tours celebrate Preservation Month (May). The cost is $10 per person non-member and $8 per person for members of both organizations.  Reservations should be made by contacting HPA at 860-570-0331 or info@hartfordpreservation.org.

Sat, May 3, 10 am-4 pm
Plant Sale
Bellamy-Ferriday House & Garden, Bethlehem
Prepare for spring planting with a stop at the Bellamy-Ferriday plant sale.  Items for sale include perennials, shrubs, and trees propagated from the historic plants in the circa 1915 garden.  The site horticulturalist will be on hand to answer garden-related questions.  Along with the sale, there will be ongoing family-friendly craft activities and landscape walks.  FREE

Sat, May 3, 11 am- 4 pm
Celebrate Suffield
Phelps-Hatheway House & Garden, Suffield
Come explore Suffield’s rich history!  Enjoy the start of the season with a complimentary house tour and special programs.  FREE..  (Suggested donation for programs $5).  Food will be available for sale.
10 am - Special OPEN HOUSE coffee hour.
Meet & Greet new site administrator Raechel Guest.
11 am - South Main Street Walking Tour
1 pm - Attic Tour of the Phelps-Hatheway House

Mondays, May 5 & 12, 1-4 pm
Beginning Watercolor Techniques
Bellamy-Ferriday House & Garden, Bethlehem
In a step-by-step approach students will learn basic watercolor techniques including color mixing, layering, charging and glazing. Cost is $70 per participant.

Sat, May 10, 9 am-3 pm
May Market
The Phelps-Hatheway House & Garden, Suffield
The Suffield Garden Club holds its annual garden plant sale at the Phelps-Hatheway House.
1:30 pm: Join staff on a special Attic Tour of the Phelps-Hatheway House.  Regular Admission (includes house tour).

Sat, May 10, 10 am
Walking Tour: South Green Walking Tour
Butler-McCook House & Garden, Hartford
Wethersfield Avenue became the fashionable address to have after Samuel & Elizabeth Colt built their dream home, Armsmear. Explore the avenue where some of Hartford’s prosperous families built their own impressive homes as well as the Congress Street neighborhood, once slated for demolition, but survived as an early preservation victory.
Meet at The Connecticut Creative – A General Store, 25 Stonington Street, Hartford, CT Sponsored jointly by CTL and the Hartford Preservation Alliance, the walking tours celebrate Preservation Month (May). The cost is $10 per person non-member and $8 per person for members of both organizations.  Reservations should be made by contacting HPA at 860-570-0331 or info@hartfordpreservation.org.

Sat, May 10, 10 am
The Landscape of Cedar Hill, Hartford's Rural Cemetery, led by Rudy Favretti
FREE CTL or CHCF member, $5 non-member. Cedar Hill Cemetery, 453 Fairfield Avenue
Hartford, (860)956-3311.

Sat, May 10, 2-3:30 pm
Mother’s Day Tea
Nathan Hale Homestead, Coventry
In honor of Mother’s Day all special ladies are invited to bring their child to a colonial tea party. The program includes a brief house tour, colonial craft, and refreshments. Program appropriate for children ages 5 and up. An adult must accompany each child. Reservation required, 860-742-6917. $12 adults, $10 children.

Sat, May 17, 10 am
Walking Tour: Beyond Main Street
Butler-McCook House & Garden, Hartford
Hidden just a few steps past Hartford’s Main Street are architectural gems that are largely unknown to the public.   View the architectural survivors from the 18th and 19th centuries and discover how they impacted modern building projects.  Stops include: the Hartford Times Building, Central Row, and the University Club.  Meet at the Butler-McCook House & Garden, 396 Main Street, Hartford. Sponsored jointly by CTL and the Hartford Preservation Alliance, the walking tours celebrate Preservation Month (May). The cost is $10 per person non-member and $8 per person for members of both organizations.  Reservations should be made by contacting HPA at 860-570-0331 or info@hartfordpreservation.org.

Sun, May 18, 10 am-3 pm
Watercolor Workshop: Flowering Shrubs
Bellamy-Ferriday House & Garden, Bethlehem
Learn a step-by-step approach to drawing and rendering plants in watercolor and create a botanical keepsake. Reservations required, 203-266-7596, cost is $60 per participant.

Sun, May 18, Noon-4 pm
Hempsted Heritage Day
Hempsted Houses, New London
Travel back to the early 18th century with an afternoon of open hearth cooking, rope making, historic games on the lawn, oar making house tours, and music.  FREE

Sun, May 18, 3 pm
Garden Walk: Flowering Trees & Shrubs
Bellamy-Ferriday House & Garden, Bethlehem
Cost Free to CTL Members, $6 non members

Wed, May 21, 5:00-7:30 pm
Metro Hartford Alliance, HYPE After Hours Party
Butler-McCook House & Garden, Hartford

Fri, May 23-Sunday, June 8
Art Exhibition
Opening Reception, May 23, 5-8 pm
Bellamy-Ferriday House & Garden, Bethlehem
The gallery in the Visitors Center will feature Betsy Rogers-Knox’s students nature-themed drawings and paintings.

Mon, May 26, 11 am- 3 pm
Civil War Encampment
Amasa Day House, Moodus
Travel back to the Civil War era as the Amasa Day House is transformed into a Union soldiers’ camp.  Re-enactors will bring the past alive as they demonstrate drilling and firing, cooking, and camp songs.  Additionally, Kandie Carle, aka The Victorian Lady, will perform at noon, demonstrating the appropriate clothing for a Civil War-era lady.
Program is FREE

Sat, May 31, 10 am
Walking Tour: Trinity College, Hartford
Walk the hallowed grounds of Trinity College Campus where two generations of Hartford’s McCook family members taught and matriculated. Said to be one of the best examples of Victorian Gothic Collegiate architecture, visitors will witness the restoration efforts along the famous 600 foot Long Walk and visit Vernon Street, host to an array of architectural styles. Meet at the Visitor’s Parking Lot, 300 Summit Street, Hartford, CT. Sponsored jointly by CTL and the Hartford Preservation Alliance, the walking tours celebrate Preservation Month (May). The cost is $10 per person non-member and $8 per person for members of both organizations.  Reservations should be made by contacting HPA at 860-570-0331 or info@hartfordpreservation.org.

Bee There! Coventry Farmers Market and Home-Grown at Hale family activities every Sunday from June through October from 11 am – 2 pm. FREE      
                                                                                                                     
Thu, June 5, 5:30-7:30 pm
First Thursday Summer Garden Concert Series: The Sommers Rosenthal Family
The Butler-McCook House & Garden & Main Street History Center, Hartford
Enjoy an evening of bluegrass and folk with Phil, Beth and daughter, Naomi performing a program of program of old and new songs, singing three-part harmony with banjo, guitar, mandolin, and bass.  Wine and light refreshments. FREE

Sat, June 14, Noon- 4 pm
Juneteenth: Celebrating African American History
Hempsted Houses, New London
Discover the rich African-American connections at the Hempsted Houses with walking and house tours, music, and traditional games. Connecticut scholar and writer, Allegra di Bonaventura, will present an informal lecture about her research on Adam Jackson, an enslaved resident at the Hempsted Houses. FREE

Tue & Wed, June 17 & 18, 10 am-2 pm
Watercolor Workshop: Roses
Bellamy-Ferriday House & Garden, Bethlehem
Learn a step-by-step approach to drawing and rendering plants in watercolor in this 2-day workshop with botanical artist Betsy Roger-Knox. Reservations required. $90

Sunday, June 22 is Connecticut Historic Gardens Day!

Sat & Sun, June 21 & 22
Rose & Garden Weekend
CT Historic Gardens Day (June 22)
The Butler-McCook House & Garden & Main Street History Center, Hartford
Visit the Butler-McCook House & Garden and learn about the historic garden designed by pioneer landscape architect Jacob Weidenmann in 1865.  Jacob Weidenmann’s Hartford Gardens exhibition is on display in the Main Street History Center’s Aetna Gallery through August 2008. On Saturday, June 21 from 2-4 pm, meet members of the West Hartford Garden Club, who have been maintaining the museum’s historic beds since 1997, and learn about the roses and other flowers in bloom.  Light refreshments. FREE admission to the exhibit and garden.

Sun, June 22, 1-4 pm
Plein Air in the Garden
Bellamy-Ferriday House & Garden, Bethlehem
As part of Connecticut Historic Gardens’ Day, join artist Betsy Rogers-Knox for art in the historic garden and free garden tours. Garden Walk: Roses. 3 pm. FREE

Mon-Thu, June 23-26, 1-3:30 pm
Art and Nature Kids Camp Session I
Session II: Mon-Thu, July 28-31, 9:30-11:30 am
Bellamy-Ferriday House & Garden, Bethlehem
Children aged 6-11 are invited to come to this four day camp to explore, discover and learn about the links between art and nature with artist Betsy Rogers-Knox and Nancy McMillan.  Reservations required. $150 per child.

Sun June 29-Wed, July 30
Art Exhibition: Botanical Watercolors by Betsy Rogers-Knox
Bellamy-Ferriday House & Garden, Bethlehem
Opening Reception, Sun, June 29, 2-5 pm

JULY

Thu, July 3, 5:30-7:30 pm
First Thursday Summer Garden Concert Series: Cocktails, Conversation, & Music
The Butler-McCook House & Garden & Main Street History Center
Relax after work in the McCooks’ garden and enjoy the guitar and mandolin music of World musicians Judy Handler and Mark Levesque as they skillfully blend Brazilian, Latin American, gypsy, classical, swing and European influences. The evening also includes raffle prizes from local area merchants and arts organizations, drinks, and appetizers.  FREE

Tue, July 8, 10 am-3 pm
Watercolor Workshop: Lilies
Bellamy-Ferriday House & Garden, Bethlehem
Reservations required. $60

Sat, July 19, Noon - 5 pm
Music Festival
Hempsted Houses, New London
Bring the family, lawn chairs and blankets and enjoy a music-filled day in an historic setting.  FREE.

Sun, July 20, 3 pm
Garden Walk: Pruning Techniques
Bellamy-Ferriday House & Garden, Bethlehem
$6 / free for members

July 21-25, 10 am-3 pm
Colonial Kids Camp
Nathan Hale Homestead, Coventry
Children ages 8-12 will travel back to the 18th century for a week of fun and educational summer exploration. Registration required. $150 per child.

Sat & Sun, July 26 &  27, 10 am-4 pm
Colonial Encampment and Muster
Nathan Hale Homestead, Coventry
Saturday Battles 11 am and 3 pm 
Sunday Battle 11 am.
Fife & Drum Muster Sunday at noon. 
Join the Nathan Hale Fife and Drum Corps, and other reenactment groups, as they recreate the life of Revolutionary War soldiers.  Demonstrations include drilling, musket and cannon firing, camp cooking, and music.  On Sunday afternoon the Corps hosts their annual Fife & Drum muster. House tours and kid-friendly activities will be ongoing; refreshments for sale. $5 /Kids Free. All costumed re-enactors receive free admission.

Wed, July 30, 6:30-8:00 pm
Suffield Park & Rec Summer Concert Series: After All
Phelps-Hatheway House & Garden, Suffield
The duo After All has been pleasing New England crowds since 1990. Come to the Phelps-Hatheway House and enjoy music on the lawn.  FREE.

AUGUST

Sun, Aug 3, 10 am-3 pm
Watercolor Workshop: Trees
Bellamy-Ferriday House & Garden, Bethlehem
Reservations required. $60

Thu, Aug 7, 5:30-7:30 pm
McCook Summer Garden Concert Series: City Swing with Cool Cat Jazz
The Butler-McCook House & Garden & Main Street History Center
Kick up your heels to this energetic five-piece New Orleans Dixieland and Swing Jazz band specializing in great American music. Wine and light refreshments. FREE

Sat, Aug 16, 10 am-5 pm
Plein Air Day
Hempsted Houses, New London
The Hempsted Houses and the surrounding landscape will be the subject matter for artists working in all mediums.  Works of art will be on display and for sale beginning at 4 pm. No charge for working artists. (Rain date Aug 17)

Sun, Aug 17, 3 pm
Garden Walk: Edible Plants
Bellamy-Ferriday House & Garden, Bethlehem
$6 / free for members

Mid-August to mid-October
Annual Corn Maze
Nathan Hale Homestead, Coventry
Find and wind your way through a full acre of twists, turns and dead ends while learning American history. Open during regular museum hours. $3

SEPTEMBER

Thu, Sept 4, 5:30 – 7:30 pm
First Thursday Exhibition Opening: Joan Cooney, landscape and architectural painter.
The Butler-McCook House & Garden & Main Street History Center
Wine and light refreshments. FREE

Sat & Sun, Sept 6-7, 1-4 pm
Suffield on the Green
Phelps-Hatheway House & Garden, Suffield
Visit the Phelps-Hatheway House during the Friends of Suffield’s annual festival and enjoy a free tour of the first floor.

Tue, Sept 9, 10 am-3 pm
Watercolor Workshop: Fruits
Bellamy-Ferriday House & Garden, Bethlehem
Reservations required. $60.

Sun, Sept 14, 3:30-5:30 pm
Herbs for Health and Hearth
Nathan Hale Homestead, Coventry
Learn how herbs were used historically for cooking and medicine and how we still use them today. Participants will make and take home several herbal food products and enjoy an afternoon tea party. Reservations required. $25 / $15 members.

Sat, Sept 20, 1-4 pm
7th Annual Dog Show
Bellamy-Ferriday House & Garden, Bethlehem
Calling al dogs!  Celebrating dogs of all shapes, sizes and colors with prizes awarded for a variety of categories and every dog is a winner. Other events include a variety of canine-related activities, demonstrations, and organizations. Registration required. $6 per dog with one owner & extra adults, children $2. 

Fri & Sat, Sept 26 & 27
Haunted Corn Maze
Nathan Hale Homestead, Coventry
Spend a spooky evening getting lost in the corn maze! Refreshments available for sale. $5 to enter the maze. Not recommended for very young children.

 
Sun, Sept 28, 2 - 4 pm
Wethersfield ‘s Witch Craze!
Buttolph-Williams House, Hartford
Welcome to Wethersfield for an afternoon of witchcraft history. The Judy Dworin Performance Project will reprise excerpts from their critically-acclaimed theater/performance piece, The Witching Hour. Tour the famous Buttolph-Williams House, the setting for the popular children’s novel The Witch of Blackbird Pond, by Elizabeth George Speare. 2-3 pm. Free.
At 3 pm, get on the bus for a driving tour of Historic Wethersfield and see the real places mentioned in the novel like the Cove and the Meadows. Reservations recommended for the bus tour. 860.247.8996 x23. $15/$10 members.

OCTOBER

Thu, Oct 2, 5:30-7:30 pm
First Thursday: Freeman for Frémont – Backbiting, Mudslinging and a Whole Lot of Fun!
The Butler-McCook House & Garden & Main Street History Center
Get into the election spirit early with Freeman for Frémont, a lively program featuring the music and history of the 1856 presidential campaign. Developed by musician Rick Spencer, Freeman for Frémont spotlights a nation becoming deeply divided as the campaign pitted Democrat James Buchanan against Republican Charles Frémont. FREE

Fri & Sat, October 3 & 4, 7-9 pm
Haunted Corn Maze
Nathan Hale Homestead, Coventry
Spend a spooky evening getting lost in the corn maze! Refreshments available for sale. $5 to enter the maze. Not recommended for very young children.

Sat, Oct 4, 1:30 pm
Walk! Secrets in Stone
Nathan Hale Homestead, Coventry
Join CTL staff member, Linda Pagliuco, for this easy walk through the Nathan Hale Cemetery - from its oldest grave (1716) to its most famous, the Nathan Hale Monument. Meets at the Nathan Hale Cemetery on Lake Street. FREE

Tue, Oct 7, 10 am-3 pm
Watercolor Workshop: Fall Leaves
Bellamy-Ferriday House & Garden, Bethlehem
Reservations required. $60

Sat, Oct 11, 1:30 pm
Walk! Reading the Landscape
Nathan Hale Homestead, Coventry
Explore the fields and forests surrounding the Nathan Hale Homestead with staff member Kay O’Crowley on this family-friendly walk. Refreshments available for sale. Meets at the Homestead. FREE

Sat, Oct 18, 1-4 pm
Locally-Grown History Day & Fall Harvest Festival
Bellamy-Ferriday House & Garden, Bethlehem
Bring the family and celebrate the season with a host of fall-related activities, landscape walks, pumpkin decorating, children’s crafts, hay rides, an on-site farm stand, and a tour of the historic house, garden and barns. $5 /kids free.

Sat, Oct 18, 8:00 am
Walk! Birds of a Feather
Nathan Hale Homestead, Coventry
Join artist/naturalist, Robert Braunfield, for a nature walk identifying the many songbirds and raptors passing through on their journeys south.  Binoculars are a must, a field guide is recommended.  Meets at the Homestead. FREE

Sun, Oct 19, 2-5 pm
Revisiting the Treasures of Old North: Historic Cemeteries & Trees Walking Tour
Isham-Terry House, Hartford
Explore the connections to Hartford’s Isham-Terry and Butler-McCook Families with a tour of two history laden cemeteries, Old North and Spring Grove. Experience the restoration successes at Spring Grove and the emerging preservation movement at Old North. They are the final resting places for many of Hartford’s elite families as well as African-American Civil War soldiers. Grand and rare trees will also be noted along the way. The tour will begin and conclude with a reception at the Isham-Terry House.  Sponsored by Connecticut Landmarks and The Hartford Preservation Alliance. Reservations required. 860.570.0331 or info@hartfordpreservation.org.  $10. 

Fri & Sat, Oct 24 & 25, 6:45 pm
Lantern Tour of Suffield’s Town Center
Phelps-Hatheway House & Garden, Suffield
Stroll Suffield’s North Main Street by lamplight and learn about the history of the town’s center.  Tour includes a stop at the Old Burying Ground and stories about Suffield residents from days gone by.  Tour departs from the Phelps-Hatheway House Visitors Center promptly at 7 pm. Light refreshments after tour. $6 / $5 members and children.

NOVEMBER

Sat, Nov 2, 2 pm
Garden Workshop: Care and Sharpening of Gardening Tools
Bellamy-Ferriday House & Garden, Bethlehem
Bring your shears, pruners, and shovels and learn how to sharpen, repair and store your garden tools. Reservations required. $20

Sun, Nov 9, Noon to 4 pm
Hale & Hearty Hearth Cooking: Bounty of the Harvest
Nathan Hale Homestead, Coventry
Learn how food was preserved and prepared on an 18th century farm. Cook a hearty soup, roast meat in the reflector oven, bake a dessert, churn butter and then, eat! Reservation required. $50/ $40 members.

Sat, Nov 29, 2:30 – 4:30 pm
Thanksgiving with the Hempsteds
Hempsted Houses, New London