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Your Home for History
Connecticut Landmarks is a state-wide network of historic house museums sharing 400 years of New England history. Our museums are starting points for deeper exploration and greater appreciation of the Connecticut experience. Our real-life stories, as told through our houses, collections, and programs, make history matter. Plan your visit today »
Museum Tours Snapshot
Historic Halloween Happenings!
While “Things That Go Bump in the Night”, our perennially popular Halloween program at the Nathan Hale Homestead, is SOLD OUT for 2026, there are still plenty of ways to get in the spirit of the season at Connecticut Landmarks’ museums with our special Halloween events!
Floristry doesn’t need to end when the gardens have gone to rest! Join site administrator Lynn Mervosh and staff for a holiday bulb workshop that will brighten the shortest days of the year. Lynn will share the history of these bulbs and how to encourage a long-lasting display. The Phelps-Hatheway School of Floral Arts was created to showcase the magnificent blooms grown in our small community and in our great state of Connecticut. All ages and abilities are welcome!
Now an annual tradition, the Phelps-Hatheway Holiday Walking Tours return to close America’s 250th celebration with newly uncovered stories of our place in the emerging nation. Join our costumed guides as they transport guests to the time before electricity illuminated our homes to see the “grand dames” of this historic thoroughfare festively lit and decorated to celebrate the season. During the walk, you’ll gain insight into the dominant architectural styles of the historic district and hear tales of those who worked the land and supported the community throughout the ages.
Now an annual tradition, the Phelps-Hatheway Holiday Walking Tours return to close America’s 250th celebration with newly uncovered stories of our place in the emerging nation. Join our costumed guides as they transport guests to the time before electricity illuminated our homes to see the “grand dames” of this historic thoroughfare festively lit and decorated to celebrate the season. During the walk, you’ll gain insight into the dominant architectural styles of the historic district and hear tales of those who worked the land and supported the community throughout the ages.
This holiday season, we will celebrate as we imagine Julia and Charlotte Isham would have in the 1950s and 60s as the Isham-Terry House is transformed into a mid-century delight! Enjoy colored trees, tons of tinsel, and starbursts galore during special tours of the house. Enjoy Vince Guaraldi’s holiday classics from A Charlie Brown Christmas, featuring the Andrew Wilcox Trio. Children’s activities during the performance will help little ones get into the groove. Tours at 1 & 3 pm; performance at 2 pm.
What’s New?
“Wilde Weekend” at Palmer-Warner House Postponed to Spring 2027
The Oscar Wilde events at the Palmer-Warner House this Friday and Saturday have been postponed for the safety of our staff and visitors. The nor’easter in September caused damage to several trees on the property that makes them vulnerable to higher winds such as those forecasted. We will be closely monitoring the developing situation over the next few days. Ticketholders have been refunded to the cards used to purchase their tickets. Connecticut Landmarks is working with our partners to reschedule, and will announce the new date for Spring 2027 as soon as possible.
Operations Update: September 26th & 27th
While we love opening the doors of history to you, our primary concern is always for the safety of our visitors and staff. The potential for severe weather this weekend has impacted operations at several Connecticut Landmarks sites.
- The Bellamy-Ferriday House & Garden will be closed on Saturday, September 26th and Sunday, September 27th.
- The Lilac Girls event scheduled for Saturday has been postponed until Spring 2027. More information will be coming in the next few weeks.
- The Nathan Hale Homestead will be closed Saturday, September 26th and Sunday, September 27th.
- The Coventry Farmers’ Market is canceled for Sunday, September 27th. Cheese Day and the Buzz About Honey will take place on October 11.
- The Charter Oak & Coltsville Walking Tour planned for the morning of Saturday, September 26th has been rescheduled for Saturday, October 3rd. Limited tickets are available for the rescheduled event.
We apologize for the disappointment, and hope to see you at one of our historic house museums soon.
Preservation Updates
Preservation Work Underway at the Nathan Hale Homestead
We look forward to welcoming you to the Nathan Hale Homestead. This year, we celebrate the 250th anniversary of the house’s construction. For several months beginning in April, the house and outbuildings will undergo significant preservation work led by Valley Restoration LLC, including window restoration, exterior painting, roof repairs, and more. Our team is working hard to ensure that the visitor experience will not be negatively impacted. Programs will continue as planned, but you may see work vehicles and scaffolding on site, and tradespeople may be working during your visit. Our primary concern is for the safety of our visitors, and all precautions are being taken to ensure that. Thank you for your patience as we undertake this important preservation work.
18th-Century Réveillon Wallpaper Conservation Techniques with Studio TKM Associates
Last week, Connecticut Landmarks’ Marketing & Communications Manager, Olivia, met with the conservators from Studio TKM Associates to discover more about conservation techniques used on the Phelps-Hatheway House & Garden’s 18th-century Réveillon wallpaper. In this video, the conservation team shares insights into 18th-century wallpaper-making techniques, discusses the importance of using the electromagnetic spectrum and digital microscopes along with their work with Dr. Erin Mysak from Harvard University, and explores a brief history of the Phelps-Hatheway House & Garden!
With support from the National Park Service’s Save America’s Treasures, the National Trust for Historic Preservation, and generous donors, we have reached 90% of our fundraising goal for this conservation project and hope you will consider a donation this giving season to help us reach the final 10%!
Discover more about the wallpaper conservation project and support the work »