"I only regret that I have but one life to lose for my country" declared Captain Nathan Hale moments before the British hanged him as a spy in 1776.

One of the first of thousands of patriots who would die in the war for American independence, Hale is Connecticut's official State Hero. He was born and spent most of the short life he courageously sacrificed on this 400-acre farm.

Hale, a Yale-educated school teacher, was commissioned a first lieutenant in the Continental Army in 1775. A year later he volunteered to go behind British lines on Long Island to gather military intelligence desperately needed by General George Washington. But the British captured Hale and, when they discovered he was a spy, executed him. He was 21.

In 1776 Hale's father rebuilt the Homestead, which has changed little since. Its furnishings include collections amassed by pioneer Connecticut antiquarian George Dudley Seymour and several Hale family possessions.

Admission:

Adults $7; Students, Teachers & Seniors $6; Children age 6-18 $4; Children under 6 and members are FREE; Families (2 adults with children) $15; For Groups of 10 or more: $5 each. Adults $5.

Directions:

From West: I-84 to I-384 to Rte 6 to South Street, follow signs to Hale Homestead, 6.3 miles from I-384.

From East: I-84 to Coventry exit (#67), south on Rte 31, left onto Rte 44, right onto Silver Street. At end of Silver Street left onto South Street, follow signs to Hale Homestead - 9 miles from I-84.