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Preview upcoming events in our Fall Program Guide »

Your Home for History

Connecticut Landmarks is a state-wide network of historic house museums spanning 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 »

Your Home for History

Connecticut Landmarks is a state-wide network of historic house museums spanning 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 »

What’s new?

The Nathan Hale Homestead is a Wheels to Learning Program Venue

The Nathan Hale Homestead is a Wheels to Learning program venue for the 2024-2025 school year. Wheels to Learning is a pilot program that seeks to understand if providing funding for transportation will increase access to out-of-classroom enriching learning experiences. K-12 public schools within Windham County can apply to waive Nathan Hale Homestead field trip and bus costs through the Wheels to Learning website. Connecticut Landmarks is also grateful to have received a quick grant from The Scripps Family Fund for Education and the Arts to support field trip programming.

The Nathan Hale Homestead engages visitors in understanding the commitments of those who have patriotically served their country through sacrifice, starting from the story of schoolteacher-turned-spy Nathan Hale. Students explore the American Revolution, what it means to be a spy throughout history, and life on a colonial farm. Staff and costumed guides lead interactive, informative activities where students learn about the uses of herbal medicines in the 18th-century home; experience marching to the commands of an officer; or participate in 18th-century lessons of reading, writing, and arithmetic before taking part in recess with historical wooden toys.

“Every season, we invite hundreds of students to step into the shoes of an 18th-century spy, soldier, student, and seamstress. It has been wonderful to watch these young scholars find joy in the past, and we are looking forward to welcoming more students through our participation in Wheels to Learning,” said Anne Marie Charland, site administrator at the Nathan Hale Homestead.

Book your field trip »

Tickets on sale for Revealing Réveillon Wallpaper Conservation Event

See conservation work in progress on November 3 and toast the start of conservation work with the team working to stabilize the Réveillon wallpaper adorning the Phelps-Hatheway House. Enjoy exclusive access to the expertise of conservators from Studio TKM Associates, who will explain and demonstrate their work caring for the papers. Attendees of this intimate gathering are invited to learn about the house and its residents while imagining the turbulence of the 1790s as two nations attempted to assert their independence—and their identities.

Proceeds from this event benefit the wallpaper conservation project at the Phelps-Hatheway House & Garden.

Learn more about this signature event »

Join Us!

You are invited to join a community of people finding inspiration in our state’s heritage. Membership support is the foundation of Connecticut Landmarks and your gateway to exploring Connecticut history. Experience the richness of all of our historic properties as often as you wish; choose from more than 85 programs, special events, and behind-the-scenes tours each season; and enjoy discounts on program tickets and in our museum stores.

Learn About Membership »

Join us!

You are invited to join a community of people finding inspiration in our state’s heritage. Membership support is the foundation of Connecticut Landmarks and your gateway to exploring Connecticut history. Experience the richness of all of our historic properties as often as you wish; choose from more than 85 programs, special events, and behind-the-scenes tours each season; and enjoy discounts on program tickets and in our museum stores.

Learn About New-and-Improved Membership »

Making History Together

Capture authentic New England charm when you host your next social event at one of Connecticut Landmarks’ historic houses and gardens. Each exquisite property creates the perfect backdrop for an unforgettable occasion. Now booking 2025 weddings and 2024 events!

Facility Rental Details »

Make Your Own History

Capture authentic New England charm when you host your next social event at one of Connecticut Landmarks’ historic houses and gardens. Each exquisite property creates the perfect backdrop for an unforgettable occasion. Now booking 2025 weddings and 2024 events!

Facility Rental Details »

Historic Preservation Updates at Phelps-Hatheway House & Garden

Fink and Son Woodworking and Carpentry have been hard at work at the Phelps-Hatheway House & Garden to give its quoins and Pine Room porch much needed care! When Oliver Phelps purchased the Burbank House in 1788, he made many changes to the original structure, including adding quoins at each corner. These wooden decorations were added to give the look of stone to the facade. Over time, the quoins on the northeast side of the house have suffered from rot and decay. Ben and his assistant Steve used their expertise to replicate and replace the quoins to prevent further damage of this beautiful detail.

The Pine Room porch has similarly experienced damage due to an influx of water, and thus termite, activity. Fink and Son dismantled a majority of the porch, and Connecticut Landmarks is currently awaiting inspection from a structural engineer to determine the safety of the foundation before the porch can be repaired. Updates on this project can be found on our preservation blog and social media.

Revealing Wallpaper Details During the Phelps-Hatheway House Conservation Project

During recent site visits, the conservation team at Studio TKM Associates, along with freelance conservation scientist Erin Mysak, analyzed the 18th-century wallpaper to understand where it has been altered, damaged, and impacted by 230 years on the walls at the Phelps-Hatheway House. Following photographic documentation, they examined sections of the original paper that have long been hidden underneath the border detail papers. Carefully, they removed samples for further analysis in their labs. Through this work, they will be able to understand the pigments, chemicals, and processes used to produce this historic wallpaper and apply that knowledge to other collections in Connecticut and around the world.

We cannot wait to share updates as the project continues to progress! Stay tuned for details on an upcoming event celebrating the start of the conservation work with the team working to stabilize the Réveillon wallpaper.

This work requires significant investment to ensure the safety of the precious wallpaper for centuries to come. We would like to thank the generous donors who have supported this project thus far. Please consider a donation to help match the grant funding that allowed us to start this work.

Learn more about the wallpaper project >>

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