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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.
What’s New?
Connecticut Landmarks’ Historic Sites are Blue Star Museums
Did you know that six of Connecticut Landmarks’ historic house museums are among the more than 2,000 museums who are part of the Blue Star Museums program this summer?
Blue Star Museums is a collaboration among the National Endowment for the Arts, Blue Star Families, the Department of Defense, and museums across America to offer free admission to the nation’s active-duty military personnel including National Guard and Reserve and their families.
Active-duty U.S. military personnel and up to five family members can visit the Bellamy-Ferriday House & Garden, Nathan Hale Homestead, Phelps-Hatheway House & Garden, Isham-Terry House, Butler-McCook House & Garden, and the Palmer-Warner House for free on open tour days between tomorrow and September 1st. Please visit each property’s page for open hours and contact information. Present your military ID to our museum staff upon arrival to register your group for a tour.
We look forward to welcoming you and your families to our historic properties!
Modified Lilac Walks at Bellamy-Ferriday
Spring Lilac Walks are one of our most-anticipated events of the year at the Bellamy-Ferriday House & Garden. Unfortunately, the cold winter and recent bouts of significant rain have impacted the quality and visibility of this year’s blooms, and the plants are now past their prime. Scheduled Lilac Walks will proceed to highlight the remaining flowers and discuss the gardens’ history and care, and the House is open for tours during its regular hours of operation.
Those who purchased tickets refer to the email sent to the address used during registration for additional information.
We appreciate our visitors’ flexibility as Mother Nature can be a challenging collaborator!
Rescheduled: A New Page with Martha Hall Kelly
Due to unforeseen circumstances, Connecticut Landmarks has made the difficult decision to postpone A New Page with Martha Hall Kelly, originally scheduled for this Friday, May 16, at 1:00 pm. Those who purchased tickets should refer to the notice sent to the email address provided during registration for more information and next steps. We apologize for any inconvenience or disappointment.
We have worked with Winvian Farm, the Bellamy-Ferriday House & Garden, and the author herself to reschedule the event for Friday, October 3, 2025. The serene grounds of Winvian Farm will set the scene as best-selling author Martha Hall Kelly discusses her newest novel, The Martha’s Vineyard Beach and Book Club. Attendees to this intimate event will enjoy a talk and Q&A from the author herself over delicious light refreshments and tea service. Tickets are now available.
We appreciate your flexibility and hope to be able to celebrate The Martha’s Vineyard Beach and Book Club in your company later this year.
Preservation Updates
New Shutters at Bellamy-Ferriday House & Garden
The flowers in Bellamy-Ferriday’s historic garden are ready to bloom, staff are gearing up for the season, and new shutters have given the house a fresh look! A special thanks to Fink & Son Historic Restoration for their work installing the beautiful shutters expertly replicated by Fresh Start Pallet Products. This Hartford-based nonprofit employs and trains individuals recovering from addiction and life challenges, as well as recent refugees beginning their new life here in the United States. Their team creates high-quality products, primarily from reclaimed-salvaged wood, and, in partnership with community organizations, provides education and training through the Richard P. Garmany Fresh Start Academy.
Come and visit the Bellamy-Ferriday House & Garden for its opening weekend on Saturday, May 3rd!
Request for Proposals: Invitation to Bid – Structural Repairs
Connecticut Landmarks is accepting sealed proposals for construction services for structural repairs to the Joshua Hempsted House. Project is located at 11 Hempstead St, New London, CT. Those interested in providing these services, as set forth in the Invitation to Bid’s specifications, are invited to submit their proposals in triplicate to Joseph Calabrese, Project Manager, at the Crosskey Architects, LLC office, 750 Main Street, Suite 150, Hartford, CT 06103, until 2:00 pm on May 5, 2025.
Bids will be received for furnishing all labor, materials, tools and equipment necessary for the project scope of work consisting of structural repairs to the Hempsted House and associated site work. The Contract will include selective demolition, structural work, interior construction, and all other work necessary for or incidental to the completion of the project. For details on the project and instructions, please see the full RFP document here.