Welcoming those with Hale and Hearty Roots! Each year, descendants of the Hale family visit the museum to learn about their ancestors. This year, we would like to help them learn about each other, too!
Nathan Hale is known today as America’s first spy, but before the American Revolution he was just a kid who grew up on a farm in Coventry, Connecticut. People who can trace their ancestry to the Coventry Hales and those interested in Hale family genealogy are invited to revisit the family homestead. We are particularly interested in reaching descendants of Nathan Hale’s parents, Richard Hale and Elizabeth Strong, who had 10 children who lived to adulthood. They lived in Coventry beginning in the 1740s, but in the 1800s many Hales moved west, settling in locations such as Ohio, Texas and California.
Learn about the branches of the Hale family tree, understand genealogical resources available, connect with other descendants, and tour the home that Richard Hale and Elizabeth Strong Hale built for their family. After a communal lunch with music and games, visit the Coventry Town Green where the Hales mustered out for the American Revolution, the location of the church where Richard and John were deacons, the site of Elizabeth Hale Rose’s home, and the cemetery where Hale family members rest. Schedule details »
Not only is this year the anniversary of the country’s founding and signing of the Declaration of Independence, it is also the 250th anniversary of the completion of the house in October 1776. What better year to celebrate the legacy of the Hale family?
Schedule
Begin your day at the Nathan Hale Homestead, where you’ll check in with our staff and receive your name tag and registration materials. Enjoy a specialty tour of the Nathan Hale Homestead museum, where our guides will share stories about Richard and Elizabeth Hale, and each of their children. Later in the day, a walk of the grounds will explore the Hales’ farming and homesteading.
Enjoy lunch (included with your ticket) on the grounds and in the 18th century barns on the property. Take time to connect with other descendants, and take part in Colonial-era games and activities. The Nathan Hale Fife & Drum will provide entertainment, and our experts will be on hand to share resources and answer questions about Hale family genealogy. Share your family stories with Connecticut Landmarks to help fill in our Hale histories!
In the afternoon, embark on a walking tour of the Town Green, where the Hale Family mustered to the Revolutionary War. Visit the former site of the church the Hale family attended and served as deacons in. Visit the exterior of the eldest daughter’s home. Finish the stroll with a visit to the family plot in the Nathan Hale Cemetery, completed with a salute by the local American Legion.
Make a weekend of it by exploring local attractions, including other Connecticut Landmarks’ museums. Return to the Nathan Hale Homestead on Sunday morning to attend the state’s largest farmers’ market. The market includes music, sampling, food trucks, farm and craft stands.
Travel & Local Attractions
The Museum is conveniently located within 30 minutes of Bradley International Airport; Connecticut’s capital city, Hartford; and the University of Connecticut main campus. There is ample on-site parking at the Museum. If you’d like to explore before the program, the grounds abutting the Nathan Hale State Forest open at dawn.
If you need hotel accommodations, we recommend including Windsor Locks, Storrs, and Manchester in your search area for a wide variety of lodging options.
In Coventry, the Daniel Rust House is a bed-and-breakfast that offers accommodations with a historic flair. In Storrs, the Graduate by Hilton has modern amenities with easy access to the Homestead from the UConn campus.
Local Restaurants
Other Attractions
Below are a few of our favorite places to enjoy for historical information and more! When planning your visit to the area, please refer to the Connecticut Office of Tourism’s website for inspiration and information.
Coventry Farmers’ Market
Nathan Hale Homestead, 2299 South Street, Coventry, CT
Home-grown heroes and local produce, too! The Coventry Farmers’ Market on the Nathan Hale Homestead grounds is an experience not to be missed. Open every Sunday from June – October, we’re hosting the 21st season of the Coventry Farmers’ Market on the grounds of Nathan Hale Homestead in Coventry. Our market carries the tradition of being the largest farmers’ market in Connecticut, featuring some of the best of CT-grown, CT-made products around at one of the most unspoiled countryside settings in the state. Each week, the staff of the Homestead hosts family-friendly programs including 18th–century games, hearth cooking, cheese-making, woodworking, and so much more.
Connecticut Museum of Culture & History
One Elizabeth Street, Hartford, CT
The Connecticut Museum of Culture and History was established in 1825 as the state’s premier historical society, and cultural institution. Located in the historic West End of Hartford, the Museum houses exhibitions, a library, a research center, and a vast collection that includes more than 4 million manuscripts, graphics, objects, and artifacts. This year, the Connecticut Museum will open two new exhibitions, host a series of programs, and highlight collection items to reflect on America at 250. Explore lesser-known stories that took place during the American Revolution, and moments throughout Connecticut history when its residents pursued their own visions of life, liberty, and happiness.
E-News Signup
If you’d like to receive updates on this event — especially if you’re interested in attending but not quite ready to purchase tickets yet — sign up for our e-newsletter updates about this exciting program!
We are also posting event updates and information about the Hale family on our Facebook page.