October marks the 88th anniversary of Connecticut Landmarks, originally known as the Antiquarian & Landmarks Society. Since October 15, 1936, our organization has been dedicated to preserving and interpreting the 11 historic properties and collections in our care.

Much has changed over the course of 88 years, but our commitment to inspiring an understanding of our complex past through our historic sites remains central to all we do. Our programs and tours have welcomed visitors to our historic sites to explore the lives of Connecticut residents, connect with their ancestors, share historically marginalized stories, learn new skills, and feel empowered to use the lessons of the past to make the world a better place today. We’re eager to continue welcoming families, friends, and history-lovers to our historic properties, programs—new additions and beloved favorites—and share with you the exciting preservation efforts to come.

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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 school teachers within Windham County can apply to the program for grants to support busing costs for field trips 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 18^th-century home; experience marching to the commands of an officer; or participate in 18^th-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 18^th-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.

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Connecticut Landmarks is pleased to announce that our Board of Trustees voted unanimously to appoint Robert Brock as our new Executive Director. He has been serving as Interim Executive Director since April, though he joined Connecticut Landmarks as Deputy Director in 2019. Mr. Brock came to Connecticut Landmarks from St. Louis, where he was Director of Visitor Experience at the Missouri Historical Society, which saw over 500,000 visitors a year under his leadership. A Hartford resident, he holds a B.A. in Journalism from the University of Massachusetts Amherst and a M.S. in Public Policy from the University of Massachusetts Boston.

“Bob has done a great job leading the organization as interim Executive Director during a time of transition and at our busiest time of the year,” remarked Deborah Ullman, Chair of the Board of Trustees. “His broad professional experience and commitment to historic preservation makes him uniquely suited to this role. As we wrap up a busy fall of site-based programs, we look forward to several preservation projects and planning for another season of engaging programs.”

Join us in congratulating Bob, and make sure to say hello when you see him at one of our fall programs! If you have any questions or would like to schedule a meeting, email robert.brock@ctlandmarks.org

In a first-time collaboration, Waterbury’s Mattatuck Museum is sharing pieces from its significant art and history collections with visitors to the Bellamy-Ferriday House & Garden in Bethlehem. Works exploring the themes of women, 20th-century art, and local art will complement the historic house’s beautiful furniture, art, and objects. The works will be on view during Bellamy-Ferriday House & Garden’s regular hours from Saturday, September 21 to Sunday, October 20.

“The Mattatuck Museum is thrilled to be collaborating with another Connecticut institution! This is a fantastic opportunity to engage with new audiences and connect our collection to local history,” said Becca Lo Presti, Assistant Curator at the Mattatuck Museum.

Visitors will be immersed in photographs, mixed media collages, oil paintings, and sculptures nestled among the rooms of the 18th-century home that Reverend Joseph Bellamy built, and 20th-century philanthropist Caroline Ferriday made her summer home.

On view will be works by Julia Milch Singer, Alan Cohen, Leo Manso, Fred Staloff, Babette Bloch, Juan Nito Cruz, Tom Baril, Eva Fuka, Joe Stein, William Merritt Post, and Mia Brownell. Peruse the halls and discuss the artworks, their significance, and thematic connections to the house’s history as you learn about the ways that beliefs and values can guide one’s actions by interpreting the lives, actions, and commitments of the house’s former residents.

“I am delighted to see the Ferriday family’s beloved summer home in a new context by exhibiting these amazing works of art in conversation with the history of the home,” said Peg Shimer, Bellamy-Ferriday House & Garden’s Site Administrator. “This collaboration is a testament to the work both organizations do to inspire a deeper understanding of the past and create space to nurture learning.”

On Saturday, September 21, Connecticut Landmarks and Mattatuck Museum members will receive free tour admission to celebrate the exhibition opening. Complimentary celebration packets with refreshments will be distributed after tours. Supplies are limited and pre-registration is recommended to reserve your packet. Throughout the run of the exhibition, Mattatuck Museum members will receive $10 tour admission with proof of membership.

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For nearly 90 years, Connecticut Landmarks has preserved the legacy of our historic sites and their stories through our preservation work, educational programs, and engaging events. August marks Make a Will month, and there is no better time than now to start thinking about your legacy. As someone who has connected with our historic sites, been captivated by their history or architecture, or simply have recognized our legacy of preservation and education work, we ask that you consider including us in your will as you plan for your future.

By creating a will, you can ensure that your assets are distributed to your wishes and continue to support the causes you care about. By including Connecticut Landmarks in your planned giving, you will ensure that you are an instrumental part in the legacy of stewarding the important historic sites in our care.

Your legacy gift helps our organization continue to preserve the places where Connecticut history was made; welcome thousands of school groups, history enthusiasts, and families from across the country; and host programs and events that immerse visitors in the past for generations to come.

Together, we can ensure that your legacy lives on and continues to make a difference.

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Did you know that six of Connecticut Landmarks’ historic sites 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 each summer.

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. Please visit each property’s page for open hours and contact information for specific questions. This program ends on Labor Day (September 2nd). 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!

Read Blue Star Museums FAQ here »

You won’t want to miss this Thursday’s (8/8/24) Sunset Sounds Concert Series!

Will Goble Quintet will put on an unforgettable performance with Will Goble on bass, Dave Adewumi on trumpet, Nathan Edwards on tenor sax, Ryan Sands on drums, and Willerm Delisfort on keys.

Music will happen rain or shine in the intimate setting of our community room of Amos Bull House from 6-8 pm, 59 S Prospect in Hartford at the rear of our historic Butler-McCook House & Garden.

If the performance is held outdoors, please note that the grounds may still be damp from this week’s storms. Please dress accordingly and don’t forget your lawn chairs, rainboots, and picnic dinner!

Contact jana.colacino@ctlandmarks.org with any questions.

Registration appreciated, but walk-ups always welcome!

Sponsored by: the Richard P. Garmany Fund at Hartford Foundation for Public Giving; the Greater Hartford Arts Council’s United Arts Campaign with major support from the Hartford Foundation for Public Giving; and the Evelyn W. Preston Memorial Trust Fund, Bank of America, N.A., Trustee. 

See all upcoming music programs here »