Celebrating Preservation Month
To celebrate Preservation Month this May, we’re putting a spotlight on the people who are saving places and building our communities across the state through preservation. Connecticut Landmarks’ staff, contractors, and volunteers pour their time, energy, and resources into protecting our twelve historic properties. Without their work, thousands of visitors could not find their home in history at the (insert site tags). The stories we tell are made possible by the structures we care for, and we take our responsibility to steward these sites seriously.
We begin by introducing our dedicated Preservation Manager, Aileen Bastos. With a rich background in historic preservation, Aileen is committed to ensuring that our properties are maintained according to the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for the Treatment of Historic Properties. Whether she’s collaborating with local preservation organizations and contractors on projects, working with CCSU public history graduate students on condition assessment reports, or throwing on her cargos to give our outdoor structures fresh paint, our historic properties are in good hands with Aileen.
Significant Restoration Work in New London
Connecticut Landmarks is undertaking a significant restoration project on the upper levels of the 1678 Joshua Hempsted House. For the safety of our visitors and our historic property, tours are currently restricted to the first floor of the home. Tours of the property during general open hours have been canceled until further notice, though visitors may inquire about a private tour by advance reservation. In light of this, we have reduced admission costs until further notice. Thank you for your understanding as we continue to care for the oldest remaining home in New London.
Lilac Watch in Effect at Bellamy-Ferriday
Caroline Ferriday’s famous lilacs at the Bellamy-Ferriday House & Garden are getting ready to bloom! Each spring, the stunning variety of lilacs curated by Caroline Ferriday and her mother scent the gardens and show off their fleeting blossoms in shades of purples, pinks, and even whites.
Lilacs typically reach their full bloom at Bellamy-Ferriday House & Garden mid-May. Today (May 2), the lilacs are full of buds, but no blooms yet. They have a couple of weeks to go yet. Stay tuned to our website and social media channels for updates if you’d like to plan a visit when they’re at their peak!
Our popular Lilac Walks return this year, Thursdays and Fridays, May 16-24, at 11:30 am and 2:30 pm. Tour the gardens to learn about the long history of the lilacs on the property and how we care for them. A special Members-Only walk is scheduled for May 16 at 11:30 am. Not yet a member? Join today to access all the benefits of membership!
Welcome to the 2024 Season at Connecticut Landmarks Museums!
Saturday, May 4 marks Connecticut Landmarks’ opening weekend. Our historic sites and their staff welcome visitors to open the door to the past with tours, hands-on programs, and special events. Tours of our seven historic house museums are available from May through October. Days and times vary by location. Make your reservations today!
Our 2024 season features new events including the Palmer-Warner House and East Haddam Historical Society’s Pride Month Celebration; Mattatuck Museum Takeover at the Bellamy-Ferriday House & Garden; and Making Music Together: The Ishams’ Parlor Music at the Isham-Terry House. Returning favorites include Things That Go Bump in the Night at the Nathan Hale Homestead; the Hempsted Houses’ Juneteenth Festival; Suffield Garden Club’s 46th Annual May Market at the Phelps-Hatheway House & Garden; and the Sunset Sounds Concert Series at the Butler-McCook House & Garden. Details and registration for all events can be found on our events calendar.
We look forward to welcoming you to our sites this season!
Explore Capital City Treasures with Historic Hartford Walking Tours!
Connecticut Landmarks’ Butler-McCook House & Garden invites visitors to take to the streets of Connecticut’s capital city this Spring with four Historic Hartford Walking Tours, including a brand-new sports-themed tour for the 2024 season.
For the first walking tour of the season, explore the architectural treasures of Coltsville and the Charter Oak neighborhoods. Butler-McCook staff will discuss the impacts of industry and immigration on these neighborhoods in Hartford, including sites like the Colt Factory and its worker houses, the Church of the Good Shepherd and Parish House, the Capewell Nail Factory, and the Polish National Home. The event will take place on Saturday, April 20, from 10 am–12 noon. Tickets are $10, $5 for CTL Members.
Additional walks on a variety of topics, including a BRAND NEW tour focusing on Hartford’s sports history, are planned throughout the spring.
Roof & Chimney Maintenance at New London’s Hempsted Houses
A recent inspection by J.P. Bachand revealed that the ridge boards along the roof line at the Joshua Hempsted needed attention. These were properly secured with roof screws.
Bachand and his team also made repairs to the chimney at the Joshua by sealing around the perimeter of the stainless steel cover with caulk to prevent water infiltration. They also repaired small holes in the masonry joints and used sealant around the metal flashing at the roof line.
This work was completed with the guidance of Preservation Connecticut.
Bachand is also slated to perform repairs to two windows on the east side of the Nathaniel Hempsted House, shortly.
Robert Brock Appointed Interim Executive Director
Robert Brock was appointed as Interim Executive Director by the Board of Trustees of Connecticut Landmarks effective March 29th. He previously served as Deputy Director of CTL since August 2020 and joined the organization in January 2019 as the Assistant Director of Operations.
Prior to coming to Hartford, Mr. Brock was the Director of Visitor Experience at the Missouri Historical Society in St. Louis where he was responsible for the operations of all front-line staff including visitor experience, reservations, ticketing and scheduling, budgeting, and event logistics.
Earlier in his career, Mr. Brock worked in city and state government in Massachusetts including serving three years as deputy press secretary to the Mayor of Boston. He holds a M.S. in Public Policy from the University of Massachusetts Boston and a B.A. in Journalism from the University of Massachusetts Amherst.
Request for Proposals: Architectural/Engineering Services
Connecticut Landmarks is soliciting design, project plan, specifications, and construction management services for various projects across eight of our properties, all listed on the National Register of Historic Places. CTL has been awarded state bond funds through the Connecticut Department of Economic and Community Development to assist with these various projects.
This project will encompass four major elements that will support multiple sites owned and operated by Connecticut Landmarks. Specifically, CTL proposes one mechanical project, four roofing/drainage projects, one woodworking/painting project, and one standalone structure. Proposals are due April 12, with an anticipated award date in May. For details on the project and instructions, please see the full RFP document here.