Connecticut is bracing for a significant heat wave this week. At our historic properties, hot weather creates challenges for people visiting our historic interiors. Many of our museums do not have modern climate control. Due to the increased temperatures, tours may be limited in size or rerouted to avoid particularly warm parts of the house. Some tours may need to be abridged or canceled.

“Our priority is always the safety of our guests, staff, and collections,” said Robert Brock, Executive Director. “During times of extreme weather, our site administrators determine the adaptations that need to be made to balance a great visitor experience with safety for all.”

Please check our website and social media channels for updates before you visit our historic sites, or call the site you would like to visit to confirm operations.

Find museum contact information here »

The Nathan Hale Homestead and Phelps-Hatheway House & Garden are pleased to be included as stops on a new audio trail throughout Connecticut featuring more than a dozen historic Revolutionary War sites and audio versions of historic documents related to those sites. Visitors to the grounds of the Hale Homestead and Phelps-Hatheway House will be able to scan QR codes on signs to access audio recordings detailing the histories of the sites and their structures. This project will make history come to life for individuals of all abilities, including those with low vision and other challenges accessing print materials. The signs with QR codes will be freely accessible from dawn-dusk when the grounds of each museum are open.

“We are thrilled that our visitors have a new way to learn about our sites, even if they are not able to visit while the museum interiors are open,” said Shaelyn Amaio, Deputy Director. “Connecting with other sites with stories from this period helps us place these homes in context as we mark the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence.”

Connecticut Landmarks extends its gratitude to CRIS Radio for spearheading the project, and the historians, archivists, CCSU students, and other history organizations who made the trail possible. The Lebanon Historical Society Museum will celebrate the launch of the audio trail with a short ceremony on Saturday, June 20, at 10 am. Additional programming focusing on the Revolutionary War period will continue after the ceremony.

Get ready to celebrate America’s 250th anniversary the best way we know how: by beating the competition in pub trivia!

Don your thinking caps for tavern-style trivia in the Nathan Hale Homestead barn. Teams of up to 6 may compete in a general knowledge competition. Teams may bring their own snacks and refreshments. Prizes for the top 3 teams, the team with the most red, white, and blue spirit, and the team with the best team name!

Additional tickets have been added due to demand, but act quickly to secure your spot before they’re gone!

Tickets are $8/Person; $40/Team of 6 for CTL Members and $10/Person; $50/Team of 6 for the general public

Reserve yours now »

One of Caroline Ferriday’s interests was the life and work of Reverend Joseph Bellamy, the renowned religious leader who originally built the house where her family summered beginning when she was nine. Bellamy was a key figure in the Great Awakening, an intense 18th-century revival of Puritan religious beliefs.

Explore the life of “The Pope of Litchfield County” and understand Reverend Joseph Bellamy’s enduring impact in Bethlehem, New England, and beyond on this special tour of the Bellamy-Ferriday House & Garden. After becoming the minister of Bethlehem’s Congregational church, he built and expanded his house from 1754-1767 as his family, theological seminary, and stature grew. In this house, Bellamy instructed students including Aaron Burr, Jonathan Edwards II, and James Morris, and wrote his great tract, True Religion Delineated. Delve into the 18th century history of the “Bellamy Manse” with this new tour for the 2026 season!

The tour will be offered at 2 pm on Fridays in May & June and Thursdays in July & August. Please visit the Bellamy-Ferriday page on our website and select the “Bellamy Manse” tour from the calendar.

Learn more and purchase tickets »

Connecticut Landmarks seeks an experienced fundraising professional with strong communication skills to augment and diversify philanthropic support for the organization and expand awareness of its mission, programs, and value across the state. The successful candidate will devise and implement a comprehensive fundraising plan including communications and financial goals, metrics, and milestones. The incumbent joins our core staff and will work closely with the Executive Director (ED), the Development Committee of the Board of Trustees and the Board to implement integrated, dynamic, and impactful fundraising initiatives that strengthen and advance CTL’s mission.

Interested applicants should submit a cover letter, CV/resume, and two work samples (development plan, donor solicitation packages, letters of introduction, etc.) to: Robert Brock, Executive Director, robert.brock@ctlandmarks.org by May 15, 2026.

Learn more on our Opportunities page »

Connecticut Landmarks is accepting applications for a Gardener to care for the historic garden—a museum in and of itself—at the Bellamy-Ferriday House & Garden in Bethlehem.

In 1915, Eliza Ferriday began transforming this property’s aesthetic by establishing a formal parterre garden on the house’s west side. Over a 70-year period, Eliza and her daughter, Caroline Ferriday, created a garden showcasing their love of roses, lilacs and peonies. Through the break in the hemlock hedge, visitors enter the garden they designed. Blossoming from the end of May – June, the rose collection includes Gallicas, Albas, Centifolias, Moss and Damask Roses, as well as several Rugosas. Eliza & Caroline Ferriday also collected 15 different varieties of lilacs, including French varieties inspired by Caroline’s love of French culture & design.

The Gardener is responsible for caring for the gardens during the growing season, managing season opening and fall clean-ups, and supporting programming goals to ensure the public has access to and understands the gardens. This position works closely with the Site Administrator. The successful candidate will possess well-documented gardening skills including experience with pruning, weeding, irrigation, fertilization, and landscaping. They will enjoy working with people and have excellent written and verbal communication skills.

Job description, information and application instructions available here »

The first weekend in May 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 historic house museums are available from May through October. Days and times vary by location. Make your reservations today!

In 2026, we are commemorating the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence with an incredible, thought-provoking calendar of events. Join us for new events such as weekly story times in the Bellamy-Ferriday Garden, flower-arranging workshops at the Phelps-Hatheway House & Garden, or Tables of Revolution: Voices at the Hearth at the Hempsted Houses (newly reopened following significant restoration work!). We will also be celebrating the 10th anniversary of the publication of Lilac Girls in Bethlehem this fall, and a special series in Coventry will explore Colonial-era celebrations through immersive presentations. Returning favorites include Things That Go Bump in the Night at the Nathan Hale Homestead; the Palmer-Warner House’s Pipes & Cider Festival; 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!