Celebrate the 10th anniversary of Martha Hall Kelly’s best-selling book Lilac Girls at the museum that first inspired her!

In 2000, Martha Hall Kelly toured Bethlehem’s Bellamy-Ferriday House & Garden, home of 20-century philanthropist, Caroline Woolsey Ferriday. Kelly departed the property with a deeper understanding of Ferriday’s profoundly moving actions—and an idea. Kelly’s novel, Lilac Girls, is based on the true story of 75 women imprisoned and experimented on at Ravensbrück and how Ferriday brought them to the U.S. for rehabilitation and the trip of a lifetime. Each year, the Bellamy-Ferriday House & Garden welcomes visitors from across the world to tour the home of the novel’s real-life heroine.

In celebration of Lilac Girls 10th anniversary, you’re invited to spend September 26 exploring the property’s fascinating history—plus enjoy an afternoon tea, a chance to meet Martha Hall Kelly, and other surprises!

CTL Members will have exclusive access to purchase tickets beginning on Bastille Day — Tuesday, July 14 — at 10 am. Remaining tickets will go on sale to the general public at 10 am on Tuesday, July 28.

Not yet a member?  Join today to unlock all the perks of membership, including discounts, presales, and exclusive events.

See the full schedule and learn more »

We are thrilled to announce a new way to make your mark on history with our 2026 museum passport!

Collect a stamp from each of our museums while visiting for a tour or public program between July 4 and October 31, 2026.

Once your passport is complete, enter to win a one-year Family Membership and a prize pack of gifts from Connecticut Landmarks.

“Our new passport program will allow our visitors to track their progress as they make their way to each of CTL’s historic house museums that help tell 250 years of American stories,” said Shaelyn Amaio, Deputy Director. “We can’t wait to celebrate those who combine learning and fun to complete the passport this season!”

Once you’ve collected your stamps, visit ctlandmarks.org/passport to let us know and enter the raffle for a Family Membership and a prize pack. Completed passport will be required to claim your prize.

Pick up your passport at any of our historic sites during operating hours, or print your own at home today! 

Our perennially popular Halloween program at the Nathan Hale Homestead returns on select evenings this October! CTL Members will have the first chance to purchase tickets for this annual spooktacular between July 15 and 30. Remaining tickets will be available for the general public on July 31. This creeptastic event sells out every year, so we recommend securing your spot with fiendish speed!

Members, spook your engines! Our presale begins on Wednesday, July 15, at 10:00 am! You must sign in to our online ticketing system using the account linked to your membership to purchase tickets.

To access the presale and Member pricing:

Not yet a member? Join today to unlock all the perks of membership, including discounts, presales, and exclusive events.

Connecticut Landmarks owns and operates twelve historic sites, spanning four centuries of Connecticut history. The Preservation Manager manages and conducts regular maintenance and restoration projects at all historic properties. They address Site Administrator needs and property preservation requests promptly and within an established budget. The primary focus of this role is to oversee contractors and consultants to manage the restoration of properties and grounds. This position must understand critical maintenance, repair, and restoration of historic buildings, landscapes, equipment, and fixtures. The Preservation Manager will also assist in the preparation of the annual restoration project budget, contribute specific information for state bond requests and grant applications, and have extensive interactions with government permitting contacts, construction contractors, and tradespeople.

Details and Application Instructions »

Show your favorite maternal figure how much you care by giving her a gift that lasts a whole year!

Membership with Connecticut Landmarks connects her with the stories of New Englanders who have supported causes they believed in, preserved the homes they loved, and cared for the communities they cherished. Membership benefits include free admission to tours of our nine historic house museums, discounts on dozens of public programs, invitations to members-only programs, and savings in our museum stores.

Waited until the last minute to shop? Our gift memberships can be sent straight to her email inbox, so she can start planning her first visit right as our properties open in May!

This Mother’s Day, give her three historic gardens‘ worth of flowers! Plus, learn how you can celebrate Mother’s Day with us on Saturday, May 9 with Mother’s Day Tea at Suffield’s Phelps-Hatheway House & Garden! 

Give the gift of Connecticut Landmarks membership»

Connecticut Landmarks’ Hempsted Houses have partnered with the Homeless Hospitality Center in New London, Fiddleheads Food Co-op, and the Covenant House of New London to help give the gift of warmth to the New London community this winter season with a winter clothing drive. All donated items will go to the Homeless Hospitality Center and the Covenant House who will distribute the clothing to those in need. Your support is greatly appreciated!

From December 5, 2025 through January 10, 2026, we will be accepting new hats and gloves in all sizes, and new and gently-used coats in all sizes. Donations of children’s winter coats are especially appreciated.

Drop-Off Location (look for designated donation box):

• Fiddleheads Food Co-op, 13 Broad St, New London (view map) during business hours (8 am-9 pm)

Learn More About Our Community Partners »

Our perennially popular Halloween program at the Nathan Hale Homestead is SOLD OUT for 2025. No tickets will be available at the door. If you would like to be among the first to access sales for next year’s programs when they become available, please sign up for our e-newsletter.

And remember, CTL Members have exclusive access to tickets when they go on sale! Not yet a member? Join today to unlock all the perks of membership, including discounts, presales, and exclusive events.

These special, candlelit tours will take guests around the property and into the house, all the way up to the dark, shadowy attic. Hear long-standing and new Homestead ghost stories from staff members and spooky encounters reported by guests, as featured on the Syfy channel’s Ghost Hunters.

Still looking for a creeptastic night out? Limited tickets remain for Tools of the Trade: Paranormal Edition, where staff will demonstrate tools used in paranormal investigations inside the Hale Homestead on Halloween night!

Learn More & Get Tickets »

The serene Autumn grounds of Winvian Farm in Morris will set the scene as best-selling author Martha Hall Kelly discusses her newest novel, The Martha’s Vineyard Beach and Book Club on Friday, October 3 at 12:30 pm. Admission to this event includes a talk by Martha Hall Kelly, who will speak about the inspiration, research process, and writing timeline related to her new work of historical fiction, as well as tea service including light refreshments. Enjoy the fall foliage at the historic luxury resort and extend your experience by purchasing a tour of Bellamy-Ferriday House & Garden as an add-on.

Event attendees will also have the opportunity to purchase copies of Kelly’s newest book as well as her other novels: Lilac Girls, Lost Roses, Sunflower Sisters, and Golden Doves. Raffle prizes and a select assortment of gift shop items from the Bellamy-Ferriday House & Garden will be available for purchase.

This is the perfect day-trip for history lovers, reading enthusiasts, and friends to enjoy the quintessential New England Autumn while enjoying delicious tea and delving into the history of Kelly’s books in her place of writing inspiration – the Bellamy-Ferriday House & Garden.

View event details » 

As we approach the 250th anniversary of the founding of our nation, historic sites like ours offer a unique and tangible way for the public to connect with the everyday experiences that shaped the American story.

We’re excited to introduce our new Library Membership, designed to provide communities with free access to seven of our historic house museums along with several other exclusive benefits.

Library members receive:

• Four passes admitting two adults and up to four children (ages 6–18) to any of our open house tour days (children under 6 always free)
• A print and digital subscription to our annual program guide and e-newsletter
• Recognition on our website as a library member
• Opportunity to display your library’s brochures at our museum sites

Participating Connecticut Landmarks museums throughout the state include:

• Bellamy-Ferriday House & Garden (Bethlehem)
• Butler-McCook House & Garden (Hartford)
• Hempsted Houses (New London)
• Isham-Terry House (Hartford)
• Nathan Hale Homestead (Coventry)
• Phelps-Hatheway House & Garden (Suffield)
• Palmer-Warner House (East Haddam)

The one-year membership is just $125. Please don’t hesitate to reach out with any questions. We hope you’ll consider joining us as we welcome visitors to learn, reflect, and imagine in 2026 and beyond.

Click here to enroll or learn more about our public library membership »