On Historic Gardens Day, sixteen historic gardens around the state welcome you to explore a variety of beautiful garden styles from different periods. Enjoy free admission to visit the gardens of three participating Connecticut Landmarks sites! Advance reservation for house tours via the link below for each property. Gardens will be open rain or shine.
Bellamy-Ferriday House & Garden
Roam the beautiful, landscaped areas of our 10-acre property. Over a 70-year period, Eliza Ferriday and her daughter, Caroline, created a garden showcasing their love of roses, lilacs and peonies. Today, the garden is maintained with the aid of the Watertown Garden Club. Bellamy-Ferriday joined CT Historic Gardens in 2004 as a founding member. Our staff will be on hand to answer questions.
Book a guided tour of the museum interiors »
Butler-McCook House & Garden
Inspired by their European travels, Eliza Butler and Mary Sheldon adapted an original plan by the Swiss landscape architect Jacob Weidenmann for their Victorian ornamental garden on Hartford’s Main Street. The formal parterre garden features low boxwood hedges with beds of roses, perennials, and annuals connected by winding stone paths. It is lovingly cared for by the West Hartford Garden Club. Butler-McCook joined CT Historic Gardens in 2004 as a founding member.
The Butler-McCook House & Garden is thrilled to be featured on this year’s Historic Gardens Day poster! We will host this year’s poster contest winner artist Michelle Hawran on-site, who will be painting in our garden. An exhibition of her work will be on display in the Aetna Gallery of the Butler-McCook House from June-October.
Book a guided tour of the museum interiors »
Phelps-Hatheway House & Garden
The grounds of this 18th-century home on Suffield’s historic Main Street feature a formal parterre garden designed by landscape architect Mary Wells Edwards, a large herb bed, and scattered flowering shrubs. Suffield Garden Club members will be on hand to answer questions about the garden’s history and its inventory. Phelps-Hatheway became the 15th member of CT Historic Gardens in 2018.
Book a guided tour of the museum interiors »
New for 2024!
Flower Pounding Workshop
Sunday, June 23, 10 am–12 noon
Phelps-Hatheway House & Garden
$25/Person; $20/CTL Member
Phelps-Hatheway staff will guide you step-by-step as you create a unique work of art with blooms grown by Suffield’s own Willow View Farm. This workshop is sure to bring a smile to your face as you work those muscles to make a masterpiece!
CTL Members, sign in to our ticketing system to access your benefits.