Help us plant the seeds for the future of the Bellamy-Ferriday Garden with our special zinnia seed campaign! Sponsor a zinnia seed for $10 and a garden stake with your name will be placed next to the spot where the seed is planted. Your sponsorship comes with a garden pass to return to see the plants in bloom.
Stop into Phelps-Hatheway's Visitor Center for the Pastel Paintings exhibition by Gina Trusiewicz. With a longtime interest in art, Trusiewicz developed her craft in an online class during the pandemic. Her interest in nature, animals, and plants, combined with her certification as a Master Gardener, has inspired the work for this exhibit–capturing everyday moments, and the feelings they evoke, in West Hartford or right from her own backyard.
On view during open hours, this exhibit will celebrate the power of written communication in shaping LGBTQ+ identity, activism, and community. From love letters to zines and personal diaries to protest flyers, these artifacts tell the stories of resilience, connection, and creativity that have sustained LGBTQ+ communities across generations. Using the Palmer-Warner House’s collection and loaned items, this exhibit will weave together your stories with the stories of the house’s previous residents, Frederic Palmer and Howard Metzger, who created a safe space together in East Haddam. This exhibit aims to not only showcase the power of the written word in building community, but also celebrate the resilience, love, and solidarity within the LGBTQ+ community.
The Progress Flag Field honors the legacy of Frederic Palmer and Howard Metzger, who created a welcoming space for friends, family, and the LGBTQ+ community. This installation serves as a place for reflection, with each flag representing the diverse identities within the community. It honors those who fought for equality and celebrates unity, resilience, and the importance of safe spaces.
The 9th annual Flag Field for Heroes will be on display at the Nathan Hale Homestead July 6-26, 2025. Presented in partnership with the Coventry Veterans of Foreign Wars and the Coventry American Legion.
Bring a lawn chair and a picnic dinner while you enjoy music in the lovely setting of the Butler-McCook House & Garden. Plus, be sure to stay for a free tour of the house’s first floor! Audio tours are available via the IZI.Travel app for the historic garden. The Amos Bull and Butler-McCook Houses will also celebrate featured artist exhibitions. Concerts happen rain or shine. In case of inclement weather, the concert will move indoors to the Amos Bull Community Room.