Sip cider and connect with Scotland during a trail walk around the beautiful Palmer-Warner led by Portland & District Pipers. Enjoy local cider tastings from Yankee Cider Co. including a signature “Dunstaffnage” bourbon designed to take you to the Scottish Moors through hints of Highland peat smoke. Bring your friends to test your knowledge in a round of Celtic-themed pub trivia, with prizes for first- and second-place teams.
Experience the home Frederic Palmer and Howard Metzger made together in what they called “the wilds of Connecticut.” Explore the property's Colonial-era history to understand why Palmer was interested in purchasing the home with his mother in 1936. Learn about the collection of letters and diaries, photographs, historic furnishings, and decorative arts used to reconstruct their lives together. When weather permits, explore the grounds to see the constructed landscape Metzger and Palmer created.
Accomplished stone artisan, gardener, and horticulturist Andrew Pighills discusses the evolution of stone walls and structures from colonial times to present day, and how they fit into the garden and broader landscape past and present. Born in Yorkshire England, Andrew received formal training with The Royal Horticultural Society at Harlow Carr Gardens. Andrew spent thirty-one years building dry stone walls in the Yorkshire Dales and English Lake District and continues his work here in the U.S. as a professional member of The Dry-Stone Walling Association of Great Britain.
Experience the home Frederic Palmer and Howard Metzger made together in what they called “the wilds of Connecticut.” Explore the property's Colonial-era history to understand why Palmer was interested in purchasing the home with his mother in 1936. Learn about the collection of letters and diaries, photographs, historic furnishings, and decorative arts used to reconstruct their lives together. When weather permits, explore the grounds to see the constructed landscape Metzger and Palmer created.
New Englanders have always shown particular care for their dearly departed. Explore the burial customs, traditions, and superstitions around death in the region from colonial times through the 19th century with Dean Massey, an urban planning researcher at a university in Boston. Following Massey's talk, a short walk to the Warner Cemetery will offer participants the opportunity to closely examine epitaphs and iconography up close, as well as engage in a thoughtful discussion about the rich diversity of New England’s remembrance practices.
Connecticut Landmarks is proud to honor the LGBTQ+ community by welcoming visitors to explore “TRANSPARENT: Creating Advocacy Through Art” by Samuel Avery Giardina. This exhibition is free to the public and is open during the Palmer-Warner House's open hours through June 28. Located in the Palmer-Warner Barn, this exhibition explores personal identity, transformation, and the profound impact of the LGBTQ+ community throughout history.
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.
Engage in a thought-provoking community panel discussion on queer independence. This panel will offer the opportunity to connect with diverse voices from across generations as they reflect on past, present, and future LGBTQ+ resilience, self-determination, and community support. Don’t miss this opportunity to connect, learn, and celebrate the strength of queer identities.
Join us for our second annual Pipes & Cider event, where the rich traditions of Scotland come alive! Enjoy barrel-aged cider and whiskey tastings from Yankee Cider Co. Coreyanne Armstrong and the Portland & District Pipers will perform a lively set, accompanied by a short trail walk around the beautiful Palmer-Warner grounds (weather permitting). Bring your friends and test your knowledge with a round of pub trivia. One of the three trivia categories will feature questions based on the historical fantasy television series, Outlander, which takes place in Scotland. Attendees are encouraged to dress in Outlander attire. Prizes will be awarded to the top two teams. Raise a glass, embrace the music, and celebrate the magic of Scotland!
New Englanders have always shown particular care for their dearly departed. Explore the burial customs, traditions, and superstitions around death in the region from colonial times through the 19th century with Dean Massey, an urban planning researcher at a university in Boston. Following Massey's talk, a short walk to the Warner Cemetery will offer participants the opportunity to closely examine epitaphs and iconography up close, as well as engage in a thoughtful discussion about the rich diversity of New England’s remembrance practices.
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.
At our third annual Pipes & Cider Festival, the rich traditions of Scotland come alive! Enjoy local beverage tastings from Fifth State Distillery and Yankee Cider Co., who will feature a signature “Dunstaffnage” whiskey cider crafted to transport you to the Scottish moors with its hints of Highland peat smoke. Immerse yourself in the stirring sounds of Mystic Pipes and Drums, the Middletown Police Benefit Association (MPBA) Pipes & Drums, and the Moodus Drum & Fife Corps, as well as the art and music of Rick Spencer and Dawn Indermuehle. Bring your friends and test your knowledge with a spirited round of pub trivia and visit the historic crafters village with Big Bear Trading Company, Wedges of Time Coffee and Textiles, and others. Raise a glass, embrace the music, and celebrate the magic of Scotland.
Participants are invited to drop in for a chapter and explore interpretive materials that connect Wilde’s world to Frederic Palmer and Howard Metzger’s mid-20th century community. Light refreshments available between reading sessions. Virtual experience available -- please register for details!
This special program honors Oscar Wilde’s birthday with an afternoon of literary entertainment featuring readings from his most celebrated works, including his sparkling social comedies and thought-provoking essays. Blue Fire Stage Company will perform, and light refreshments and cocktails will be available.