In 1915, Eliza Ferriday established a formal parterre garden on the Bellamy-Ferriday 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. Join former Bellamy-Ferriday Horticulturist George McLeary for a discussion of the history of our roses, their types, and how we care for them.
In collaboration with the Suffield Historical Society and Kent Memorial Library, join staff to learn the stories of individuals who resided on Suffield’s North and South Main Streets who have long been erased from memory. A reception will follow in the Visitor Center.
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.
Visit the Butler-McCook House & Garden, the only 18th-century home remaining on Hartford’s Main Street, for a guided tour to learn about the McCook family, who loved music, art, and travel through explorations of the museum’s collections which include paintings, Japanese samurai armor, furniture, and toys.
Join an easy 1.5-mile walking tour on the sidewalks of Hartford’s historic Main Street from the Butler-McCook House & Garden to the G. Fox Building to learn how the city has evolved through its significant structures: City Hall, the Wadsworth Atheneum, the Travelers Tower, the Old State House, Center Church and the Ancient Burying Ground.
Step inside the museum to be transported to the 18th and 19th centuries and learn about the lives of those who built, lived in, and preserved the house. Understand the role of Connecticut in the American Revolution, examine colonial era trade and commercial exchange, consider land and real estate speculation and Indigenous people’s land rights, and observe the ways we display wealth and status in our homes. Stop into the visitor’s center for the Pastel Paintings exhibition by artist Gina Trusiewicz.
Interested in learning more about the history and importance of preserved plant species known as herbaria? Stop in the visitor center to pick up a signed copy of In the Herbarium and meet its author, Maura C. Flannery. Flannery is professor emerita of biology at St. John’s University and research affiliate in the A. C. Moore Herbarium at the University of South Carolina.
Join us as we kick off another summer of great music in our historic garden! 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 take a free tour of the Butler-McCook House's first floor! Concerts happen rain or shine. In case of inclement weather, the concert will move indoors to the Amos Bull Community Room.
Join Connecticut Landmarks for a Juneteenth celebration with the City of New London, highlighting the African American history of the Hempsted Houses and the surrounding New London neighborhood, with partners.
Bring your project, a comfy folding chair or blanket, and enjoy the grounds of the Bellamy-Ferriday House & Garden! Grounds fees will be waived for those who have knitting projects with them.
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.
Explore this beloved family home to learn about the booming industries and culture of Hartford in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, understand medical practice and public health at this time, and learn more about the Isham and Terry families through the items they owned.
Join us on Wednesday, June 18th as our staff present at Preservation Connecticut's Talking About Preservation series! As one of Preservation Connecticut's preservation partners in the state, we are excited to present about our nine historic house museums, four stewardship properties, and preservation work underway across various sites (plus events coming up this summer!). We will also share updates on the 18th-century Réveillon wallpaper conservation project at the Phelps-Hatheway House & Garden in Suffield. This is a virtual program and registration is required.
For over 100 years, the Bellamy-Ferriday Garden and its diverse collection of flowers have been maintained, first by the Ferriday’s, and now by staff, to ensure the preservation of the Ferriday’s legacy and the ecological health of the region. Join Todd Mervosh, noted expert on invasive plants in our region, for a discussion of how to identify, remove, and prevent invasive plant species in your garden.
New London joins cities worldwide on the longest day of the year to celebrate the annual Make Music Day. This event is open to all audiences and will have a special focus on African American music, such as freedom songs, songs to support justice, songs for protection, as well as songs of praise.