Ever wonder what tools are necessary for ghost hunting? Join staff for a 30-minute demonstration about the tools and activities paranormal investigators use to detect or debunk the spirit world. Afterwards, test your knowledge by breaking into two groups to explore the Homestead and try your hands at paranormal investigating.
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.
Last year, you joined us to celebrate the start of conservation work on our 18th-century wallpaper. This November, we invite you to return to celebrate the conclusion of this wonderful project with Phelps-Hatheway staff, Studio TKM Associates, and special guest speakers who will address the unique nature of the papers and the importance of the conservation work. As daylight wanes, we’ll toast again to this unique project and the future of Phelps-Hatheway’s exquisite collection. Tours of the Phelps-Hatheway House included with purchase.
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.
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. 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.
Experience the holidays as the McCook family would have celebrated them and hear stories from their rich memories, along with a display of special items from the museum’s collection, as we close out our 2025 season. America's Tapestry will also be stitching at the Butler-McCook House & Garden during this open tour day!
Taking place during the Butler-McCook House & Garden's Open Tour Day, stitchers from America’s Tapestry will be joined by local artists from Hartford Stitch for an afternoon of fun, creativity, and history. Join us to stitch history together! America’s Tapestry is a nationwide community project featuring 13 hand-embroidered panels, one for each of the original colonies, depicting diverse stories from the American Revolution. Each panel is crafted by volunteers from New Hampshire to Georgia, and visitors are invited to contribute their own stitches to the Connecticut panel. All materials will be provided! While you're here, explore the museum’s holiday display and its permanent collection, which includes beautiful embroideries and period archives that bring the revolutionary era to life.
Suffield’s South Main Street bears a particular charm as the holidays approach. Join our costumed guides as they transport guests to the time before electricity illuminated our homes to see the “grand dames” of this historic thoroughfare festively lit and decorated to celebrate the season. Offered in collaboration with the Suffield Historical Society.
Suffield’s South Main Street bears a particular charm as the holidays approach. Join our costumed guides as they transport guests to the time before electricity illuminated our homes to see the “grand dames” of this historic thoroughfare festively lit and decorated to celebrate the season. Offered in collaboration with the Suffield Historical Society.
This holiday season, we will celebrate with Julia and Charlotte Isham in the 1950s and 60s as the Isham-Terry House is transformed into a mid-century delight! Enjoy colored trees, tons of tinsel, and starbursts galore during special tours of the house. Tours will be available on the hour, with the last tour at 3 pm.
Enjoy Vince Guaraldi’s holiday classics “Linus and Lucy” and “Christmastime is Here” from A Charlie Brown Christmas, featuring the Andrew Wilcox Trio. Entry for the performance will be at 1:45 pm. Step back into a mid-century wonderland during special tours of the Isham-Terry House available as an add-on at 1 pm and 3 pm.
Visit the Hempsted Houses to join stitchers from America’s Tapestry and local artists from Hartford Stitch for a morning of fun, creativity, and history. Join us to stitch history together - no experience required!
Join Bob Van Dyke, director of the CT Valley School of Woodworking (Manchester, CT) as he demonstrates the making of more common inlays that were used in 18th-century furniture shops. Guests will have the opportunity to study pieces from the Phelps-Hatheway collection.
Stop into Phelps-Hatheway's Visitor Center for the Season of Change art exhibition by Laurie Tavino and Ray Pioggia. In this exhibit, photographic and hand-rendered images in color and monochrome depict scenes and themes from locations throughout Suffield - a number of which are views that no longer exist.
May 4th marks the 200th birthday of Frederic Edwin Church. Not only was Hartford the birthplace of this renown Hudson River School painter, but the city was also integral to the birth of American art thanks to Daniel Wadsworth and his patronage. On this walk, we'll discuss Church and other Hartford-connected artists, such as Cole, Bierstadt, Wheeler, Tryon and more. Following the walk, the 2 pm tour of the Butler-McCook House will focus on the Butler and McCook families as art lovers.