White Sails, Black Hands: The African-American Experience on Connecticut’s Waters

City Pier New London, CT, United States

Spend an afternoon with Hempsted staff on the Thames River Heritage Water Taxi to learn about New London's history. This tour explores the stories of a fugitive slave, Revolutionary patriot, Black governors, whalers, the Amistad, and more. See areas related to Hempsted family history, the early Mamacoke settlement, native fishing grounds, and the sites of colonial ferries, Fort Trumbull, and other important landmarks.

$20 – $30

Coventry Farmers Market

Nathan Hale Homestead 2299 South St, Coventry, CT, United States

The Coventry Farmers’ Market on the grounds of the Nathan Hale Homestead is an experience not to be missed. This market carries the tradition of being the largest farmers’ market in the state, featuring some of the best of Connecticut-grown, Connecticut-made products in one of the most unspoiled countryside settings in the state. Each week, the staff of the Homestead will lead a family-friendly activity to connect the history of the site with the theme of the market. Admission to the Nathan Hale Homestead is by regular admission and is not included in the Farmers’ Market program.

Free

Butler-McCook Open Tour Saturday

Butler-McCook House & Garden 396 Main Street, Hartford, CT, United States

Visit the Butler-McCook House & Garden is 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.

$5 – $12

Canceled: Fancy Painting Finishing Class

Palmer-Warner House 307 Town Street, East Haddam, CT, United States

Between 1790 and 1840, Americans began to incorporate a worldview interest in a new decorative style called "Fancy." The movement began in Europe and emphasized interior and architectural details with brilliant color, gilding, marbling, and graining. Join interpreter and historical woodworker John Baron and staff for a workshop and lecture on these historical finishing techniques that were so popular.

$75

Coventry Farmers Market

Nathan Hale Homestead 2299 South St, Coventry, CT, United States

The Coventry Farmers’ Market on the grounds of the Nathan Hale Homestead is an experience not to be missed. This market carries the tradition of being the largest farmers’ market in the state, featuring some of the best of Connecticut-grown, Connecticut-made products in one of the most unspoiled countryside settings in the state. Each week, the staff of the Homestead will lead a family-friendly activity to connect the history of the site with the theme of the market. Admission to the Nathan Hale Homestead is by regular admission and is not included in the Farmers’ Market program.

Free

Phelps-Hatheway Open Tour Sunday

Phelps-Hatheway House 55 S Main St, Suffield, CT, United States

What could be more pleasant than a summer afternoon in the country? A summer afternoon at the Phelps-Hatheway House & Garden, of course! Once again, Phelps-Hatheway’s museum will open for one day each month for tours of its collections. Come and immerse yourself in the 18th and 19th century as staff introduce you to the families who graced our site for hundreds of years. View the gardens and stop by our Visitor’s Center for charming gifts and a peek at the newest installation by artist Lynne Centore.

$5 – $12

Sunset Sounds Concert Series | Jesse Hameen II & Elevation

Butler-McCook House & Garden 396 Main Street, Hartford, CT, United States

Bring a lawn chair and a picnic dinner and enjoy music in the lovely setting of the Butler-McCook historic garden on the Richard P. Garmany Fund Music & Education Terrace at the Amos Bull House. Celebrate a featured artist’s exhibition opening at the Amos Bull & Butler-McCook Houses and experience free tours of the first floor of the Butler-McCook House & Garden.  

Free

Armed with Sheep & Spinning Wheels

Nathan Hale Homestead 2299 South St, Coventry, CT, United States

Learn how women used clothing and textiles as a political tool during the American Revolutionary War. Jessica Green, Nathan Hale Homestead staff member and public historian, will discuss how the American Revolution triggered political branding through homespun products and the boycott of British fabrics

$10

Canceled: Talk & Tour | Using Your Voice with Joseph Grabarz

Bellamy-Ferriday House & Garden 9 Main St N, Bethlehem, CT, United States

Our "Talk & Tour" series concludes with Joseph Grabarz, lobbyist and former State Representative (1989-1993), as he inspires us to use our voices to effect change in the world like Caroline Ferriday. Grabarz shares fascinating highlights from his career promoting health and civil rights issues. Learn how he represents various organizations in the halls of government, and how you can reach out to your legislators to make a difference.

$10 – $20

Coventry Farmers Market

Nathan Hale Homestead 2299 South St, Coventry, CT, United States

The Coventry Farmers’ Market on the grounds of the Nathan Hale Homestead is an experience not to be missed. This market carries the tradition of being the largest farmers’ market in the state, featuring some of the best of Connecticut-grown, Connecticut-made products in one of the most unspoiled countryside settings in the state. Each week, the staff of the Homestead will lead a family-friendly activity to connect the history of the site with the theme of the market.

Admission to the Nathan Hale Homestead is by regular admission and is not included in the Farmers’ Market program.

Free

Music in the Hatheway Barn: Pizzazz Strings

Phelps-Hatheway House 55 S Main St, Suffield, CT, United States

What would make a Sunday afternoon in a beautiful, historic barn more lovely? Adding an international ensemble of celebrated professional musicians! Pizzazz Strings will provide elegant music amidst the soaring timbers of the Hatheway Barn on this late summer day.

Free

Isham-Terry Open Tour Sunday

Isham-Terry House 211 High Street, Hartford, CT, United States

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.

$5 – $12

Hartford’s Historic South End Walking Tour

Butler-McCook House & Garden 396 Main Street, Hartford, CT, United States

Visit the historic South End of Hartford, exploring the architectural treasures of Coltsville and the Charter Oak neighborhoods. Discuss the impacts of industry and immigration on these neighborhoods in Hartford, includign sites like the Colt Factory and its worker houses, the Church of the Good Shepard and Parish House, the Capewell Nail Factory, and the Polish National Home.

$5

Canceled: Connecticut Freedom Trail Celebration

Hempsted Houses 11 Hempstead Street, New London, CT, United States

Celebrate the ongoing growth of the Connecticut Freedom Trail by helping to create the Hempsted Houses’ Freedom Garden by painting a freedom rock, and learning more about notable abolitionists like Marth and Mary Hempsted and the roles they played in advocating for the complete abolition of enslaved people on a special tour of the Joshua Hempsted House. The Connecticut Freedom Trail, founded in 1996, documents and designates sites that embody the struggle toward freedom and human dignity and celebrate the accomplishments of the state's African American communities.

Free
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