When you think of the Bellamy-Ferriday House & Garden, you think of lilacs. Each spring, the stunning variety of lilacs curated by Caroline Woolsey Ferriday and her mother scent the gardens and show off their fleeting blossoms in shades of purples, pinks, and even whites. Walk the grounds and garden with our guide to learn about the long history of the lilacs on the property and how we care for them.
When you think of the Bellamy-Ferriday House & Garden, you think of lilacs. Each spring, the stunning variety of lilacs curated by Caroline Ferriday and her mother scent the gardens and show off their fleeting blossoms in shades of purples, pinks, and even whites. Tour the gardens to learn about the long history of the lilacs on the property and how we care for them.
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.
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.
Join us for a conversation regarding housing in the Black communities of New London and surrounding towns. Our panel will share stories from their youth in New London County and the state of minority housing during their teenage and young adult years. We will discuss how housing changed from adolescence through adulthood, and where they think things went wrong. How can we work in partnership with our communities to fix these issues?
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!
Join us to explore the architectural treasures of Coltsville and the Charter Oak neighborhoods. Discuss the impacts of industry and immigration on these neighborhoods in Hartford, including sites like the Colt Factory and its worker houses, the Church of the Good Shepherd and Parish House, the Capewell Nail Factory, and the Polish National Home.
Get into the “spirit” of the season! Our special, candlelit tours will take you around the property and into the house, all the way up to the dark, shadowy attic. Hear long-standing and new Homestead ghost stories from staff members and spooky encounters reported by guests, as featured on the Syfy channel’s Ghost Hunters.
Join us on this new walk for 2025, as we cover what may seem like familiar geographic ground of Main Street, only with new stories to tell as we celebrate the lives of Hartford Women. Learn about Hannah Bunce Watson, Caroline Hewins, Elizabeth Colt, Beatrice Fox Auerbach, Ann Uccello & Carrie Saxon Perry, Ella Grasso, Katharine Houghton Hepburn, Mary Townsend Seymour and CT Suffragists, the Beecher sisters, and more.
The serene grounds of Winvian Farm in Morris will set the scene as best-selling author Martha Hall Kelly discusses her newest novel, The Martha’s Vineyard Beach and Book Club. Attendees to this intimate event will enjoy a talk and Q&A from the author herself over delicious light refreshments and tea service. Tour of the Bellamy-Ferriday House & Garden available as add-on.
Paranormal Investigation group Eastern Connecticut Paranormal investigated the Nathan Hale Homestead Museum in hopes to connect with residents from long ago. Tonight, join us as they share stories about their investigations throughout Northeastern Connecticut.
Upon a Midnight Dreary invites the audience to explore the haunting world of Edgar Allan Poe. As you move through the space within the Isham-Terry House, you will encounter live performances of Poe’s most iconic works, each brought to life by a different actor in a unique room. From "The Raven" to "The Tell-Tale Heart," each piece is presented as a dramatic monologue, blending poetry and prose with atmospheric staging.
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.
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.
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.