Connecticut Landmarks

10/09/2026

Secure your tickets for a paranormal history event in New London! 🎟️ Join Traci Boiselle, Connecticut Landmarks museum interpreter, paranormal investigator with 18 years of experience with The Atlantic Paranormal Society (TAPS – as seen on Ghost Hunters 📺), and co-founder of “When History Speaks” for a look into the theories, tools, and methods used in paranormal research.

🏠 Traci will explore the history of The Hempsted Houses, including her family connection to the property, and share paranormal evidence and findings from local New London County investigations. This talk will occur at New London Oic.

🕯️Following the presentation, accompany Traci and staff to the Hempsted Houses for a 45-minute guided paranormal investigation of one of New England’s oldest dwellings: the 1678 Joshua Hempsted House. Attendees must be 18+ to partake in the guided paranormal investigation.

🎃 Our “When History Speaks” event takes place directly after our FREE Hempsted Halloween event from 4 pm-7 pm. Get into the spirit of the season and experience the city’s oldest house at twilight. Meet the ghosts of New Londoners who have ghoulish stories to tell—talk with them if you dare!

🗓️ Saturday, October 24
🕕 7:30 pm-10 pm
📍11 Hempstead Street, New London
🎟️ Tickets for the talk only are $20/Person, $15/CTL Member. Tickets for the talk & guided paranormal investigation are $60/Person, $50/CTL Member

The investigation is limited to 15 attendees, so secure your spot now at ctlandmarks.org/historyspeaks

Join Traci Boiselle, Connecticut Landmarks museum interpreter, paranormal investigator with 18 years of experience with The Atlantic Paranormal Society (TAPS - as seen on Ghost Hunters), and co-founder of "When History Speaks" for a look into the theories, tools, and methods used in paranormal resea...

10/09/2026

Preservation in Place at the Amos Bull House, built in 1788 and now the headquarters of Connecticut Landmarks. Historic images courtesy of Connecticut Landmarks.

10/01/2026

We had a great time partnering with our friends at Preservation Connecticut for this video where our awesome Assistant Site Administrator, Jana, explores the history and evolution of our Hartford headquarters - the Amos Bull House!

10/01/2026

🕯️Something is missing at the Manse … and the spirits know where it is !!! 👻

Join us for MYSTERY AT THE MANSE at Bellamy-Ferriday House & Garden - a one-of-a-kind house tour where history, mystery, and a few friendly ghosts come together!

As you make your way through the Manse, you will encounter some familiar - and not-so-familiar - spirits, each with a clue to help solve the mystery of the missing artifact. You will follow the clues, uncover the secrets, and see if you can figure out where the artifact has gone!

🔎 Can you solve the mystery?
👻 Will the spirits help or mislead you?
🌱 And what does the garden have to do with it all?

Come explore the Manse in a whole new way!

🎟️ Tickets are limited, so don’t wait! Purchase your tickets online today:
👉 ctlandmarks.org/mystery

🗓️October 24th at 1PM

10/01/2026

In just five words—“I bot Adam for £85”—Joshua Hempsted recorded the purchase of a human life. Adam arrived at the Hempsted house days later, on this day in 1727. He remained there for the next thirty years, laboring until Joshua’s death in 1758. Yet Joshua’s death did not bring Adam freedom. He remained enslaved before eventually emerging in New London’s tax records with little to his name—the equivalent of just two pounds. Those records tell us what Adam cost, where he lived, but not the full measure of the man himself. Adam’s story cannot be rewritten, but we can honor his and the Jackson family legacy by not minimizing the facts of their truth.

Tuesd 19 fair. I was al day at Samll Foxes apprizing & Lt Buttler. at night I Sent an IndianmgjO-to prison for breaking into Mr Winthrops house ye night before named Walter Weebucks. he belongs to Norwich. Wednsd 20 fair. I was at Samll Foxes Aprizing ye Land, wee finisht wt was Ready. Thursd 21 fair & hot. In ye morning I went into Town & held a Court at ye Prison house. Sentenced Water Weebucks Anjndian freeman to pay a fine of ten Shill & Charges 12s. 5s to me & 7s ye keeper & to make Satisfaction in Service, his Crime was breaking into Mr Winthrops house Tuesday night last. Tallman hath bot him for 1 5 days & to pay in a week —

1 was at Samll Foxes. I bot Adam for £85. I pd down & gave bond for 80 to be pd ths day 12 month & ye Interest, fryd 22d fair. I was at Samll Foxes al d apprizing & Dividing. I had 31b of honey. Saturd 23d fair. I was at Samll Foxes Dividing & writing &c. Sund 24. mr ad pr al day. I was at meetting taken with ye ague yn fever afterwds. Mond 25 fair. I was at Samll Foxes al day Dividing & Ms Knight died. I had my f**t their. Tuesd 26 fair. Supr Court Sat. I was at Samll Foxes till past 3 Clock, wee finished Dividing all yt could be come at. I was at ye funeral of Ms Knight & had ye ague fever vomiting at night. Wednsd 27 fair. Hodsol come fro L. Island. Adam is come ys morn. I was Sumond to attend ye Court to give Evidence in an Action between R. Christophers & Andrew Davise & went but came home Sick before night Ague & fever. Thursd 28 Rain Windy. I took Physick & kept house all d. Ague & fever at night, fryd 29 fair. I kept house al day. Ague & fever at night. Saturd 30th fair. I kept house al day. Ague & fever at night, more moderate.

10/01/2026

🥘 History has a flavor, come discover it next weekend!

⚓🍲 Revolutionary military foodways were shaped by necessity, logistics, and labor.
Continental soldiers were officially entitled to bread or flour, meat or fish, peas or beans, milk when available, and beverages such as spruce b**r, c***r, or a molasses allowance. In the field, however, shortages were common. Durable foods,hard bread, salted pork or beef, salt fish, dried peas, beans, rice, and Indian meal, formed the backbone of an army diet designed to survive transport and spoilage.

But rations were never simply a matter of military planning. Feeding an army depended on farmers, laborers, cooks, camp followers, merchants, local communities, and the people who preserved, transported, and prepared food. When supplies failed, soldiers foraged, relied on local civilians, or went hungry.

The Revolutionary War was fought with muskets, but it was sustained by flour, salt pork, camp kettles, and the often-unseen labor that kept an army moving. 🍞 🥣🔥

🗓 Saturday, October 3rd
🕜 11am - 3pm
🎟️ Admission is FREE
💛 A suggested $10 donation per person supports programming at the Hempsted Houses
📝 Advance registration is available, but walk-ins are always welcome!

09/30/2026

Connecticut Landmarks Members, today's your last chance to score tickets to Mid-Century Christmas at the Isham-Terry House — featuring tours of the halls decked in mid-century Christmas style and the Andrew Wilcox Trio performing songs from "A Charlie Brown Christmas" — before they go on sale to the general public Thursday, October 1, at 10 am! Tickets are limited and this event will sell out, so don't snooze!

https://ctlandmarks.org/event/mid-century-christmas-with-the-ishams-feat-selections-from-a-charlie-brown-christmas/

09/29/2026

✨ “I can resist everything except temptation.” ✨

Step back in time for a theatrical evening of wit, charm, and Victorian scandal! Join us at the Palmer-Warner House on Saturday, October 17th, for an immersive Oscar Wilde event.

As you journey through the preserved rooms of the house, history comes alive around you. Professional actors from Blue Stage productions will bring the space to life with staged party vignettes, dropping you directly into high-society drama, drawing-room gossip, and Wilde’s most famous literary brilliance.

🕰️ How it works:
To ensure an intimate experience, you’ll move through the house in small groups, discovering new theatrical surprises in every room. Enjoy parlor games and light refreshments while you wait.

Spaces are strictly limited, and as Wilde himself said, "The only thing to do with good advice is to pass it on." So pass this on to your favorite culture lovers and lock in your tickets before they vanish!

🎟️ Event Details:
📅 Date: Saturday, October 17th
📍 Location: Palmer-Warner House, 307 Town Street, East Haddam, CT
🎭 Featuring: Live actor vignettes & immersive storytelling
⏱️ 1-4pm
👇 Click the link below to secure your entry into Wilde’s world!
https://ctlandmarks.org/event/prose-paradox-birthday-cake-an-afternoon-for-oscar-wilde/
LivingHistory VictorianDrama

09/25/2026

The potential impact of forecasted severe weather this weekend has required that we adjust operations at several Connecticut Landmarks museums.

• The Bellamy-Ferriday House and Garden will be closed on Saturday, September 26th and Sunday, September 27th.
• The Lilac Girls event scheduled for Saturday has been postponed until Spring 2027. More information will be coming in the next few weeks.
• The Nathan Hale Homestead will be closed Saturday, September 26th and Sunday, September 27th.
• The Coventry Farmers' Market is canceled for Sunday, September 27th. Cheese Day and the Buzz About Honey will take place on October 11.
• The Charter Oak & Coltsville Walking Tour stepping off from the Butler-McCook House & Garden the morning of Saturday, September 26th has been rescheduled for Saturday, October 3rd. Limited tickets are available for the rescheduled event.

While we love opening the doors of history to you, our primary concern is always for the safety of our visitors and staff. We apologize for the disappointment, and hope to see you at one of our historic house museums soon.

09/24/2026

The potential for severe weather this weekend has impacted operations at several Connecticut Landmarks sites. While we love opening the doors of history to you, our primary concern is always for the safety of our visitors and staff.

In collaboration with Martha Hall Kelly and our partner organizations, we have made the difficult decision to cancel this weekend’s Fête de "Lilac Girls" at the Bellamy-Ferriday House and Garden. Tickets have been canceled and refunds will automatically be processed to the cards used for payment. It may take up to 5 business days for the refunds to be reflected in your account. We plan to reschedule the event, most likely for the spring of 2027, though we do not yet have the details. The Bellamy-Ferriday House & Garden will be closed to the public on Saturday, September 26th.

The Butler-McCook House & Garden's Charter Oak & Coltsville walking tour scheduled for Saturday morning has been postponed to Saturday, October 3rd. Ticketholders have been notified, and tickets for the new date may be purchased on our website.

Additional closures are possible as the situation develops. We will post about any changes on our website and social media channels. We apologize for the disappointment, and hope to see you at one of our historic house museums soon.

We're open for tours and public programs! View our Program Guide » Your Home for History