Amid the many challenges of 2020, we are immensely grateful for having a community like no other. As we look towards a better tomorrow, we appreciate your support in these final weeks of the year. Your contributions to the Annual Fund will continue to bring vibrant arts and educational programming to life at our treasured Hill-Stead, enriching the lives of future generations.
Hill-Stead Receives “We’re Pulling for You” Grant from SBM Charitable Foundation, Affording East of the River Students Free Educational Opportunities
The SBM Charitable Foundation (SBMCF) has awarded Hill-Stead a “We’re Pulling for You” grant for $9,783.00 in support of the “Art, Poetry, and History at Hill-Stead Museum” program for area students in East Hartford, Vernon, and Manchester. It will supplement the initial $24,130 grant awarded in 2019, unexpectedly upended due to coronavirus.
Dr. Anna Swinbourne says, “SBM Charitable Foundation’s generous funding is the backbone of our educational programs. Hill-Stead is deeply grateful for SBMCF’s continued commitment to supporting educational programs through its funding for art, history, and poetry at our diverse and dynamic institution.”
Very quickly during the early days of the pandemic, Hill-Stead became my sanctuary and favorite destination. When area walking trails became over-run with crowds, Hill-Stead opened its stunning grounds to the public. [Some days] I’d simply wander on the trails and try to forget about viruses and politics and racial injustice for an hour. I always drove back home with my emotional and physical batteries recharged.Anne Stanback, Member and longtime Hill-Stead program attendee
Hill-Stead’s 152-acre estate was once home to a working farm and six-hole golf course. Our founder, Theodate Pope Riddle’s prized cows, enjoyed the lush grass. Her father, Alfred, delighted in walking out of his office to tee off in the late afternoon.
Now, the estate welcomes the public, including dog-walkers, families, and schoolchildren alike. Hill-Stead recently hosted a free community Halloween on the Hill event for more than 600, unlike anything we have ever done before. Concerts on the West Lawn filled the summer with music, laughter, and community enrichment, bringing the live arts to over 2,500 patrons. Hill-Stead’s grounds are open daily for everyone to enjoy, and they have been well-loved this year! To learn more, please visit our Annual Fund page.
The holidays aren’t slowing down our construction project at Hill-Stead—the past two weeks have been busy, noisy, dusty, and at times, a little smelly!
Woodworkers and painters are repairing the siding and trim along large swaths of the exterior. At the same time, the infrastructure and piping for sufficient basement drainage are being laid underneath the area known as the kitchen garden.
What is less visible to our visitors is the interior work, including the new, upgraded, and ADA-compliant restrooms. (We are very proud that our plans include more than double the number of bathrooms required by code.) For a central bank – of men, women, and family rooms – in the structure’s northwest corner, the new walls and plumbing have been put in place, and the ductwork is currently being installed.
I am happy and blessed to be able to strengthen the vocal cords in this beautiful setting. It brings positive energy to have all the colors of Mother Nature surrounding me.Ta’u Pupu’a, professional football player turned operatic dynamo (pictured at far left below)
Good morning, Friends.
We’re thrilled to start this important day of giving by thanking the two women who have come together to pledge $7,500 as a matching gift for our fundraising efforts today. If we can raise that amount, they will match it!
Women joining forces makes me think of the capstone of our From the Porch series (the 30-event, 12-partner, and 100+ performer extravaganza): the tribute to Ruth Bader Ginsburg, which we created in partnership with Opera Connecticut and titled “We Sing in Her Honor.” On the grounds of an institution made by one pioneering woman, Theodate Pope Riddle, we celebrated another, the notorious RBG, through her favorite form of art, opera!
I hope you had a beautiful Thanksgiving! In my last message, I announced that two generous donors are championing Hill-Stead in tomorrow’s national initiative of GivingTuesday by offering a challenge of $7,500 as a matching gift. Continue reading →
Farmington students are empowered to learn everywhere they go!
by Nancy Nelson
Students from Noah Wallace Elementary School in Farmington, CT, participated in their first Outdoor Days on two glorious fall days on November 5 and 6 at Hill-Stead’s beautiful 152-acre property.
I hope this crisp November day finds you well. Looking ahead to Thanksgiving, the entire team here would like to express our immense gratitude for your continued passion and positivity for our beloved Hill-Stead.
This season, we are thankful that the museum remains open with the most stringent safety measures in place. Better yet, we are delighted to invite you to celebrate the holidays at Hill-Stead! We have joined hands with Ballet Theatre Company (BTC) to reimagine The Nutcracker. Winter festivities will include a memorable Through the Tulle exhibition paired with ballet performances in the Carriage Porch. Our masterpieces, such as Degas’ Dancers in Pink, will join both live dancers and stunning costumes as they together festively enliven the rooms of the historic house.
by Rachel Culter, Education Specialist and Resident Artist
In recent years, an incredible partnership has been growing between Girl Scouts of America and Hill-Stead! Our beloved cultural hub’s education team has been offering them a bevy of activities to help the Girl Scouts work towards or earn their badges. This fall, several troops visited the House Museum, where they learned about its history and found inspiration in founder Theodate Pope Riddle’s story. Then, they sketched, painted, and hiked the scenic landscape.
Special Holiday Tours of Through the Tulle will take place on Saturdays & Sundays from 1 to 5 pm, between November 28 – December 20. Tickets for these tours must be purchased in advance.Learn more
Members | FREE Adults | $18 AAA & Seniors (62+) | $16 Students | $12 Children 6-12 | $10 Children under 6 | FREE
Museum Members are always FREE! Not a Member? JOIN NOW
We recommend that all visitors make reservations in advance RESERVE TICKETS
Special Admission Programs
As a Blue Star Museum, Hill-Stead offers active-duty military families FREE admission from Memorial Day through Labor Day. Blue Star Museums is a collaboration among the National Endowment for the Arts, Blue Star Families, the Department of Defense and museums across America.
Hill-Stead is a part of the Museums for All program and offers FREE admission for up to four people to with the presentation of a SNAP Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) card. Museums for All is a cooperative initiative between Association of Children’s Museums and Institute of Museum and Library Services to offer a signature access program that encourages families of all backgrounds to visit museums regularly and build lifelong museum habits.
Hill-Stead is a member of the Connecticut Art Trail. Discover Connecticut’s artistic treasures with the Connecticut Art Trail Art Passport. The $25 Art Passport includes one admission to each of the 20 member museums per year. Explore diverse, quality collections rich in history and heritage, including European masterpieces, American Impressionism, ancient art and contemporary culture.
Please note:
There are no self-paced tours at this time.
There are no school group visits at this time.
The safety of staff and visitors is our highest priority.
To ensure a safe, inspiring experience for all, we’ve adopted new health and safety protocols. You’ll find everything you need to know about your next visit below.
Social distancing best practices are in place. All persons entering the building will be required to wear a face mask covering at all times.
Always wear a facemask and make sure it fits over your nose and mouth
Practice safe social distancing. Please keep six feet between yourself and others (outside your party)
Please wash/sanitize your hands at our sanitizing stations
A limited number of visitors will be permitted at one time
A one-way flow of traffic will be required in the House
Contactless payment is available and encouraged
Please let us know if you or another member of your party have traveled outside of Connecticut in the past 14 days or experiencing fever, chills, cough, or any other symptoms
I hope this crisp November day finds you well. Looking ahead to Thanksgiving, the entire team here would like to express our immense gratitude for your continued passion and positivity for our beloved Hill-Stead.
Hill-Stead is a member of the 