Welcome, Visitors!
Enjoy Hill-Stead for its French Impressionist masterpieces and historic architecture, poetry and music in the garden, lively festivals, or as a quiet place for a woodland ramble. When you visit, you are likely to see walk-in visitors, a school class from inner-city Hartford, a tour group from a major U.S. art museum, artists painting en plein air and volunteers weeding in the garden. Behind the scenes, Hill-Stead is governed by talented and dedicated Trustees and Governors and managed by an experienced staff—but the museum would have no real purpose without its ever-expanding audience.

We are continually impressed by the variety of visitors who pass through the museum’s doors, drawn to Theodate Pope Riddle’s vision as an architect, stories of her family and the Gilded Age, the inviting warmth of the house, the Monet Grainstack paintings and other items in the renowned collections. Often, we receive phone calls from visitors who want to express their appreciation, or are spontaneously moved to make charitable donations. We hope that you, like them, will learn and have fun here, and decide to help further the stewardship of this distinctive National Historic Landmark. Some of the best ways to get involved include volunteering as a Hill-Steader or in the Farrand garden, becoming a member, or donating to Hill-Stead’s Annual Fund.

The American Association of Museums awarded Hill-Stead full professional accreditation in 2003—a milestone for the organization. Additionally, we completed our $2.5 Million Exterior Restoration projects, repairing and painting the 33,000- square-foot Pope Riddle house and theater; restoring 174 original shutters; constructing handicapped access to the Sunken Garden; rebuilding the 1/4-mile drive; and adding blazes, signs and a visitor map to our woodland trails. In June, 2008 we inaugurated the newly completed Grass Court Event Platform with a stunning sunset wedding reception. Upcoming projects include Interpreting the Landscape at Hill-Stead — Plaques, Maps & More, and restoration of the property's original Dairy Barn. The museum's major book, Hill-Stead Museum: Architecture, Decorative Arts, Painting, Landscape, will be published by Princeton Architectural Press in Fall 2009. Watch for these and other exciting developments!

Return often to this beautiful place and to our website for updates on programs and activities, capital improvements, volunteer opportunities and more. Let us know how we can make your visit easy and fulfilling!

Sue Sturtevant

Director & CEO